2016 Minnesota State Champs

[Ginger Power]

Originally Posted by DareDad

I have to disagree there. It needs to be the first regional, not the last. By using the first, it benefits teams that come prepared rather than teams that react and have the funds to react. This is something all teams can do regardless of finances they can design and build something unique.

Or to put it more simply, at the first regional the robot is the one the team built. At the second regional the robot has had bits grafted on based on what they saw worked for others.

That reaction that you are talking about is called engineering. It takes a lot of hard work, and yes, money. Money takes a lot of hard work to get too. Why are we more concerned with creating a fair environment (which we've already determined isn't actually fair), rather than rewarding hard work. As a byproduct of rewarding that hard work, we get to see more competitive teams at the state championship.

This is an engineering competition. Engineering isn't necessarily building "unique", and "fancy". Engineering is systematically determining the best way to approach a problem, and then doing so in a scientific way. Engineering within FIRST certainly isn't contained within a 6 week week period. The most significant improvement in performance for most teams happens at competitions. The idea that this would looked upon in a negative way by some is mind-blowing.

My team may have competed in 2 events this year, but it'll be tough to do so every year. I'm not making these arguments out of self interest.