9th garde in the FRC?

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[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

[davepowers]

Originally Posted by Tom Ore

Sounds like a good time for students/alumni/mentors that have done FRC in 9th grade to give their opinions.

That's my que. . I've been involved with GUS since I was about 3, my father help start the team back in the day, and I use to go to every meeting I could with him. Everyone use to consider my to be a regular student on the team, even so much so that I found my way up on stage one year at nationals for a match back when it was down in Disney. ;]. So I really never understood when adults/mentors mentioned something about kids not being able to be on the team, everyone should be able to be on a FRC team! I can say it significantly impacted my life more than FLL. But I was on the FLL team at my middle school for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, and I'm now in 11th grade and go back to mentor them every year. So I guess what i'm getting at is I don't there should be a set age limit for FRC and FLL, I mean, it should have SOME it's limits, like during the competition, to keep it fair. But I don't believe your principal should set a grade level, where they have to do one or the other! Some kids are really ready for FRC at grade 7, and some still like FLL better at age 18, is all depends on the student. Honestly, I think you'll get kids more hooked on FIRST if you bring them to a FRC event. It just has a bigger impact in my mind than a little FLL competition did. Even just a FRC regional can change a students life forever, I know it changed my life the first time I saw everyone cheering for our team, and it changed my life again the first time I drove a match in a regional, and it change my life again when we won our first Chairman's award, and it changed my life again walking out in front of 1000's of people down in ATL the first year I went, all for the better. Your principal should give the students the choice, it may be a little more difficult this way, but in my mind, it will benefit the kids more, and give them more experiences they will hold onto their entire lives, which is what FIRST is, at least in my mind, founded for.


-Dave

[jason701802]

I'm in a very similar situation to davepowers, my dad became a mentor when our team was founded (I was in 2nd grade) and I went to almost every meeting. I became known as 'Junior', a name that lasted through 9th grade. I became a lot more involved in 7th grade when I wired most of the robot and I became Head Electrician in 8th grade. I was also on an FLL team (that my parents founded) from 3rd through 8th grade.
There is no reason that the 9th graders shouldn't able to be a part of the FRC team. I can understand where difficulties might arise if the 9th graders are in middle school and the middle school is not close to the high school. I don't believe anything should be done to keep 9th graders (or younger) off the team if they want to be a part of it.

[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)

[Eagleeyedan]

Our team has actually had 2 8th graders. One of which is a freshman now and the other will be 9th next year. I don't see any reason for someone at any age to join as long as they are ready for FRC.