Jeff, our first year, we were in the same boat.  The kids managed to write three programs the day before the competition and did great.  They didn't have the highest score but they won an award for their research/skit.  The kids LOVED it, and they all came back the next year.  The kids are learning a lot whether they compete well or not.
Hope to see you out there.
Jill Hamilton. Electric Pineapples Coach
(10650)

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Lavezzo
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2012 6:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Fish or cut bait?

Hi Folks,
I'm looking for some advice about my team.

Through a variety of circumstances, our team finds itself very behind schedule.  We have yet to assemble a robot and only have one person on the team with experience programming the bot, (though the two coaches are both professional programers).

I'm in the middle of finally signing up for tournaments and recognizing that the best case scenario is that we get one more month, worst only a few weeks. I can't seem to get the kids together for more than about 90 min a week. Everyone has something at some other time. Ideally, we'd add a couple 3 hour weekend meetings to get us back on some semblance of a track, but I think I could only get about 3 team members for that.

Here's the question: Should we even sign up for the tournament?

I have my own ideas about our options, but I'd like to hear advice from those with more experience than me (I have no experience with FLL, haven't even been to a tournament). Especially advice from someone who's been in this position before: inexperienced coach, inexperienced team, hardly any time left.

Thanks

Jeff
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