9th garde in the FRC?

[msimon785]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

So by this comment, are you saying that 9th grade is a part of middle school? Clarifying that would be helpful.

Jane

Quoted from Wikipedia:

In Israel, the tenth grade is the first year of the high school, which lasts three years (high school is called Tichon), except in some cities (such as Ramat Gan and Giv'atayim), where elementary school ends at 8th Grade and High School starts at 9th Grade.

It seems that yes, 9th grade in Israel is middle school. I'm actually a little surprised I didn't know that.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by msimon785

It seems that yes, 9th grade in Israel is middle school.

Then, a different approach as far as offering suggestions and advice might be needed. For example - one might state that in countries like the U.S., many of the FRC teams are formed in the high schools, grades 9th - 12th. There are teams that form with members that come from home schools, 4-H clubs, Scouts, and private schools. On some of those teams, middle school students can be found.
--
Are the middle schools and high schools in separate locations and are they in the same districts? By that I mean, here in the U.S., the public schools are in the same school district and the middle schools typically feed into their area high school. So, would a 9th grade student from a middle school automatically join their area high school?

Jane

[Chris Fultz]

I noticed on another team's website that they had "apprentice" members.

Maybe an option could be that 'regular' members are grades 10-12 and then 9th grade students can be apprentices.

//snipped//

[gblake]

If FTC or VRC competition was available, and if I was in 7th-9th grade, and if I was told that my school would only let me compete on an FLL team; I would simply form an FTC or VRC team on my own (separate from the school), and enjoy the result.

I have never met a 7th, 8th or 9th grade student in my travels (I have never visited Israel) who would prefer FLL over FTC or VRC.

I am constantly surprised by the upper age limit on FLL. I know that cost plays a part in that situation; but even so, I remain surprised by how old some FLL students are.

I urge you to consider joining one of the intermediate programs (VRC or FTC). Instead of arguing with the school, help grow STEM robotics in your community by offering a 3rd (and 4th?) choice.

Blake

[elemental]

Originally Posted by gblake

I have never met a 7th, 8th or 9th grade student in my travels (I have never visited Israel) who would prefer FLL over FTC or VRC.

Funny you should mention those grades as I participated in FLL those years. It was a great experience for me and I am unsure that I would have like FTC or VRC better since those programs do not include a research project. (As far as I am aware.)
FLL in 9th grade was a fit for me.

However, I think giving students a choice is ideal since more mechanically-minded students might want a bigger challenge.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by elemental

Funny you should mention those grades as I participated in FLL those years. It was a great experience for me and I am unsure that I would have like FTC or VRC better since those programs do not include a research project. (As far as I am aware.)
FLL in 9th grade was a fit for me.

However, I think giving students a choice is ideal since more mechanically-minded students might want a bigger challenge.

No argument here - I didn't say an older student that prefers the FLL program is wrong - I just don't recall having met any (except possibly through this exchange).

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by gblake

I just don't recall having met any (except possibly through this exchange).

From a judging perspective at various FLL events, I've noticed that the older students consistently act as quiet leaders in various ways - often serving as quiet role models and stabilizers for the team as it moves through the presentations. FLL teams are made up of all sorts of age variations - sometimes with the majority being on the young side, sometimes with the majority being on the older side, sometimes with a mix. The mix usually showcases the team well with the older team members (and their experience) helping the team play to its strengths while presenting.

Just an .02
Jane

[yarden.saa]

our middle school and high school are in the same place behind the same fence but from some reasons the schools are "acting" as seprated schools.
Elementary school - grades 1-6
Middle school - grades 7-9
High school - grades 10-12

There are many students from 9 grade that want to be in the FRC, when I was at 9 grade I was in the FLL but it was a bit easy and not challanging, that's why I want to change it...

[mesamb1]

What you might ask is why your principle is concerned with 9th graders being in FRC instead of FLL. Our team is similar to yarden.saa, with a middle school and elementary school as well as a high school.

We have had 8th graders(the final year of our middle school) on the team when ever they have an interest ever since we began, because our schools sports teams allow 8th graders on their teams in a Jr. Varsity role. The biggest concern was safety.

We solved the issue by requiring middle school students to make sure their parents knew and were okay with them going to robotics after school, and requiring a parent to come along for the trip to a regional(or championship). The parents as a result became more involved in the program(a good thing), and felt safer knowing what their son or daughter was up to. On the team they are then treated as much members as any high school student. In 2010, our 8th grader students designed, tested and refined our award winning kicker completely on their own.

[akoscielski3]

Grade 9 is a great year to introduce students to FRC, in this year we usually train them all in the section they have applied for( ex. mechanical, electrical). If i wasnt in FRC during grade 9 then i would not have been able to do the amount of work i did this year. (most of the robot was made by me)