|
Re: Championship 2007 - Atlanta - What Needs To Be Improved
Some things here reflect our experiences at regional events, but echo some of what others have been saying about Atlanta, as well.
- I'd like to see a bit more consideration given to the pit layout. There were gigantic aisles between divisions and very narrow aisles within them. A column sat in the middle of the aisle in front of our pit, making it very difficult to get around. Perhaps it'd be possible to have "robot lanes," that people can avoid so your ankles aren't destroyed by overzealous kids with a heavy robot cart.
- Leave the practice fields within the pits assembled and open to teams until elimination rounds begin! In both Portland and Atlanta, we would have liked to give our alliance partners some practice climbing our lifts and had difficulty doing so because the practice field was disassembled.
- If the field is running ahead of schedule, STOP. There is no way for teams to know that the event is ahead of schedule and by running through matches so quickly, we're receiving even less of the precious time we need to repair and maintain the robots.
- The kids on our team would've liked the opportunity to spend some more time speaking with the judges. They felt that a single, short visit by one judge didn't give them enough chance to explain what they loved about their experiences and were upset that no others came by.
- In the future, can all teams avoid the destruction of entire Amazonian rainforests or something by printing about ten thousand fewer flyers reminding me to wear safety glasses?
- Carpet the major passageways within the pit, at the very least, if not the whole thing. Trade shows can manage it, so let's do the same. It'd make things a bit easier on everyone's feet and the aesthetic of the entire pit will improve dramatically. Make it seem like we're supposed to be there -- not that someone left a loading dock unlocked overnight and we snuck in.
- Place signs at the end of each aisle within the pit that list the range of team numbers represented. Instead of what you'd see in the supermarket -- cereal, cookies, soda -- it'd show, "Teams 503-353".
- The Galileo ranking information did not update at all between the start of lunch and nearly the end of the day, Friday. This is not so good for team morale (or scouting) when you've lost the matches that are displayed and won all of the rest.
- Navigating the hierarchy of volunteers and staff at the event can be baffling and waste enormous amounts of time. FIRST ought to consider having a 'team advocate' or similar available that is intimately familiar with the staff and volunteer positions and responsibilities at the event and can help teams with some of the more challenging problems and questions that sometimes come up during the event.
- Some folks need to remember that, despite all of the money spent and the hours worked, this is just a game and chill out a little bit. I left the event with a far lesser opinion of some teams and individuals than I had upon arrival. I should not have to make excuses for other teams' behavior while interacting with my team members.
I think these are small things, all considered, and the event is run well. It's just not... exciting. This is the second year that we've had members that felt like the Championship is less fun and less worthwhile than the regional events.
__________________
--Madison--
...down at the Ozdust!
Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time. And for a brief moment, we have been among its many passengers.
|