[Alivia]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

Here's a crazy compromise suggestion: Instead of medals or pins (neither or which you will probably not wear a whole lot) what if FIRST gave out safety glasses or some sort of mini-tool as awards for participation (e.g. at Wayne state district everyone got a participation screwdriver from the college). Chances are the tools-awards would be significantly cheaper than the medals and more frequently used than either the medals or the pins. Plus, if FIRST gave out a different tool every year then the "awards" would be less redundant and hopefully wouldn't just pile up and be forgotten. Additionally, the tools might almost end up conveying the idea: great job for making it through, here. Keep up the good work and let's see you do even better next year! The recipients can would then hopefully make use of their "awards" and by doing so keep the significance and the memories associated with the "award" always in their minds. Not to mention that the extras are still usable for team workshops and such. I admit the idea has flaws, but it seemed kind of, sort of, maybe plausible. Any thoughts?

A problem I see with this is that not every student who is involved with FIRST works on the robot/works with tools. Some students on teams may never pick up a tool during their career. Remember, there are many facets of robotics that draw students in. Animation, writing of the Chairman's Report and Woodie Flowers Report, film crew, other documentation, programming, outreach, fundraising, etc. Therefore, it stands to reason that not everyone would be able to use the tools as much as one might think. The same could be said for medals (i.e. not everyone finds them as meaningful as others) but I think this is especially true for the tool idea. Although safety glasses could be a good compromise, as everyone uses those eventually.