[Gdeaver]

The First program is working well the way it is. I feel that First needs to continue to support the bottom teams by insuring that no team fails (doesn't ship a bot). They have done a good job with the KOP frame, transmissions, Easy-C and documentation. In my opinion, any team that goes through the 6 week design and build process has won, they just don't realize it sometimes. What does worry me is the direction some teams have been going. There have been several teams lately that have begun using sophisticated state of the art manufacturing process for the robot construction. This is not necessarily bad but can lead to some less than desirable effects. I'm mainly concerned with it causing a disconnect between the students and the mentors. First is all about having adult professional work through the process with the students. Instead of focusing on the wining thing I believe that some effort and guide lines need to be established on how to incorporate advanced technology into the robot and program while keeping the students and mentors connected. Basically First needs to support the bottom and cap the top. Also these are high school students getting their first taste of technology. If things get too sophisticated we risk blowing them away and turning them off instead of turning them on. There are no easy answers and every year this subject should come up.