Coming back from worlds, I had the question in the title on my mind. My team was also wondering so I thought I would throw it up on here and see what you guys said.
My organization (Fox Valley Robotics) does a lot of different robotics competitions. This year we had 7 FLL teams, 2 FTC teams, 3 IFI teams, and 1 FRC team. When Judges come around and start asking about our organization, is it ok to be bringing all this up? Since the tension between FIRST and IFI probably has not gotten any better since they split, I was wondering if Judges would look at it like its a negative thing.
Everyone I have ever spoken to within the RECF and Vex 100% encourages participating in FIRST’s programs and any/all other similar STEM robotics programs.
During RECF or Vex activities, if you ever get feedback from anyone discouraging you from being proud of accomplishments in any other STEM program, I’ll wager a nice meal that both the RECF and Vex folks will want to know immediately so that they can remind everyone involved about the principles that guide both groups/companies.
I say “Don’t even let any hint of worry cross your mind.”
Couldn’t agree more with gblake. I don’t know for certain, but is seems like the judges may not even be aware of (perceived) disputes between different robotics programmes. Furthermore, it is evidence that your team has many more abilities than can be shown in the vex competition.
I got my start with FRC, and have since coached, judged, inspected and volunteered at FRC, FLL, FTC (and FVC!) and VRC events. We’ve got VRC teams that compete in Skills Canada, and I’m sure if you look around you’ll find some doing MATE, too. One year we did FRC, FTC and VRC at our school, all under the banner of Team 1346.
If you are proud of your accomplishments, let the judges know.
We have 8 FLL teams, 15 VEX teams, 1 FRC team that build and play under the banner of Downingtown Area Robotics. The VEX team plays the VRC game but also participates in the Firefighting Contest at Penn State. It’s not about the robots it’s about the inspiration!
I was the co-Judge Advisor for the 2011 (and 2010 and 2009) VEX Robotics World Championship. This year I was also surprised and thrilled to be honored with a trophy for Volunteer of the Year. Like you, I am also involved in numerous programs and this was mentioned during my award presentation. I choose to volunteer for programs which engage students doing teamwork and problem solving including VRC, FRC, FLL, & eCybermissions.
It is ABSOLUTELY OK (and encouraged!) to bring up your team’s involvement with any other programs. It is especially fun to learn about your excitement for STEM. All these programs provide opportunities for you to learn to be contributors to solving problems and work as a team.
These rumors are just silly and are not part of the judging philosophy of the VEX Robotics Competitions.
There are descriptions for each of the awards given out that are available to everyone. My understanding is that the RECF will be tweaking some the VRC awards in the coming year.
ps. On behalf of all the judges at the Championship, I want to say thanks to the 560+ teams. They were an impressive and amazing group to interview. There were many more deserving teams than trophies to be given out, and the judges had to make some very tough decisions. Even if your team did not take home a trophy, please be very proud of what you were able to accomplish this year!
