Large amount of team members.

[Caleb Sykes]

Hmm... I feel like I've seen this topic recently.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...hreadid=130567

[gblake]

Goodness - The answers to the OP's question are sooo easy.

Form two FRC teams, if you are thinking FRC is the only option.

Form many FTC teams if you are thinking FIRST is the only option.

Form many VRC & FTC (& BEST, & SEA Perch, & ...) teams if you are thinking that maybe there is more than one form of student-robotics program that is valuable, and if you are thinking that because the programs have different costs, different annual rhythms, different competition seasons, different classroom/teaching materials, etc. that students' diverse needs are best satisfied by a spectrum of programs.

If there are enough VRC/FTC teams in your area, form a local league.

In the many, many STEM programs (not just robotics and not just FIRST) that exist; many include software/CAD/Animation sorts of challenges. Form teams for those.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Maybe the tough part is finding adults to help the students organize themselves into productive teams and/or to help the students bootstrap themselves into learning/applying the necessary skills. I suggest putting that squarely onto the parents' shoulders once any taxpayer-funded resources are fully committed. These programs do not have to be school-run programs. Hopefully in the future school-based programs will be outnumbered by community-run programs (think of sports leagues, Scouting, etc.).

Another piece of the puzzle is finding money. A VRC or FTC season does cost more than 99 cents per team, but the costs per student are comparable to a season or two of most sports programs. And... students can learn just as much on those teams as they can on FRC teams, if they care to. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that FRC is "best".

So, other than being a bit overwhelmed initially, I think you have a great opportunity to realize the vision FIRST, VRC, and the other programs have. That vision isn't one FRC team tied inextricably to one school. It's many teams that match the many needs and resources of a community, and reach many, many students in that community (in addition to a strong, diverse STEM program within each school).

PS: Be sure to brag to your bosses and local politicians that you, your school, and their community are being wildly successful training a new generation of taxpayers. Voters and politicians alike, like to hear that sort of news.