Do Non-School Teams Have An Advantage?

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

2706 is a community based team and we have definitely seen the pros and cons of not being associated with a school.

The biggest challenge for us was finding space to meet, build, and store things. Three very distinct problems to solve. A school based team would likely have a built-in supply of classrooms, storage space, and a machine shop. We had none of these things. Our meetings took place at various City of Ottawa facilities including the local public library and community center, and storage has been a combination of borrowed storage cages from the community gym, and mentor garages/basements/vehicle trunks.

Students also find it easier to go to school and simply stay there to work on robotics, rather than have to arrange transportation for themselves after school to get to one of our meetings.

On the plus side, when we do any kind of publicity, it is nice to be able to say that we can accept high school students from anywhere. And our partnership with the local library has been very enthusiastic and fruitful, so there is some built in visibility there.

Meet, build, and storage are not necessarily easier for school based teams. For the first 7 years of my team's existence, we had no space at the school. We built out of parents garages, donated space, and from space we rented. We even had to rent a closet off-site during the off-season to store stuff, all at the team's expense. Building was off-site as well. So you really can't take that for granted for school based teams.

Most people here seems to be under the impression that there are just two types of teams - school based and community based. They assume that in these areas their team is exactly like every other team of their type. That just isn't true. Every team is different, and poses different challenges. They key is in the relationships. The advantage is going to go to whichever teams form the best relationships with their school(s) and community. It's as simple as that.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Most people here seems to be under the impression that there are just two types of teams - school based and community based. They assume that in these areas their team is exactly like every other team of their type. That just isn't true. Every team is different, and poses different challenges. They key is in the relationships. The advantage is going to go to whichever teams form the best relationships with their school(s) and community. It's as simple as that.

Was thinking about posting this exact thing, but you nailed it. It's all about the relationships.

[Chief Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Meet, build, and storage are not necessarily easier for school based teams.

Most people here seems to be under the impression that there are just two types of teams - school based and community based. They assume that in these areas their team is exactly like every other team of their type. That just isn't true. Every team is different, and poses different challenges. They key is in the relationships. The advantage is going to go to whichever teams form the best relationships with their school(s) and community. It's as simple as that.

I am going to echo Jon on much of this. Just because a team is school-affiliated does not clear up the storage issues. My shop is packed full of Robotics stuff throughout the year - and during the build season the space (and the students) run like a carousel of school projects and team projects.

Communication is key. For those that struggle with their school, I strongly suggest that regular/annual meetings with the school admins as well as presentations in front of the school board are great opportunities to build bridges.

FRC 4607 started as a club team that has retained our own budget. We raise our own funds (school pays for nothing) and we actually bring in more tools to the shop than I can purchase from my school budget to stock my shop. We spend around $2500 each season purchasing power tools, machines, consumables, etc. We look at is as 'rent' for the use of the space.

Each year Becker School District has continued to grow the partnership with our club. We straddle the line of self-funded and school sanctioned. In other words we pay our way, the school admin gets to tout a strong STEM activity.

For the teams that struggle with scheduling, I suggest that you meet with the Community Ed department (in MN CommEd is a BIG part of schools) and see if you can work out a schedule long before the build season begins.

We even host The GreenHorns Ri3d in our shop for 4+ days at the beginning of each season. COR Robotics also runs their summer camps in our space as well. All of this is scheduled through Community Ed.

Communications is key - and going in to each season with a great plan/schedule plus a lot of patience pays dividends.