As a member of the class of 2020, the circumstances surrounding this year are incredibly frustrating. We spent so much time building one of our best robots ever, and then the rug was pulled out from under our feet.
Of course, it’s important to remember that it’s no one’s fault that this season is being affected like this, and we shouldn’t blame FIRST or the various regional organizations for circumstances that are out of their control.
With all that said, not being able to compete doesn’t take away anything from the experience that we had over the past four years. Regardless of whether you get to see your robot out on that field this year, everyone involved has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience. Regardless of whether you will get to experience the electric atmosphere of a competition as a student again, you have still made memories that will last a lifetime. Regardless of whatever happens from here on out, we still got to experience FRC. That means not just the competitions, but all the ups, the downs, the laughter, the blood, the sweat, the tears, and everything else that comes with being part of a team. Nobody, and nothing can take anything that we have had the privilege of experiencing away from us.
FIRST is what you make of it, and I hope that everyone, not just the seniors, can look back on this year fondly.
It especially sucks when this is only your second year in FIRST because your first two was spent moving and your old team not allowing freshmen on the team. But it is what it is, time to look forward to other robotics competitions in college. Does anyone know of anything comparable to FIRST in college?
Formula SAE is one that comes to mind. It’s basically college level formula 1. Also some autonomous robotics competitions I don’t know much about (IARC and IGVC). Plus you could always mentor FRC.
Yes, there are a ton of technical build challenges available in college.
Design-Build-Fly, Formula SAE, NASA Student Launch Challenge, Solar Car, mentoring of FRC teams, etc etc.
There are many colleges that host events. Some like Clarkson University have a program to help mentor FRC team. Lots of schools have a team somewhere nearby so it can be convenient to mentor.
As an additional reminder to graduating seniors, this year doesn’t need to be your last in FIRST!
As an alumni, I can confirm that volunteering and mentoring is extremely fulfilling. This program doesn’t stop teaching when you graduate from high school. I’ve learned a ton, and made a lot of friends through this program since I’ve graduated.
If any seniors want to talk things through, have questions about the transition into mentoring/volunteering, or just want to vent their frustrations, feel free to shoot me a DM.
You got the added bonus of hosting what may turn out to be the best official competition in the state!
Seriously, I am really proud of Bloomington South and all the folks who put on a great show. I am Looking Forward to more events at that venue.
I just hope that we get to experience some more competitions over the summer or even the fall before we all go to college. Either way, we all spent some good weeks building amazing robots, and I hope that, even though we may not get to play with them, we may take the knowledge and experiences that FIRST has given us to college and our future lives.
There is also the University Rover Challenge. I participated. Extremely tough to get into (the challenge has an application process) and it’s nothing like FIRST, but I enjoyed it. Message me if anyone has questions.
