Guess I should post my two cents as well. The MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education ) and the Marine Science Technology National ROV competition was a great experience as Dr. Cameron mentioned. It truley was the experiences in FIRST that gave us the experience to be successful in the competition. Sometimes when teams "like us" win, some people might think it is a fluke, but we have had a pretty long streak of flukes then. I hope more teams decide to do more than just the FIRST competitons, stuff ouside of FIRST. Use the skill you have gained to demonstrate to others what a team that has been through the FIRST experience can do. We also do full size electric vehicle conversions, pumpking launching trebuchet (Catapults), Amusement park Electric trains, Underwater robots and host the lego state finals as well as mentor the local feeder school teams. Share the wealth!! The bottom line is that it is just plain fun!! Check out these two sites, enjoy!
www.freewebs.com/falconroboticsrov
http://www.phxhs.k12.az.us/education...sectionid=3670