I’ve been coaching my son’s team for the last four years, and this sounds like the breath of fresh air the program desperately needed. Keeping the kids engaged and invested has always been a struggle. Having distinct roles and more robust success criteria sounds like a great way to address that problem. Previous years have mostly centered around a very simple core project that essentially amounts to assembling a LEGO kit and adding a simple motorized part (e.g. making something spin). We usually finish that within the first couple weeks and then ditch the very tedious workbook the program provides.

I’ve been bringing in bins of my own Technic parts and some of Yoshihito Isogawa’s idea books[0]. I try to explain basic mechanical concepts like gears, levers, differentials, and rack and pinion steering. Then the kids explore and create a second project of their own. At the festival (non-competitive at the k-5 level in our area) we present both our projects side-by-side (usually trying to integrate them and stick within the overall theme). We’re the only team that does it that way, but I would much rather focus on inspiring the kids than coloring inside the lines.

My only concern is that making the final challenge more actively competitive will force us back into that limited situation. If the builds are too simple and the challenges too basic (which I expect, because the program leans toward expecting all teams to hit the mark) I doubt we would have the same freedom to expand on the program. Side by side competition is going to have more restrictions than a private presentation to a panel of judges.

On the whole, if this helps more kids stay engaged and having fun overall, I’m happy to figure out new ways to let the kids express themselves. This sounds like a positive change. Now I really hope our program leader lets me buy some of the old Spike kits.

[0] https://archive.org/details/legotechnicideab00isog

Interesting. It's always been odd to me that FLL was all autonomous and no driver control then FTC and FRC focus heavily on driver controlled periods.