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Posted by Fran .

Other on team #166, Team Merrimack, from Merrimack High School and Unitrode/R.S. Machines.

Posted on 11/8/99 9:01 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: Selection of students to attend competitions posted by Susanne Krussell on 11/8/99 6:50 PM MST:




Everyone on our team has the opportunity to go provided they can afford it. We barely raise our fees plus paying for 4 chaperones and t-shirts, so the kids fundraise and candy sales count for their own personal credit and then they must make up the balance. The school requires that teachers sign off on each student and grades of C are required. The team requires active participation in any area...some just want to do animation and that is ok, some do it all, some 'just build' but no one goes unless they actively do something. We take 30 to Disney usually but we have a team of 45. Those who don't go usually have personal reasons like a job or prom or state band committment ot parents who object to kids going to Disney on their own or maybe they couldn't raise the money. We have only forbidden 1 or 2 kids who didn't keep up their end of the bargain and we have found money to help 1 or 2 who did a lot but couldn't raise the money.

Fran
Team 166



: Justin, You make some excellent points.

: If you can't take 30 or 40 kids with you, then why have 30 or 40 kids on your team? What a terrible disappointment for a kid. It will break down any team building efforts you make throughout the year. This can make for very ugly competition between the kids, some subtle,and some blatant. A unified team working toward a common goal is what to work for. When they know they're all going, they will all work together better.

: And after several years of FIRST experience, I can tell you that an 'A' student does not always equal a good team member. Don't neglect to look at those 'B' and 'C' students. 'A' students are good on paper, but frequently are not risk-taking survivors, nor are they necessarily mechanically inclined, or creative at design.

: I didn't see that anyone has mentioned parents yet, but they can be a serious issue. Unless you have your requirements spelled out in great detail and in advance, you may come across the parent from hell if their kid doesn't get to travel. Yet another reason to choose only the number of kids you can really support.

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