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

[Peter Chen]

The issue in Michigan isn't really about which teams FiM gives grants to. The issue is which ages FiM will allow to participate in FLL (and FTC). Here's part of the e-mail that was sent out by FiM:

Date: Mon, May 18, 2015 at 3:31 PM
Subject: Starting FTC teams in your middle schools, FLL in elementary

Teams
As the FIRST website opens for registration of FLL and FTC, I want to clarify how the Michigan progression differs from the US FIRST progression. Teams inside of Michigan must follow our progression. This is the only way to have team within Michigan.

Here is our progression:
FRC High School only
FTC Middle School only (as defined by your school district)
FLL Late Elementary (4th grade to end of your elementary schools)
Jr. FLL Early Elementary K-3

While no new middle school FLL teams may be started, there are some middle school FLL teams that have been around since before we started FTC. By next year (Sept 2016) they will all have to be aligned.