Testing the engineer trap: Lure them in with a robot, then pull the robot out and close the door. (The door is actually a force field… Time for them to be shipped to a new team!)
"Umm guys, the robot is still overweight. We’re left with no choice but to cut off a limb. All in favour for a leg, say I. Okay, excellent, it’s settled.
Guys, where did that muffled shriek of terror come from?"
Team member staring in disbelief: Dude, what are you doing?!?
Dude: Man, I’m practicing for the real deal. If I can push against this for awhile, the glass ceiling is going to be an easy breakthrough when it comes to helping science and technology go mainstream.
Team member shrugs as he walks away mumbling: geez, FIRSTers…
The people at the storage company decided to play a prank on FIRST teams by replacing the robots in the crates with unusual things. Team 230 was grateful to only get a crazy human; other teams got reenactments of 2 Girls 1 Cup.
Note to self…
Make sure newbies understand that when you discuss things like “raising the ceiling” they understand which ceiling you are talking about.
Person in crate: “This crate thinks its better than me? Lets kick it up a notch. ITS GO TIME!”
“Ow, my back, I cant move…”
Another person: “Call an Ambulance!”
3rd person: “AMBULANCE? THIS IS SHIPDATE! GET OUT OF THE CRATE”
The robot got to go on the plane to the regional while the student was forced to go via FedEx. The team provided enough food, but forgot to pack other basic necessities, such as a razor. By the time he got to competition, he was rather hairy but still ready to “raise the roof”