[sovierr]

I appreciate your comments. We took a slightly different approach, and I think it may be useful to share.

Our FRC team (SPAM - 180) has been going for 10 years now. With the increased interest shown by students we had a problem. Our FRC team was getting too big for all students to become engaged. Our rookies especially spent most of their time watching and being intimidated by veterans, the bot, and the whole experience.

We decided that we would start a Vex program as a "JV" version of SPAM. Beginning this year, rookies are required to spend 2 years on our Vex team. At least 2 years of FLL experience can allow them to skip 1 year of Vex.

Needless to say, the expeiment was a huge success. The Vex students learned more this year then they ever would have as FRC rookies. As they move up to FRC, they should know enough to really contribute to the team.

As an annecdote demonstrating the success, we had all the Vex students get together with the FRC students for the FRC kickoff and the 3 brainstorming sessions following. The Vex students (remember all rookies) presented concepts and drawings of potential mechanisms and systems that were on par with any of the veterans.

I agree with you that FVC is a great program, but it doesn't have to be an alternative to FRC.