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Unread 24-04-2009, 10:27
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FRC #0148 (Robowranglers)
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Re: Correlation, Causation, and the Isolation of variables in FiM District Structure

Sean,

Thanks for pulling these statistics together. After reading many of the posts regarding the "success" of FiM and the district model, it seemed to me that the prevailing sentiment was that is was successful, based on the success of the MI teams at the Championships.

While I agree that the added matches and events allowed our teams additional driver experience and comfort under the pressure of elimination matches, I don't think it is un-reasonalbe to think that 67 or 217 would have had as much success in Atlanta if they only competed in the "normal" two events this season. (No disrespect meant to 68 or 247...just addressing the stats above)

My subjective thoughts on the district model is that everything worked out great. The largest difference that I noticed between the districts and the regional style events we attended, was the intensity of the match schedule a the districts. At both the MSC and FIRST Championships, Thursdays seemed to drag on a bit too long. Also, the hour+ between matches seemed a bit excessive, after the short breaks between matches during district play.

Granted, we had a very trouble free year in terms of robot maintence at competitions. If the robot was not as robust or was less reliable would my opinion be different? I can't really say. When I asked our pit crew, they said it wouldn't matter.

So from the statement above, the bagging w/8 hour window, the increased # of matches, and the small awards banquet were all positives in my opinion.

As for the lower cost events with less A/V presence. I can honestly say, I did not notice any less of an overall experience at a district than I did at the MSC.

As for negatives, I really am not sure. I tend to focus only on the smaller picture when I am at an event....the robot, the next match, strategy, etc... I don't notice any of the larger issues going on around the competition. I am sure that is a flaw that I should or should not address, depending on how focused my team needs me to be.

As was stated prior to the season, there needed to be some objective measure of the district model. I hope someone has statistics from this season on match turn around, volunteer output, etc...other than the $/match stats that could/was stated before the season ever started.
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