The First Seven Days of the Season

[M.Kong-Sivert]

Usually, we're not allowed even to touch the parts (except to take inventory) until a week into the season. Week 1 is wholly dedicated to reading the manual and designing the robot.

However, this year, we started assembling the kit drivetrain on the first day so that we could at least have a moving box by the end of day 1. This was so the drivers could practice driving, but we were allowed to suggest other drivetrains for the robot. There was some disagreement among team members as to whether this was a good idea. We did end up using the kit drivetrain, so I think it was very useful.

We also made a rule this year, which I think should have been made a rule long ago, that a member is not allowed to participate in design discussions until he or she has read the entire manual. Thus, most of the first day was spent either assembling or reading, but a few people moved onto designing by the end.