New Regionals in 2008

[TKM.368]

Originally Posted by lynca

The new regionals are creating interesting press articles,

Seattle - Microsoft Regional

Hawaii Regional

Our team is excited to hear more regarding the Seattle Regional. In the meantime, Dean Kamen is here in Hawaii pushing FIRST to everyone possible. Here is a more detailed article regarding the FIRST in Hawaii Kickoff, as well as some glitchy video.

[Andrew Schuetze]

Originally Posted by Pavan

It will make more teams in Oklahoma and also add to the Robotics Education Program of Oklahoma because Botball is HUGE there. The only thing is that Botball is during the FIRST season which may pose some problems, but for huge teams, it is a great way to split the team and/or to keep the rookies busy with the programming and let them do the mechie or control stuff in their later years.

Or consider Botball as potential feeder program for FIRST by having middle schools compete. There is already FLL and Jr. FLL but then there are options such as EARLY and Botball.

Here in San Antonio, TX we have an initiative growing to get middle schools competing in Botball. (The architech for the Botball controller is Rich LeGrand whose lab/Co. is in Austin, Texas Charmed Labs)
Additionally, since SA is a big BEST area we are getting elementary schools to compete in GEAR city-wide while some school districts are also adding in EARLY neighborhood tournaments.

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schuetze

Or consider Botball as potential feeder program for FIRST by having middle schools compete. There is already FLL and Jr. FLL but then there are options such as EARLY and Botball.

Here in San Antonio, TX we have an initiative growing to get middle schools competing in Botball. (The architech for the Botball controller is Rich LeGrand whose lab/Co. is in Austin, Texas Charmed Labs)
Additionally, since SA is a big BEST area we are getting elementary schools to compete in GEAR city-wide while some school districts are also adding in EARLY neighborhood tournaments.

In our are we use a variety of programs to spread robotics that can be seen on the Houston Robotics website. We do EARLY, FLL, BEST, Botball, and FRC as well. And the greatest thing about all of these programs is that they all feed into each other... EARLY teaches the students a little bit about building robots, FLL teaches them programming and makes them think a little more about design, BEST makes them think about design but on a new level as well as some more programming, Botball teaches them about programming in depth and gets them ready for FRC which makes them look more in depth into the different types of engineering and lets them work with professionals.

[Andrew Schuetze]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schuetze

I would presume that FIRST and the various regional event directors will schedule the multiple events in a region to not coincide so that teams can attend two regionals without the travel issues as already mentioned.

Okay take note, my presumption in this regard was very far from correct and could in the instance of the the Texas and Oklahoma regionals be in direct conflict with it
Lone Star Regional
Katy, TX DATE 3/20/2008 - 3/22/2008

Oklahoma City Regional
Oklahoma City, OK DATE 3/20/2008 - 3/22/2008