The first time I coached, I asked one of my team parents to come in and work with kids on the research project.  Two or three kids took the lead on the project and did the research and wrote a rap song and a presentation.  They taught the other kids about the subject and gave them roles in the presentation.  I had the build/design group teach the research project kids about what they were doing and the research project kids spent some time solving a couple of missions, but were not involved in building the base robot.  We only had one mindstorms kit and with a large (9 or 10 kid) team, the research project made it so that I could keep everyone busy during the meetings. 

I urge you to do the research project; I expect you will find at least one team member who really gets excited about it and takes a lead role.

Donna Cornwell
Coach, The FEPs

On 10/5/2010 7:34 PM, Jasmine Geddis wrote:
[log in to unmask]" type="cite">I would encourage your team to still attempt to do a research project. It is part of the whole experience. Our first year as a rookie team we were not ready at all and probably had a weak research project but the team still presented it with enthusiasm. They still remember how unprepared they were but each year they improve and comment how it was a learning experience.

Jasmine Geddis
Team #2423 Wii Bots
On Oct 5, 2010, at 7:09 PM, Adam Coonin wrote:

A quick question, and sorry if it is obvious to everyone.  Can our rookie team enter a tournament and not present a project?  the team is very new and is much more focused on the robot game without much time for the project in the rookie year.  We know we would not be eligible to win the tournament. 
 
Thanks,
 
Adam

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