Rules Question: What defines a member?

[aaeamdar]

From team 1719:

We have, on our team, a member who is in 8th grade. The rule for who can be a driver and who cannot says effectively that the driver must be a pre-college team member. Our question is, what does "member" mean? We've asked our rules people, searched here, and the rules, and usfirst.org, but can't seem to find anything.

In other words, can someone on the team be 5 years old? What exactly defines a member?

Thanks in advance from Team 1719 for your help.

Paul Dennis
Team 1719
Baltimore, MD

[EricH]

Originally Posted by aaeamdar

We have, on our team, a member who is in 8th grade. The rule for who can be a driver and who cannot says effectively that the driver must be a pre-college team member. Our question is, what does "member" mean? We've asked our rules people, searched here, and the rules, and usfirst.org, but can't seem to find anything.

In other words, can someone on the team be 5 years old? What exactly defines a member?

The exact definition of "member" is up to the team. A kindergardener could drive, if they were a member and you let them. 8th grade has been the lower limit on my team sometimes (I joined as one). So, choose your driver. And if you still are wondering, Q&A it and let them tell you.

[Freddy Schurr]

The barer of bad news is that the 8th grader can not drive. As per the rules and what this competition is about, it is for high school students only. This competition was design for the high school level engineering students. High school students are somewhat mature and they can understand the rules and regulations from FIRST. Also, that why FIRST created FFL and VEX for the middle school students. They is no problem having them on the team but they only be a spectator.

[paulcd2000]

Freddy, where does it say in the rules it is for high school students only? we couldn't find it at all. That's one of the main reasons we made this thread

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Freddy204

The barer of bad news is that the 8th grader can not drive. As per the rules and what this competition is about, it is for high school students only. This competition was design for the high school level engineering students. High school students are somewhat mature and they can understand the rules and regulations from FIRST. Also, that why FIRST created FFL and VEX for the middle school students. They is no problem having them on the team but they only be a spectator.

Quote me a rule or Q&A that says 8th graders can't be team members. Is there one? No. Yes, FIRST is for high school, but just what is high school? Most people figure 9th-12th grade, but some folks figure 10th-12th. Some teams allow 8th graders based on maturity--if they are mature enough for high school, they can be on. So, if an 8th grader can be a team member, he can drive. Assuming the team allows him to, of course, but that is a team decision.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by EricH

Quote me a rule or Q&A that says 8th graders can't be team members. Is there one? No. Yes, FIRST is for high school, but just what is high school? Most people figure 9th-12th grade, but some folks figure 10th-12th. Some teams allow 8th graders based on maturity--if they are mature enough for high school, they can be on. So, if an 8th grader can be a team member, he can drive. Assuming the team allows him to, of course, but that is a team decision.

Furthermore, there have been middle school teams in FIRST. If you can't have anyone driving, then how have they competed?

[FlyingDutchman]

well just tell the 8th grader that there is all ways next year and to keep on practicing his/her driving skills + I don't know if a 9th grader is considered a high school student but at my school it is so just tell him/her to keep in it and get better. That would be my thought

[JBotAlan]

Originally Posted by Freddy204

The barer of bad news is that the 8th grader [b]can not drive.

Gosh, I hate to directly contradict someone...it doesn't usually bode well...but...

I e-mailed FIRST on this one and was told that any pre-college student could be part of the team, just as long as it was OK with the coach. I no longer have this e-mail because it was last year when I asked, but you can e-mail them yourself and see. I'm pretty sure you'll get the same answer, though.

It would be pretty interesting to see a kindergartener driving...he'd need a booster to even see over the driver's station... someone who knows their way around Photoshop could make this a reality

But seriously, FIRST does not have a problem with slightly younger kids being on the team. Go ahead and encourage away, and get them excited!

Good luck this season,
JBotAlan

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by aaeamdar

From team 1719:

We have, on our team, a member who is in 8th grade. The rule for who can be a driver and who cannot says effectively that the driver must be a pre-college team member. Our question is, what does "member" mean? We've asked our rules people, searched here, and the rules, and usfirst.org, but can't seem to find anything.

In other words, can someone on the team be 5 years old? What exactly defines a member?

Thanks in advance from Team 1719 for your help.

Paul Dennis
Team 1719
Baltimore, MD

Paul,

In the past, we have had 8th graders as part of the FIRST team. However, IFI and VEX did not exist then...

There is absolutely nothing in the rules that states that you can not have a young driver. However...

The pressure on the operator's shoulders is immense. I have seen seniors who did not have the maturity to perform well under pressure. I have also seen freshmen who managed themselves extremely well on stage.

It really depends on the character of the individual.

Regards,

Mike

[Mike Schroeder]

Okay i dont want this thread to get out of control, here is the deal, someone (preferably the team asking the question, can go to the FIRST Q&A forum and ask this question) until then i am going to close this thread, when there is an offical answer from FIRST, PM me or any other moderator and we can post the results

Deal....


Deal