I’m interested in compiling the number of teams that have competed each year in each district since their inception. I’m not finding an easy way to go pull that data and figured maybe that at least the people helping run each district may have that information on their own districts.
Example - MAR district started in 2012 and had ___ teams competing, ____ in 2013, _____ in 2014, etc.
Based on team rankings posted on the FiM site, (edit: added 2009 based on Wayne’s post)
In 2009 there were 132 FiM teams
In 2010 there were 136 FiM teams (added 4)
In 2011 there were 171 FiM teams (added 35)
In 2012 there were 190 FiM teams (added 19)
In 2013 there were 207 FiM teams (added 17)
In 2014 there were 277 FiM teams (added 70)
In 2015 there were 347 FiM teams (added 70)
Based on 900 high schools in Michigan, progress toward the dream state is at 38.56% as of the 2015 FRC season.
That growth is absolutely incredible in Michigan, especially over the last 2 years.
What are the biggest factors in that growth in your opinion? I remember reading something about the Department of Workforce Development chipping in, I believe Indiana’s did something similar too. Are grants being provided to teams for a number of years to sustain them until they find enough sponsors to become self-reliant?
Full transparency, I’m doing research just to try and get more data for Missouri / Kansas as initial discussions have started. Lessons learned are always helpful :]
A grant administered by the MI Department of Education to the tune of $3 million per year. Rookies get enough to cover registration plus some, and it decreases to 3+ year teams who get $2500. Also, it covers advancement to States and Worlds. So it helps rookies big time, but also helps out veterans (which a number of grants seem to lack).
This grant appeared and caused the 2014 and 2015 growth spike. Also, Gail Alpert is quite a force at getting new teams formed.
Could you include the 2-3 years before each region went to districts too? At least as important as the growth rate during districts is comparing it to the growth rate previous to the advent of districts in that region…
Thank you!