You should to keep in mind that the goal of FIRST from the very beginning has always been to 'inspire' students...not necessarily teach them. Of course, in the course of designing and building your robot, whether you do it, or the engineers do it and you watch, you WILL learn...but the goal that Dean Kamen had in mind from the beginning was to inspire you to want to do what the engineers do and become what they are.
And if watching them engineer and build parts for the robot creates inspiration in you...then FIRST has done its job. Would it be ideal to have ALL students have SOME hands on experience with their robot? Of course...but that's not a requirement with FIRST.
Some teams do have financial advantages over others...but so do some businesses in this world. FIRST is a smaller version of a real life company. Learn from what you're doing. Be inspired to be more, think more and accomplish more.
And good luck to you (all) this season!!!!!
-Lori-
