Okay, a
brief history as I know it--
I'm an alum of Shenendehowa HS and 250/20...
My father is one of the head engineers on 20.
Shenendehowa HS has been involved in FIRST since 1992, and for yeaaars was sponsored by RPI. (Then Nynex, then Bell Atlantic, then Verizon, then GE...)
During the "musical chairs" of number assignments in 1997-1999 team 20 became team 250 (after being 102 for a year also).
Later on, team 250 picked up a 2nd High school.
Then this year, due to some differences, Shenendehowa HS split from Team 250 and restarted their old partnership with RPI.
FIRST gave them back the number 20.
The mentors from Shenendehowa convinced RPI that FIRST rocks (yay) and RPI decided to start a rookie team, as well as fund team 20... that is where 1493 comes into the mix.
So...
20 has a solid base of engineering support and a veteran HS teacher (Paul Kane who has done this for 13 years now).
1493 is just finding it's feet this year with help and mentorship from 20.
How will RPI students become involved in the future?
Hopefully... by turning 1493 into the next powerhouse of the northeast.
I'm not certain, but I don't think 250 has RPI support. I think they are still a G.E. team (I'm embarassed to say, I've lost touch with them, and their website hasn't been updated in a while). Dez might know more.
So...
If you are interested, stop by the team 20 or 1493 pit at UTC and Atlanta. I'm sure they will have information. Also, you can contact them through their website.
JVN
PS - if you stop by the 20 pit, you may get the chance to meet my father! (John A. Neun)
Feel free to blame him for how I've turned out.
Also, let Paul Kane know we expect 13 more years. (or more)