Ethics of 2 teams building 2 identical robots

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Guys,
It's not about the robots it's about inspiration. If we (111) had the money and sponsors to register (and build) another robot design we have more than enough students that would participate. Yes, many of the mentors would support both teams, we might need a few more in key areas like software and mechanical design. But the push is to get more students involved and inspired. Any team decisions should be based on the effects to students. When we cause a smile to turn to a frown, it is our responsibility as adults to figure out what we did and fix it. On the surface I think the original issue may have been the wrong decision but I am only hearing a small part of it and certainly only one side. However, if the mentors felt that bringing along two other students would improve the overall experience for everyone, then it may have been justified. It is not easy to mentor one team let alone two, so some errors are likely to be made.
I am committed to this program because I know it works. It gets more students (than the school average) into college, it makes better adults of the students we mentor, it makes better employees of the mentors that participate, and it makes better schools in our communities.