Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

If you think about inspiration as sort of a spectrum, in FIRST it's very full. The robotics, strategics, and technology make up the higher wavelengths, the adrenaline of competition the midband, and the low frequencies that pull at the heart, well that's the people.

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

The people of FIRST are what really makes it for most people, I think. I know on our team, everyone has at least one mentor that they are very close to, regardless if that person is on our animation, robot build, or Chairman's group. There are many of our students and alumni who keep in contact with mentors over the off-season and after graduation. Without these mentors, many students would not be at college or in the jobs they hold today.

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

Though my experience with past clubs and teams in the field of science and technology was indeed a fun time, I must say that there's something different about FIRSTers. FIRSTers always seem to have a passionate spirit for what they do that cannot be suppressed, be it in competition or in the hallways of a high school.

Through FIRST, I became a more outgoing person. My teammates, teachers, and mentors encouraged me in my rookie year (and following years) to step up with any ideas all the time, and to say what was on my mind - and that positive way of doing things eventually rubbed off on the rest of my life. In that manner, they inspired me to be the person I really was.

I've had the opportunity to meet and befriend so many diverse people through these forums - and hearing about all the knowledge they've gained and all the good experiences they've had also inspires me. The CD members inspire me to open up my mind and to learn something new every day.

Yep, I have to say that although everything about FIRST inspires me in some manner, the people have definitely had the greatest impact.

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

Definetly the people in First are to be the most inspiring. There are so many people in FIRST that care so much and absoultely love what they are doing which is really insprining. I have never seen so much spirit in anything other than in FIRST. Mentors, engineers, techers, parents, the kids are all inspiring in FIRST.

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

PEOPLE
People are the most inspirational part for me. Going to the regionals and then the Championship was exciting, and the reason that i joined my team was only to build a robot because I wanted a hobbie. Just all the passion that the teams put into FIRST is amazing by itself. Next year I know that I will be joining because of the people. I got friends to meet next year and all the stuff that goes on at the hotels and during the build season keeps a smile on my face 24/7. Seeing everyone during a match cheering on thier team is the best part because I get to see people like me. I know when I get older I will find a team I could be a mentor on or find a regional to help out at.

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

As inspiring as the people of FIRST are, at the end of the day they do not motivate or inspire me to full effect. Dean Kamen for example, has many great inventions and started of course, FIRST. The fact that he has done this is cool, more power to him, and thanks really; but because I see him and his success, I do not get fully inspired to engineer. The application of my hard work is what inspires me to the utmost, thusly: the competitions. The thoughts that I think around that inspiration point are "Yeah, wow... look at what I just did. That is awesome, I can definitely see myself doing this [for life]."
I vote competition and not robot because of the application portion... it does it for me. Also, I'm not saying the robots aren't inspiring... the comp. just takes the cake.

*I am just using Dean as an example, Dean is one of the greatest innovators of our time and would never look down upon his accomplishments.


$.02

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

The PEOPLE!

Everything else is a tool to help the people happen. Seeing the growth in kids over the years (and yes, in the adults, too), is absolutely astounding! I see it best in my team members and the alums who return, but I also see it in the other young men and women I've grown to know over the years that I've been involved with this program. It puts stars in kids' eyes and gives so many the tools and confidence to reach for those stars. When I look at the teams that are mentored, and were even begun, by former team members, I am amazed and humbled. (Yes, Mike and Greg, I'm talking about you!)

If I'm ever asked about the part of my educational career of which I'm most proud, like Dean, I must say my association with FIRST. The people make it so...

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

It's the people. One scenario I've seen a number of times is let's say team 1 and 2 are duking it out and team 1 tips team 2's bot during the match. I often see at the end of the match team 1 run over to help team 2 and see if they need any help fixing the bot even though they had just tipped them. It was an accident so both teams are working together to set things right. If that isn't inspirational I don't know what is.

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

The pie is FIRST.
Each piece: competition, travel, people, robot
helps make up the whole of the pie.

Add to that -
Outreach - those we work with and expose to FIRST.
Developing partnerships on an on-going basis.
Fundraising, marketing, promotion - developing aspects of the team that will help students understand the process more clearly - that things don't just happen to make a team - a team.

I could never choose just one. For me, it is the pie, the whole.

Also, I have a great deal of respect for the struggle. Whether we are veterans or rookies, have competed on Einstein, or dream the dream of competing on Einstein - we have all struggled to achieve, to learn, to succeed as FIRST teams/members of FIRST.

Jane

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

I think the most inspirational part of FIRST is the competitions, because it takes all of the other things to make it a competition. At a competition, you have all of the passionate individuals that sacrifice incomprehensible amounts of time into making everything work, whether that be directly correlated to the robot, or outreach and sponsorships to keep the team running.
Then you get the opportunity to see what all of our hard work has done, and compare it to what other teams came up with. Competitions were a big eye-opener to me, especially being a freshman, because I could see all of the different approaches to the same problem, to reach similar goals, but each in its own unique and innovative way. It's remarkable, the ideas that make their way into your mind at a competition, especially while scouting. There is so much to learn, so many people to meet, and a ton of robots to examine and admire.
(And of course, you still have your own team to bond with. ;) )

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

The most important part of FIRST for me is the relationships that you form with your team and other FIRSTers. I don't know if you guys understand what I'm talking about , but I always felt a connection with previous team members, such as brothers and friends, and to the great mentors themselves. I truly love the people around me and would give up anything to continue working with them.
:]

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

Personally there have always been 2 things that have inspired me.

1) looking at robots that look professionally crafted. The time it takes to think over every little detail, from the breaking mechanism, to the easy to use pin release of ramps. From the use of any type of material to the drive train. A well engineered robot will inspire me any day.

2) how our robot does. As much as people don't want to admit it, you are happier and enjoy the competition more when you win. If our robot goes 0-10 and doesn't get picked for eliminations i know part of that was the lack of me trying and people don't enjoy it as much. But if you were to reverse that and we go 10-0 and win the regional, then everyone is excited.

just my 2 cents

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

No doubt in my mind its the people.

My mentors, from the day we met, have always been very enthusiastic and have always been "pumped" and they are the ones got me excited about robots. On top of that I can't describe the people on CD. Even though I have only met a handful of people from CD, many of their words inspire me every time I read some of their posts and I am sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Pavan.

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

Though I voted people, I'd like to elaborate.

I'm very happy with the friends I have made, they're awesome.
I'm excited to meet new people, and people that I 've communicated with, at competitions.
I love traveling and rooming with FIRST friends.

Inspiration, however, comes from different aspects of the people I see. I am inspired by people who just can't stay away from FIRST, by people who go above and beyond to teach, by people who make it possible for their siblings and friends and peers to join FIRST, the people who reach out to the world and genuinely carry what they learn here wherever they go. That's what inspires me personally.

Re: Which aspect of FIRST gives you the most inspiration?
 

Great Question! I just want to throw an idea out there- I'm inspired by the PROCESS. The people plus the challenge plus the sweat and creativity plus the competitions-- all practicing Gracious Professionalism throughout. I guess the promise for the future is some part of that process too... you know, solving big problems creatively and graciously...