Quote:
Originally Posted by Bethie42
Just tonight on CD I saw a post from an FRC team that can now only afford to do FTC. I'm really sad for that, and for all the other struggling teams out there right now. 
|
Why do you think it's sad when a team chooses a more affordable program than FRC? I've mentored FRC, VRC, and FTC teams for the last seven years, and I personally believe that all of them can achieve the goal of inspiring students to pursue further education and careers in STEM fields. In a lot of ways, FRC makes the least sense (more expensive, more expensive per person, fewer chances to play, least sustainable, and lowest hands-on engineering ratio) of the three. This isn't FRC-bashing, as the program does have some unique positives, but I think it is wrong to assume that going to VRC or FTC is a step backwards.
I am far happier, and our students are thriving, in a VRC program that is well-funded, active, and successful. I've been on an FRC team on a shoestring and it isn't much fun. VRC and FTC are legitimate alternatives to FRC, especially for programs interested in value for the money invested. This also applies to BEST, MATES, and a variety of other programs, by the way. I know CD is FRC-centric, but it doesn't hurt to consider alternatives.