AHH! Not returning to FIRST!

[Can't See Me]

Our team isn't doing FIRST this year!!! We're doing VEX instead, which I'm not particularly fond of... I miss FIRST competitions already...

[mechanicalbrain]

Awwww don't you go to VCU? That means Im not going to see your team agian! If you want I can swamp your mentors with emails of protest. Seriously if your not doing it this year then VCU will be deprived of your teams creativity and spirit. For that I am sorry. I hope you do well in VEX.

[Adam Richards]

Originally Posted by Can't See Me

Our team isn't doing FIRST this year!!! We're doing VEX instead, which I'm not particularly fond of... I miss FIRST competitions already...

Actually, you still are doing FIRST, the FIRST Vex Challenge. Don't look at this as a bad thing, rather, as a new experience. Who knows, since it is the first Vex season, the competitons could be as enjoyable or even more so than the regular FRC ones.

[phrontist]

404 Not Found

All kidding aside, is this a funding issue? becase you still have a while...

[JVN]

Though I'm sad to see any team leave the FRC, it is good to know you will still be involved in the FIRST Program. Hopefully the students on your team will still have a strong positive experience participating in the FVC. FVC still contains all the same values such as gracious professionalism and coopertition that FRC is known for.

Enjoy it! Maybe in the future your team will choose to (or regain the ability to) particpate in FRC. Good Luck.

John

[HRobotics]

My team isn't doing the FIRST regional either, and we don't even know if we can do VEX! However, we have a FLL team for our Middle School, and have recently begun a Robotics Club at our Junior School to motivate young children to take an interest in Robotics.
We are also keeping up to date with FIRST activities, and are looking to volunteer for FIRST at the regional(s).

Best of luck to you,

- Havergal Robotics

[mechanicalbrain]

Originally Posted by HRobotics

My team isn't doing the FIRST regional either, and we don't even know if we can do VEX! However, we have a FLL team for our Middle School, and have recently begun a Robotics Club at our Junior School to motivate young children to take an interest in Robotics.
We are also keeping up to date with FIRST activities, and are looking to volunteer for FIRST at the regional(s).

Best of luck to you,

- Havergal Robotics

If teams are super low on funding they should look at making a merger with another team in the area. I know an academy near us wants to make a team but don't have the money and I'm thinking about getting our team to offer to let them join in exchange for access to their shops!

[Koko Ed]

FIRST is always in need of volunteers at events. You don't need to be on a team to be involved with FIRST.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

I'd like to point out that this is actually a great way to stay involved. You may want to consider spreading VEX to other FIRST teams. I'm not saying convert them from FIRST, but I'm saying make it an opportunity for other schools.

Try to host an open house or an informational session about VEX in conjunction with an FRC team and a lego league team. That is an awesome way to get knowledge out and still work with teams you've been with for the past few years. Vex winners also go to Championships if I'm correct (though you may want to check on qualification criteria, I am not sure about that).

Good luck~!

- Genia

[ahecht]

Originally Posted by Can't See Me

Our team isn't doing FIRST this year!!! We're doing VEX instead, which I'm not particularly fond of... I miss FIRST competitions already...

I will point out that people with FIRST experience are not eligible to participate in the VEX Pilot Program. From http://www.usfirst.org/Vex/VexQA.htm:

Members of FVC teams registered for an FVC Pilot Program event are expected to be high-school-aged young people and adult mentors who are new to FIRST.

[John Wanninger]

Originally Posted by Can't See Me

Our team isn't doing FIRST this year!!! We're doing VEX instead, which I'm not particularly fond of... I miss FIRST competitions already...

I hope you'll give FRV a chance.

Though the thrill is maybe not quite as adrenal as with the big bots, the gameplay, strategizing, and alliance/scouting factors are all intact, and teams I've coached/mentored have had a blast with it.

Compared to FRC, you might say that robot designs are more limited due to hardware restrictions. In reality, however, because designs and iterations can happen much more quickly and with much less risk, lots of different ideas can be tried for lower cost and in very little time.(In FRC, designs need to be frozen earlier in the build schedule). I guarantee we'll be seeing some amazing FRV robots as teams gain proficiency and begin to take advantage of all the VEX capabilities. The programmability is all there. It will be many years before anyone max'es out what can be done hardware/software wise with these little beauties.

And while I'll agree that the (typically) smaller team size will bring a different dynamic to the competitions, I think the key will be (just like in FRC), if the games are good, the fun and excitement will be there.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by ahecht

I will point out that people with FIRST experience are not eligible to participate in the VEX Pilot Program. From http://www.usfirst.org/Vex/VexQA.htm:

Quote:
Members of FVC teams registered for an FVC Pilot Program event are expected to be high-school-aged young people and adult mentors who are new to FIRST.

That doesn't say required anywheres, only expected. I'm sure FIRST would be glad for you to compete anyway you can.

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by iCurtis

Quote:
Members of FVC teams registered for an FVC Pilot Program event are expected to be high-school-aged young people and adult mentors who are new to FIRST.
That doesn't say required anywheres, only expected. I'm sure FIRST would be glad for you to compete anyway you can.

I think that FIRST's intent is to use the FVC as a stepping stone to the FRC. Generally making the FVS an easier competition to win before you "play with the big boys" in FRC.

[JVN]

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil

I think that FIRST's intent is to use the FVC as a stepping stone to the FRC. Generally making the FVS an easier competition to win before you "play with the big boys" in FRC.

Easier competition to win? What? Why would FIRST want to do that?

I sincerely doubt it. More likely we will see the same kind of competitive play that is present in FRC.

Perhaps that statement is only a means of encouraging new participants to get involved. One of the goals of FIRST has always been growth, so it makes sense that they would want to see NEW participants involved.

[Amanda Morrison]

Originally Posted by ahecht

I will point out that people with FIRST experience are not eligible to participate in the VEX Pilot Program.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...84&postcount=9

That's the second time someone from your team has misinterpreted this rule... I'd suggest looking back through older VEX threads if anyone has any questions about the program. Many questions have been answered in those threads.