It’s encouraging to see that others share the same concerns about unrestricted AI usage. I have also voiced my concerns in this thread.
I wholeheartedly agree with Sanja Tronic’s call to reinstate the engineering journal requirement. Engineering journals are a fundamental practice that greatly benefits students by fostering critical thinking, documentation skills, and a deeper understanding of the engineering process. This is why widely recognized educational robotics competitions like FIRST Regional and VEX both mandate proper engineering journal practices—they recognize their value and have incorporated them into their requirements since their inception.
In the meantime, I could suspect why the committee might consider removing this requirement. Perhaps many teams simply did not implement it correctly and thus found it invaluable and a burden. The truth is that when maintained properly, these journals become an invaluable habit without imposing a significant additional workload.
When I mentor my teams, they all spend probably 10 minutes only for each 2-hour long meeting. Unfortunately, if not done thoughtfully, they can just become a tedious chore.
Reinstating the engineering journal requirement in RCJ would not only align with the practices of other major competitions, but also enhance the overall journey toward an engineering career - a vital skill both in academic and professional settings.
I sincerely hope the committee will continue to support mentors and teachers in this effort, recognizing the long-term benefits for our students