[BB] What Do You Want at St. Louis Championships

[Al Skierkiewicz]

How about some simple stuff like letting students carry a water bottle, snacks and candy into the event.
And please let the security people know that teams will line up before doors open, and they will be carrying a lot of stuff into the pits.

[sanddrag]

I would like to see the President of the United States attend and speak, and I would like to see hot pizza at the after party. I would also like to see more team members allowed into the pits on Wednesday evening, and the wrist-band process replaced with a computer-printable bar-code pass, or just a name check-in. I also would like to see an established process for transferring pit areas from the pits to the fieldside, for teams competing in the finals, and more members allowed here as well.

Also, I would like to see an increase in sound quality and a decrease in sound volume.

[ChristopherSD]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Also, I would like to see an increase in sound quality and a decrease in sound volume.

I like the sound of that.

See what I did there?

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Also, I would like to see an increase in sound quality and a decrease in sound volume.

At least, nothing close to Archimedes levels. Some other fields (Galileo) were fine though, but how hard is it to check stuff like volume?

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

How about some simple stuff like letting students carry a water bottle, snacks and candy into the event.
And please let the security people know that teams will line up before doors open, and they will be carrying a lot of stuff into the pits.

I really like this idea. As big of a factor safety is, I think that buying a $4 water vs. dehydrated students is ridiculous. And don't say that go to the water fountain. One can only go to the fountain so many times.

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I would like to see the President of the United States attend and speak, and I would like to see hot pizza at the after party. I would also like to see more team members allowed into the pits on Wednesday evening, and the wrist-band process replaced with a computer-printable bar-code pass, or just a name check-in. I also would like to see an established process for transferring pit areas from the pits to the fieldside, for teams competing in the finals, and more members allowed here as well.

Also, I would like to see an increase in sound quality and a decrease in sound volume.

This one would make sense to me. However, I don't think FIRST has the budget to fly line arrays for each field, and until you do, the coverage will be questionable at best... With questionable coverage comes the need to boost amplification to "compensate." Crappy sound elsewhere, too much sound in the hot seat. The Georgia dome is biiiiiiig.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

At least, nothing close to Archimedes levels. Some other fields (Galileo) were fine though, but how hard is it to check stuff like volume?

I felt Archimedes was on the quiet side. I couldn't hear the emcee or announcers, and the music they played was really quiet just with the bass turned up. I just wished they would turn down the bass and up the volume.

[Phoenix Spud]

I would like to see JFLL, FLL, and FTC take a bigger role. Those students have worked just as hard as FRC students have. This year, my FRC team's pit was right by FTC and FLL, and it was great when the FLLers came over to say "Hi!" They could grasp the concept of our robot better than most kids their age. Getting to meet them was one of the highlights of my trip.

I think FLL and FTC should remain with the FRC fields, on the dome floor. I watched some of the FLL robots in Atlanta this year, and I was impressed with their design and engineering principles applied.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Spud

I would like to see JFLL, FLL, and FTC take a bigger role. Those students have worked just as hard as FRC students have. This year, my FRC team's pit was right by FTC and FLL, and it was great when the FLLers came over to say "Hi!" They could grasp the concept of our robot better than most kids their age. Getting to meet them was one of the highlights of my trip.

I think FLL and FTC should remain with the FRC fields, on the dome floor. I watched some of the FLL robots in Atlanta this year, and I was impressed with their design and engineering principles applied.

Agreed. As more FLL students move into FTC and FRC, the programs will strengthen because of the skills, including communication skills, that the students bring with them. Also, we're seeing FLL mentors moving into FTC and FRC mentoring and that will continue. It's wonderful.

I learn so much from the FLL teams. Every year.

Jane

[XaulZan11]

Assuming the Edward Jones Dome is like the Georgia dome, I would like them to open up the upper levels to sit for the entire time (instead of just for the finals on Einstein). Maybe they could just open for scouts and enforce a 'no standing' policy. I think this would solve a lot of the seating complaints but would require some more staffers.

[JaneYoung]

One reason that I think it is important for every student in FIRST to be able to experience the Championship event at least once in their young life - is to see how really big it is and how many teams are involved from all over the world. The Championship event also brings home the value and importance of the sponsors and suppliers and just makes everything more real, even though everything is more fantastic.

One thing that I would love to see some quality time spent on is the layout and accessibility of Scholarship Row, the Hall Of Fame displays/teams, the Woodie Flowers Award recipients and their bios/information, the Dean's List, and the Championship Conference presentations. All of these, together, should be a highlight and a beautiful centerpiece that showcases the FIRST possibilities well to the students, the mentors, the parents, the sponsors and supporters, the guests, and the general public. These elements of the Championship should not be spread out all over the place but should be in the same area that is easily accessed, noticed, and made available. None of these should be short changed, overlooked, or given last minute attention and space.

Jane

[EricH]

Originally Posted by XaulZan11

Assuming the Edward Jones Dome is like the Georgia dome, I would like them to open up the upper levels to sit for the entire time (instead of just for the finals on Einstein). Maybe they could just open for scouts and enforce a 'no standing' policy. I think this would solve a lot of the seating complaints but would require some more staffers.

Given the seating in there, I would expect that any seat directly accessible from the main concourse would be open (field-side retractable, field-side fixed, mid-level) just to give the same type of space as in Atlanta. If there's growth room at all, opening up the upper level must happen. If the retractable seats aren't out, and the upper level isn't open, then 4 people saving seats for 40 will not be able to, because they'll have 60 people trying to sit there.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by CraigHickman

This one would make sense to me. However, I don't think FIRST has the budget to fly line arrays for each field, and until you do, the coverage will be questionable at best... With questionable coverage comes the need to boost amplification to "compensate." Crappy sound elsewhere, too much sound in the hot seat. The Georgia dome is biiiiiiig.

Craig,
There were line arrays hung for all the fields as well as fills and subs down on the floor. I checked the operator's position on Curie and there was a sense mic on top of the console throughout the event. However, operators cannot be on duty at all times so there are guest players that step in during the day. What I don't know but suspect, is that they tie into the venue system for Einstein and other presentations to fill everywhere.

Can I add that higher resolution screens on the division fields would be nice, but understandably more expensive.

[GeorgeTheEng]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Can I add that higher resolution screens on the division fields would be nice, but understandably more expensive.

Definitely!! I did the scoring system for FTC. The information looked great on the projectors in the pits and the LCDs on the floor by the fields. But the video wall is poor when it comes to any type of text (that isn't very large and bolded)

[Marc P.]

So far there are almost 30 replies to this thread, but only 11 comments on Bill's Blog. Bill may or may not be reading CD, but I'd bet he is reading the comments on his blog. If you want your suggestions heard, make sure you post there as well.