New School / New Opportunity: FIRST or VEX?

[F Elliott]

Hi Everyone!

By day, I am an AP Physics teacher. This year I started a FIRST FTC team at my current school as an after school activity. It was a phenomenally fantastic experience for all of us. I'm hooked!

I may be going to a different school next fall (urban, Title I, at-risk...). Part of the appeal is they are extremely interested in starting a robotics program. They've already identified $7000 in grants they're confident they can get and they're asking "what more do we need to do". Their enthusiasm is high and they're serious.

They applied for and received approval for a PLTW Program in Biomedical Science starting in 2015-2016 school year. If I join their team, they want to add the Engineering component to their PLTW program (I am dual certified to teach engineering and related subjects). As you may know, the VEX Robotics Design System is the exclusive robotics platform offered to PLTW schools. In addition, every PLTW classroom has access to participate in the VEX Robotics Competitions.

I like the continuity of the FIRST FLL-->FTC progression. Their middle schools would benefit immensely from FLL. I also doubt they would ever have an FRC team so the VEX-->FRC benefits I've heard FRC coaches talk about would not be a big win. However, being able to leverage PLTW funding and resources cannot be ignored.

What would you do? FIRST only? VEX only? Both?

Many thanks!