Survey Results part V

Good Morning Teams,

These are the last of the results from the 2010 FRC Team Survey.  My thanks to everyone who participated.  I hope more teams will participate in next year’s survey.  As you can tell, I pay close attention to the information collected.

Question 37: What did you like best about your involvement in the 2010 FRC Season?  Almost half the answers had to do with working with the students/watching the students grow which tells me FRC is working like it should.

Question 38: What did you like least about your involvement in the 2010 FRC season?  These answers were more varied, but the financial stress on teams and the time commitment made by mentors came through loud and clear.

Question 39: If you could identify one aspect of the 2010 FRC season most in need of improvement, what would that be? I was surprised by how many of you skipped this question.  I really want to know.  I can tell you, based in part on this survey, the GDC is working to simplify/clarify the rules for the 2011 season and we will review the awards.  We have already started improvements to the robot/field communication systems that we plan to test at FRC Beta Day.

Question 40 & 42 asked what elements of FRC teams want to see endure as FRC continues to grow.   Gracious Professionalism and Mentor/Student teamwork are the hands down winners here followed by challenging original games and kickoff.

The last section of the survey was entitled future planning and covered areas where FRC could expand. 65% of respondents were interested in pay to play on-line virtual competitions,  almost 90% were intrigued by the idea of FIRST expanding into science and technology programs beyond robots and more than 90% of teams said they would participate in a virtual mentor program.  I’m not making any promises based on these questions, but I am encouraged by your answers.

In other news:

The GDC is gathering for another on site meeting this coming weekend.

FIRST is in a tie for first place in the Members Project race for $200K.  Please take a moment to vote.

Thanks to the help of the FIRST Dean’s List Winners, I’ve started a facebook fan page and posted photos from both the Suppliers Summit dinner at Dean’s house and the outdoor robot demo.  Please visit me at Bill Miller FRC

164 days to Kickoff
See you then!