Minimum age for FRC?

[gblake]

Originally Posted by snoman

Seems hard to find.

Answer = Newborn

PS: Searching CD for the three words minimum, age, and FRC will find answers and discussions.

[SenorZ]

http://www.firstinspires.org/

Grades 9-12, ages 14-18

Simple.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by SenorZ

http://www.firstinspires.org/

Grades 9-12, ages 14-18

Simple.

Unless something has changed recently, the ages listed on that part of the FIRST site are recommendations, like the recommended ages on games and toys; and are not rules that must be strictly followed. The rules are in the manuals each year (some rules will start being published on web pages, but we aren't there yet).

[Whippet]

It's up to the team. The game manual in the past has only required drive team members to be "pre-college," and is typically interpreted to mean "has not yet completed a high-school level diploma." Everything else is fair game. I started FRC in 6th grade and was a human player in 7th grade under the 2011 rules with no issues. If your team is okay with it, then FIRST is generally okay with it.

[Munchskull]

Originally Posted by Whippet

It's up to the team. The game manual in the past has only required drive team members to be "pre-college," and is typically interpreted to mean "has not yet completed a high-school level diploma." Everything else is fair game. I started FRC in 6th grade and was a human player in 7th grade under the 2011 rules with no issues. If your team is okay with it, then FIRST is generally okay with it.

That is intresting. I know that if you are too young (11 is the age i heard) they will not let you sign up in STIMS.

[robot7600]

Originally Posted by Munchskull

That is intresting. I know that if you are too young (11 is the age i heard) they will not let you sign up in STIMS.

Whenever i was that age i didn't have any issues signing up on stims.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by SenorZ

http://www.firstinspires.org/

Grades 9-12, ages 14-18

Simple.

FIRST doesnt limit students being in the program starting at grade 9.
STIMS allows students to officially register from age 13 on their site.

[dirtbikerxz]

Originally Posted by waialua359

FIRST doesnt limit students being in the program starting at grade 9.
STIMS allows students to officially register from age 13 on their site.

I've never tried, but can a parent register a student under the age of 13?

[Munchskull]

Originally Posted by dirtbikerxz

I've never tried, but can a parent register a student under the age of 13?

How would they? The only way to register is STIMS.

[Mike Marandola]

This is the reply to an email I sent a while ago

[EmileH]

3467 let me on as a 7th grader in the 2013 offseason, and I went on to operate for the team my 8th grade year in 2015.

The decision to let on younger members is completely up to the team.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Mike Marandola

This is the reply to an email I sent a while ago

I need to find the rule somewhere about students participating that are "pre-college." I've had a couple of students in the past participate at age 19 before but still in high school.
It is not uncommon for our school to get immigrants from other countries, who are held back a year or 2 when they attend school here in the U.S.

[wireties]

For teams considering taking students less that 15 or before 9th grade I recommend you have policies, procedures and infrastructure in place to shield/protect/shepherd the younger students. The difference in maturity level from 13 to 18 is sometimes huuuge. Throwing 9th and 12th graders together is already difficult and adding middle schoolers to the mix is daunting.

We've had some trouble with such things, regretted it later, and decided no middle schooler can join unless his or her parents will come with them to every meeting.

My two cents!

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by wireties

For teams considering taking students less that 15 or before 9th grade I recommend you have policies, procedures and infrastructure in place to shield/protect/shepherd the younger students. The difference in maturity level from 13 to 18 is sometimes huuuge. Throwing 9th and 12th graders together is already difficult and adding middle schoolers to the mix is daunting.

We've had some trouble with such things, regretted it later, and decided no middle schooler can join unless his or her parents will come with them to every meeting.

In our case it might help that we meet at the local library, completely outside school hours. That means that there's fewer curious onlookers who "just happened to walk by" - if you're there, then you wanted to be there and you probably convinced mom or dad to drive you. After a few meetings, we find that the students that keep coming back are the ones who really want to be involved and are willing and ready to learn. If you give them the opportunity to step up, and give them the benefit of the doubt, I bet at least some of them will surprise you.

But, yes, absolutely put policies in place to protect students, including rules on when, where, and how they are allowed to work with tools, equipment, etc.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by waialua359

I need to find the rule somewhere about students participating that are "pre-college." I've had a couple of students in the past participate at age 19 before but still in high school.
It is not uncommon for our school to get immigrants from other countries, who are held back a year or 2 when they attend school here in the U.S.

In the 2016 game manual, it's in section 3.1.1, T19, and the glossary. Note that "pre-college" is only used to define the drivers and human player and going to the question box.

The 2016 Admin manual only uses this term in section 6.1, in dealings with the Judge Advisor regarding awards questions.

Except for these few cases, there really doesn't seem to be anything mandatory about ages in the rules.