Sharing Designs

[generalbrando]

I think part of the complication of this subject has to do with the difference between engineering concepts and designs/strategies, so I've divided my comments:

I think all teams need to increase the frequency that they share engineering concepts. Concepts such as how to telescope tubes using a single cable/string or how to create a claw on an arm that doesn't change it's angle (two-bar linkage). Sharing these ideas barely stunts creativity because they are the solution to the common problems that arise in engineering designs. I think it's actually more likely to increase creativity because it gives teams/students more tools in their engineering toolchest to pull out and use on their designs. These concepts are often text-book, but that doesn't mean a high-school student is exposed to them or even has access to them which is in part why FIRST is such a great experience.

To sum it up, this is about the question "how does it work?" which is something well all thought before we smashed open our first alarm clocks to find the ticking answer.

That said, I think *designs/strategies* should stay with a team at least until competition. Now, I know I showed the world our prototype ball launcher, but the reality is that there was no more there than there was at the FIRST kick-off. We simply remade a softball launcher using kit parts and robot-legal materials to prove that kit parts would work. What I think should stay with the team is their brainstormed/tested design solution to a part of the game challenge (such as ball collecting/launching). And my argument for this is in line with many others - keep the solution out of your mind and your creativity will have to take over to solve the problem. And that creates a greater learning experience.

To sum this one up as well, it's about the question "why was it designed that way?" Why can take apart a keyboard and figure out how it works. But to understand why we have the QWERTY keyboard layout takes a lot of creativity and learning unless you have the answer handed to you (you know, in history books or online). You don't get the answer by taking about the keys and playing with the membranes and silicone!