I would encourage them to do ONE mission and compete. They'll have fun, they'll learn a lot, and nobody is going to laugh at them (honest -- that's part of Gracious Professionalism). If it helps, tell them that teams that have scored over 300 have also had ZERO POINT runs in the same tournament!
There are usually a couple of missions that are easy to do with a basic robot that goes straight out and straight back. Such a basic robot needs no sensors, and can use the simplest program. Who knows, they might get one mission working and then see others that they can do equally easily -- the KISS principle applies!
I know, that isn't what you asked. If they really aren't going to show up at the tables, then that's not entirely fair to the teams scheduled to compete against them.
I'll need to know ASAP what their decision is, as I'm planning to generate final Sterling competition schedules Real Soon Now.
Again, however, I'd really, really encourage them not to withdraw!
--
Phil Smith III
Virginia State Judge Advisor, 2007, 2008
Judge Advisor, Northern Virginia Regional tournaments, 2006
Division 1 Judge Advisor, Virginia State tournament, 2006
Coach, The Capital Girls, Oak Hill (retired)
Team 1900 (2002)
Team 2497 (2003)
Team 2355 (2004)
Team 1945 (2005)
-----Original Message-----
From: First Lego League Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stuart Roll
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 1:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Partial tournament participation?
One of the schools I coach at has multiple teams. An additional team
was added well after the season started, has rookie coaches and (mostly)
kids, was "stuck" with the old RCX kit, had troubles with RoboLab and
finding all the old sensors, didn't know what they needed to know but
didn't, etc., etc., etc.
The kids and coaches of that team are very discouraged about this year's
tournament w.r.t. the public robotics table competition. They are
upbeat about doing robotics at school this next off-season and
participating properly in next year's FLL tournaments but they really
won't have anything to show off and be proud of at the robot
competition. (I know - we normally suggest they just do a couple of
missions and be proud of that but in this particular circumstance they
probably won't be able to do even that.)
They are willing, I think, to come to the tournament and participate in
the judged events (even showing their robot to the Robot Design judges)
if they can simply skip the table competition. If that is not
permitted, they will probably choose to withdraw completely and simply
attend it to observe and cheer on others.
Does anybody know if this kind of partial participation would be
allowed? They are scheduled for one of the Ashburn tournaments.
Stuart
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