[personal commentary, based upon publicly observable facts and trends in regards to FIRST]
I really have to disagree with FIRST about their dropping of the Vex Robotics Design Platform for their mid-level robotics competition from 2009 onward. Of all their programs, the FVC had one of the best chances to grow to thousands of teams (and become as big as if not bigger than the FIRST LEGO League), and inspire the greatest possible number of students. I know at this point I'm just preaching to the choir, but I certainly wish FIRST executives would read ChiefDelphi the way IFI does.
I think the problem right now with FIRST is that so far, they haven't really "failed", as in we-hit-rock-bottom-and-begun-to-dig failure. This season came close with the multiple compounding problems with Banebots, rule changes, and scoring software. But everything they've done so far has always kind of worked out in the end, and judging from their actions, they almost seem to have an 'invincible' mindset that they can never fail.
And right now, that seems to be getting in the way of them being able to see the reality of the potential of the [former] FVC.
‘You may not realise it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.’ - Walt Disney
Honestly, while I certainly don't agree with their actions to drop the Vex platform from their list of competitions, I almost want to see this be a decision that will be regrettable for FIRST. I want to see another competition use the Vex platform and grow larger, and
inspire more students than the eventual new platform of the FTC. I want to see FIRST realize that maybe they should consult the FIRST community before they make decisions, and any decisions made should be about "How can we inspire even more students?"
Because in the end, everything about FIRST boils down to inspiring students. And any decision that would lead to less potential, and a smaller number of students being inspired certainly wouldn't be a positive one for their bottom line.
As for alternatives, there are also a bunch of non-FVC Vex competitions out there already. Not that I'm biased or anything *cough cough*, but
WPI's Savage Soccer competition is currently one of the largest and has been around for over 10 years! (They used to use modified RC-cars before the days of EDUbot/Vex.)
And with that in mind... If there is one thing I learned from FIRST, it is that when presented with a challenge, creative thinking and some sound sense will get you a solution to any problem in life. So that only means one thing...
I guess it'll be time to start the SECOND Vex Challenge!
Science and
Engineering
Can
Overcome
New
Dilemmas
Long Live Vex!
