[20years]

I am sorry to hear this. I really do not understand why schools and parents don't support this kind of stuff. It teaches them so much more than just robotics. 20 kids seems like a lot. I try to keep my clubs small in order to keep it manageable.

[yardie]

We generated a lot more interest than we anticipated. The first meetup was just 8, and we only had 3 sets (3 teams of 3). But then word spread (robots, computers, LEGOs, cool!) and a lot more started to arrive. It was a new experience for all of us. We are a Title 1 school and didn't want to turn anyone away. Eventually, we settled into a steady group of 12-13 kids, 60:40 boys to girls and 5 teams.

What really sealed our fate was 1 of the teachers transferred, and none of the PTA parents responded to our requests for a volunteer (money, no problem, time, hah!). We felt we couldn't give the kids what they needed and folded it before the new school year.

I'm so envious of other school's First programs. I see photos of the ingenuity of the kids and parent volunteers in the background and just wish we had even a little of that.

[20years]

I have been considering forming a team but am a little worried about the time commitment for the students and having enough volunteers. Out of curiosity, what made you decide on First Vs. VEX?

[yardie]

The students were in 5th and 6th grade. I made the recommendation because I felt FLL catered to a younger crowd while VEX seems geared to more STEM focused high schools.