New Team Shadowing

[Andrew Schuetze]

Originally Posted by Beth Sweet

attending the kickoff with your team, and have them design and make a robot. Have them try to do it in 6 weeks, but if they can't, they can't.

Now thats an idea I had not thought of doing. It will satisfy their urges to build without the pressures of failure.

Originally Posted by Beth Sweet

pit crew and have them practice things like scouting and especially cheering! Once they've done all this, have them try out an offseason event.

Once again, an idea for what they can do while at the competition. We could draft them as scouts since we are helping them out and it is always nice to cheer

Originally Posted by Beth Sweet

If they try things this way, they shouldn't be overwhelmed, plus they'll have a robot to show off when they first start out. As I'm sure you know, it helps to have an extra robot hanging around for things like driver tryouts or presentations.

Excellent points that I will share with them as I continue to sell this idea. Driver practice and protobot to play with early in the following year's build.

[Steve W]

If possible why not follow the example of the Niagara FIRST trio.Have 2 teams build 2 robots the are the same. They still get to compete, learn and get excited and your team will get a chance to watch the other team grow. I believe that this is the best way to have teams with limited mentor resources get going.

There is the issue with fund raising which can be the toughest part of FIRST. Good luck!!!!!!!!

[EricH]

I've seen suggestions like this around before, but here goes: Invite this new team to be part of your team for a year or two, then let them split off when they want. They get experience, you get more members for a while. Win-win scenario. Of course, if the other school is in another district, it might not work out.

This works the same as having them "shadow" your team with the difference that they are part of your team.

[Andrew Schuetze]

Originally Posted by EricH

, then let them split off when they want. They get experience, you get more members for a while. Win-win scenario. Of course, if the other school is in another district, it might not work out.

Okay, you hit it dead on. 499 is a multicampus team already within our district. This new contact is in a neighboring district and that would be too many hassles for budget concerns.

So, I see shadowing as the best chance to get them free experience without the pressures of getting a working robot out their first year. I should have stated that in my original posting. I received two pm with that suggestion already

Keep the good ideas flowing


APS