[Jillian B.]

Alright. This is a pretty harsh approach for people who just don't get it. It's a last resort. I'd suggest your team coach or advisor carry this out.

Sometimes students just don't get what the FIRST is all about, even as much as you bring in veterans, speakers, show old matches, etc.

I've used this method with FIRST LEGO League when I had problems with the kids not understanding this isn't mini BattleBots, Robot Wars, etc.

Have them build something. Even just a strategy type of thing. Make them put some work into it. Anything. If you live an area with snow, have them build sleds out of cardboard and ductape (good engineering project anwyays). Get them real excited about using them, seeing whose is fastest, etc.

Before using them, have the advisor say (s)he's decided that the team isn't going to use them. Just going to tear them up and throw them away. Have him/her ask for reasons why they shouldn't to convince him/her otherwise.

The reasons the students are going to give will be the same reasons as to why they will build a robot for FIRST. Hard work, lots of thought, effort, and gracious professionalism. If they didn't build it for these reasons, you are in the wrong robotics organization.

Hope this helps. It's harsh. But it works.

~ Jill