Off-topic rant: I get tired of the somewhat constant FIRST bashing of new ideas and programs on C.D. Appearantly the only good thing FIRST ever did was start FRC and then they are supposed to do nothing but support the veteran teams with infusions of cash and not change any of the control systems or elements of the game as change is bad. Can we just ask for folks who want to repeately fan the flames of lack of $$$ for veteran FRC teams, and how VEX is better then FTC to look for appropriate times and places to make those posts other than everything new about FIRST?
On topic rant: Valid points have been made by FIRST alumni in colleges that support FRC teams or are involved in other and possibly higher degree of difficulty engineering challenges. I've not done the research but my guess is something very far from 100% of colleges and universities in America have engineering students, or other science/mathematics, business, workforce program traininig certifications, junior colleges/technical schools actually have students compete in such programs as several of you have posted. This is not to say that FIRST is 100% perfect and in a competition with outher programs.
Please re-read a quote from an undisputed authority of FIRST and STEM type competitions Dave Lavery,
Dave on VEX verses Tetrix
Dave on Coopertition Patent
Final point in my rant:
How is it that the VEX college challenge is not controversial or such a threat to FRC and VEX high school teams that it has existed as a pilot and now in it's second year of competition? Is there a double standard or just ignorance?