Which teams do students build/design the robot?

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by pakratt1991

After being in FIRST for 3 years, and being to about 5 competitions,
I've noticed something that is terribly wrong about FIRST.
there is no recognition/award or anything for having students build the robot.

Why isn't there one? The answer is seemingly simple: FIRST doesn't care whether your robot is student-built or mentor-built. If a team finds they function better with students building, that's great--but the process of students working with mentors is the part FIRST is really looking for.

Which first is about getting students involved in robotics, and this can happen if students build the robot or not. I still feel that students building/designing the robot is one of the most important parts about getting them ready for the real world, in the real world you dont stand around and watch mentors build things.

You're right--in the real world, you don't stand around and watch mentors build things. In the real world, you take your drawings to the shop, and they construct it while you're working on other things. Specialization is a wonderful thing.

does anyone else notice that some of these teams that do so well every year are not student run?
what are your thoughts?

Yes, there are a lot of great teams out there that have a good deal of mentor input. Is there anything wrong with that? Nope.

George Wallace, 1902's coach, said it best: FIRST is like pizza. You and I may like different toppings, but there is no wrong way to do it.