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Unread 02-08-2008, 16:54
Cynette Cynette is offline
Worry is a poor use of Imagination
AKA: Cynette Cavaliere
FRC #1511 (Rolling Thunder)
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Re: New FIRST competition structure in Michigan

Best of luck FIRST Michigan with your pilot program!

I for one am excited that FIRST is stepping out of their comfort zone to try something different. Will the next year be problem free? Probably not. Should that stop FIRST from trying at all? I hope not, because that is the same determination that is needed to survive in today's world, the same persistence that FIRST instills in the students it inspires, the willingness to take a risk and try something that many say can't or shouldn't be done.

I'm also excited that there will be even more opportunities to volunteer at FIRST events. That is one of our team's mentors goals this year - to go to other areas and volunteer - and this initiative will give us so many more choices and chances.

I guess I never knew that FIRST was about the regional events being all polished and pretty. I thought it was about the team building, robot designing, robot building, solving problems, getting the future excited about science and technology and engineering. And yes, the regional competitions are key to building that enthusiasm, but I've been to regionals in several venues and know that the enthusiasm and excitement comes from much more that curtains and audio-visual equipment.

Quote:
Originally Posted by waialua359 View Post
FIRST events should not be watered down.
Teachers, mentors, students, know better that its the learning experience that counts. But, do the stakeholders that help support teams know better?

Why do people have huge banners of their sponsors? Many of them are a business first, and anything to help put them in the spotlight in a high quality event with lots of news coverage is important to them.
Its the harsh reality of it all.

Bells and whistles on your robot and the event, puts an audience in awe. At our regional, guess who was on the front page, in the news, and in all other media coverage. The PINK team! Why, because they had an awesome eye-candy robot in addition to looking cool with their pink shirts and having a spirited attitude.
See! It is about the teams, not the venues! Until we hear where the district competitions are going to be, why should we expect that they are going to feel any less like a regional?

And audiences in awe! Is it better to have a packed gymnasium or a massive but sparsely filled stadium? Especially stadiums where you are not allowed to hang those banners where you have proudly printed your sponsor's names?

Quote:
Originally Posted by waialua359 View Post
The Hawaii Regional planning committee spent nearly 30,000.00 for a Friday social event near the beach. It was THE best social even for me who has lived here all my life.
If instead to save cost, we did some watered down version in a much less scenic area with low-budget food, sure.......we could say we saved money, and it isn't the point of FIRST. But, the comments by everyone was that it was an event they would never forget. Heck, one team said it made up for the frustrating day they had earlier.
And based on the attendance of the Hawaii regional, that came out to $10-15 a person. That is not too extravagant, nor is that in indicator of quality of a regional over a district event. Some regionals offer pizza and games for their social, some host them in interesting places, and some don't have one at all. Most charge extra, so while I'm glad that Hawaii's social was awesome, it neither adds to nor subtracts from the events in Michigan.

Quote:
Originally Posted by waialua359 View Post
Having a fabulous experience can only help when teams look to sacrifice year after year in spreading the word of FIRST. We all know that anyone that does FIRST makes huge sacrifices in time, money, and personal life.
You all make the experience fabulous! And honestly I have to say that I’ve had fabulous experiences at tiny off-seasons, big off-seasons, pre-ship rallies, small regionals and big regionals and at the championship event. I really hope that you all aren't sacrificing all of your time, money, and personal life just to go to a super-de-duper regional event. Because FIRST is way more than that. And I’m hoping that this pilot program can bring that FIRST experience to many more students and schools in Michigan.
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Cynette
The best angle from which to approach any problem is the TRYangle
--Chinese Fortune Cookie
Rolling Thunder, Team 1511: The Thunder just keeps getting louder!

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