Lessons Learned
Our Rookie Year has been one for the books. We began in October, knowing nothing about FIRST and almost nothing about how to build a competitive robot. By the time April rolled along, we had a competition bot, had placed 6th and 5th respectively and made it to the Michigan State Championship. We've earned four trophies and have been Alliance Captains twice! To new teams, we've compiled some advice from the lessons we learned along the way.
-
Begin fund raising as soon as you are able. The grant cannot fund everything you need if you're going to do it right.
-
Purchase hardware in advance. Locate sources for materials in advance. Shop from FIRST as quickly as possible before the popular items are gone.
-
Take pictures of everything and advertise, advertise, advertise! No one will believe the scope of this project unless you show them.
-
Keep it simple. Making your bot too complicated could jeopardize your success.
-
Set time aside for practice. Until you practice, you won't work out the glitches!
-
Go to programming classes.
-
Book your hotel long before you know you're going to state! If you wait, you'll spend a fortune!
GOOD LUCK!