Lessons Learned - The Negative

[BurtGummer]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I respectfully would like to point out to you that the way 2753 and 3091 started their FRC teams is exactly what FIRST intended and is what is expected of new rookies. Do NOT criticize these teams for taking the leap into FRC correctly or take away from their accomplishments, as a mentor I would really expect to hear better than complaints of awards. Students like me are the ones who complain about awards.

Frailty in rookie FRC teams is common but is avoidable when the team is initiated properly. Big name PA and NJ teams have been with 2753 every step of the way, and we can vouch for them in saying that they have built a strong foundation by themselves AS A HOMESCHOOLED TEAM. When they needed help from anyone, THEY ASKED.

Do not downplay the accomplishments of these teams because they started out the way FIRST intended them to start out, through FTC and FLL.

The best lesson learned for team who feel 2753 or other successful rookie teams this year had the upper hand: Learn how to have the upper hand. There is always a way, just find it.

I'm sorry to see you failed to understand that I am not downplaying the award(s) they won, or their achievements.

I have not see anything, anywhere, of how a team should start in FIRST. If it should be that way, then it should be a requirement to start in FTC or FLL.

Once again, I will state that FIRST needs to look into something here. We are not the only school who has started out in FRC and not FTC or FLL. I did not set our team up, our sponsor rep did. We didn't even know what FRC was. All I am trying to say is that there are two different types of rookies in FRC. Rookies with prior robot experience in FTC and FLL, and complete newbies to the entire field of robotics. I think that is a fair statement, and not one which criticizes any teams that do have prior experience. It isn't their problem, it's something FIRST should look into.

I apologize that my post sounded like I am criticizing these teams. I found the facts about their history, and I applaud them for it. It is a deal with how FIRST is handling it, not them.