Preventing "Garbage In, Garbage Out" in FRC

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by MICHAELABICK

I agree with the idea of challenging people, but remember part of innovating is copying. For example, it is fine to copy the way other teams have done a WCD. However it is then important to challenge the students to understand why teams do a WCD like that.

Copying is the most sincere form of flattery.

I've always been extremely impressed with teams that copy and then give homage to the team that the copied from. Essentially it's an admission that "Your design is so awesome that we had to use it!"

As an example, how many teams copied the ramp launcher in 2011? The stinger in 2012?

Heck, Winnovation's lift system in 2010 forced us to do a rethink that got us to the Newton finals, 1 match away from Einstein that year.