Keep FIRST in Michigan (FiM) from killing FIRST Lego League

[Allison K]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

So, what you're saying is that this issue cannot be quantified or proved to be an issue using anything other than anecdotes and opinions?

Disclaimer - I've always thought the FLL age going through 14 was wrong, an 8 yr old cannot compete against a 14 yr old. FTC has always felt weird to me getting shoe horned in a space that directly competes with two programs. If I were to be granted unlimited power to make decisions on these programs I'd probably have FLL (8-12), FTC (11-15) FRC (14-18) as the suggested ranges which closely matches what FiM is doing from the sounds of it.

I think that it can be, but I alone am not in a position to compile that information. I'm particularly interested in...

• how does disallowing middle school students from FLL impact the depth of experience students are able to get from that program?
• does the impact (if any) on depth of experience negatively impact the value in the FLL for individuals?
• what percent of coaches feel like their 10 year old/5th grade grade students have mastered FLL?
• do coaches feel that the opportunity to master one level of program before moving on is important?
• what percent of coaches feel like their 11-12 year old/6th-7th grade students have grown out of/become bored with FLL?
• what percent of coaches feel like their 11-12 year old/6th-7th grade students are ready to handle the challenges of FTC?
• what is the impact of forcing students up a level if they aren't emotionally and socially mature enough?

If 13-14 year olds were at the center of the debate I wouldn't feel nearly as strongly about the changes (we'd switch them to FTC/VRC and call it a day), but most of my kids affected by this change are 11. Around 25% of them are still 10 (turning 11 sometime between June-October) but they'll be in 6th grade in the fall, so FLL isn't an option. Have most 11 year olds really grown out of FLL? My anecdotal perspective on this is that my 11 year old 6th graders are finally hitting the point where they can be successful in the FLL robot game and more or less navigate the research project independently without major frustration.