First of all, I’d like to compliment you on your question and that you said the “kids” would be using the tool. I recommend you keep the use of the tool child-centric. By doing this, your team would be following the first FIRST (no pun intended) Core Value.
FIRST Core Values
We express the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition through our Core Values:
- Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
- Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
- Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
- Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
- Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
- Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!
As a Robot Design judge, here are some thoughts. You could, but may not, get some additional credit for design process.
The team has limited time during the season to prepare both the project and to construct and program a LEGO robot. If using a CAD program helps with the design process (read it carefully above) or helps develop a better robot, then it could be a good use of time.
I was a robot design judge during a session where a team had used a CAD program (it is very rare and this was one of the few I ever saw). During the robot design session, the team could not explain how the use of CAD helped with the design process. Through questions, we probed the concept with no additional insight. That team did not get any additional credit for using CAD.
If you think by just using CAD, you are getting a “leg up” on the other teams, you are not. In fact, you could be effectively penalizing your team by using time (a valuable resource) on it vs. other important team activities.
If you are using CAD as an effective part of your team’s design process you could get additional credit during judging, but it is not guaranteed.
FIRST and FIRST LEGO League were founded to inspire and develop the children our world. Fundamentally, if your use of CAD achieves these goals you’re doing well.
Now, for the junior and rookie coaches is on this LISTSERVE, do not think that you are less of a coach or your team is ill-prepared if you’re not using CAD. From my observations, most of the teams do not and, for those that do, it has not provided them any additional advantage.
In closing I would like to thank you all for your volunteer service. Keep FIRST LEGO League fun and I hope see you at future competition.
Bill
Great thanksLast year my team used Lego Digital Designer. It is a free Lego branded tool.MattHello,Can the kids use Computer-aided design to build models?Thanks in advanceYasmeenCoach for Lego Bots and Mind Bombs----
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