President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

"For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do. "

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Kamen for cabinet?

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

He's got my vote!
ha

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Kamen for personal advisor I say.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

When I heard that part of the speech, the first thing that popped into my mind was the week I was doing with my FIRST team. Maybe we can use this new focus to advance the cause if FIRST.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Like with all polotics I hope he follows up on it, and in a smart fashion as well. No Child Left Behind was one of the largest education policy pushes in recent time by the federal government. Also considered a really inefficent and counter productive stratagy. I hope his action is strong AND smart, either alone is hardly worth the effort.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Obama will probably support FIRST. His own Alma Mater does it, team 2090!
In fact, students from their HS were invited to participate in the inauguration....:D

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

I'm already trying to figure out how to work this quote into our marketing material!!!

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

When you do, don't hesitate to share it with the rest of us!!! :D


I sense a new era for our little niche in the world, and he seems like just the man to help nudge it along. But remember, this is not just about one man, though he is very influential. We've got to help this change happen!

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

this sounds like a job for the people that get to meat him after they win in the finals. ask him for more TV time for FIRST. :)

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Well if team 2090 wins championship this year, I'm sure the President will do one better. Visit them instead of the team visiting him. :D :D

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

i hope that we will see obama at the DC regional. We are already sending letters to our politicians and on thursday we are going to send out team members to their offices as a friendly reminder. Maybe we could get obama to come.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Perhaps FIRST will allows us to make some progress on this task by allowing solar panels or wind turbines on the robots? Mmm? Just a thought.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Why would you want to limit him like that? ;)

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Exactly!!!

Kamen/Lavery '12!!!

(Vice President Lavery.... that's a scary thought!) :eek:

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Champion teams are not necessarily invited to meet the president. I believe it has happened only three times in the history of FIRST.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

As a soon to be educator (okay so I'm only half way through my undergrad...) this is good news for me.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10142451-54.html

Solar power might be a bad idea after all...but I'd vote for Dean!

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

There's a big difference between solar power being a "bad idea" and current technology creating dirty waste products. I'd hazard to say that the materials that will make solar power the most cost effective probably haven't been invented yet, and that even with some of the toxic byproducts their contribution to total global pollution is miniscule compared to the general electronics industry which uses many of the same chemicals, and creates the same byproducts.

Solar energy (and tide energy) is FREE energy. It's the most plentiful energy we have. It powers many other energy sources including wind, currents, etc. We already eat, and power our vehicles on converted solar energy through plant products. Far and away the bulk of it is just radiated back into space.

Dean would tell you that the waste byproduct issue is a problem to be solved - not a show stopping reason not to do it.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Oh lord no. He'd be halfway through his term before his acceptance speech was done.... :ahh:

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Is this not the FIRST credo?
See the full transcript.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Absolutely

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Yes because the only way to use solar energy is to use it to produce electricity. :rolleyes:

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

I'm pretty sure this speech was NOT aimed at FIRST. There is a big push for STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) in K-12 curriculum now. However, STEM can be supplemented very well with FIRST (or other robotic competition). It is good to see the support for STEM.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

If anyone is/was listening to President Obama's speech to his White House staff on CNN just recently, he mentioned that he was particularly looking for his staff to call upon regular people, scientists, educators.. etc to help push forward policies and get new ideas to advance the nation. (That was what he said in a nutshell)

Now this sounds like a very good opportunity for all teams to start connecting with the new White House staff and to see if anything can be done in the new President's administration to push FIRST into the STEM program that President Obama and his new administration support.

Seems like this could really fall in line with what he's looking for from his staff as far as ideas and advancement goes. We'll certainly see what the future holds.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

I posted this quote in my physics/robotics lab yesterday within an hour after the President gave his speech...

Everyone in FIRST should have felt a lump in their throat when he said this..
I know I did...

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

If Dave Lavery becomes vice president, then everyone will be clamoring about him remodeling government buildings with Jello (but of course it will never happen). Either that or he will torture the entire public with game hints.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

I can see it now:

"We're signing a new bill that will revolutionize the country's energy sources. The first clue is this picture of a dog chasing Krispy Kremes floating around the International Space Station. Go America!















."


:p

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

uh oh, i can just imagine how people will try to overthink that clue, like the moonfish, then FIRST decides to mess with people and have the second clue just be a picture of batman. now someone has to figure out a game that would work with these clues. also, in an effort to not take the thread off topic, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CONGRESSPERSON! :)

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

This is going downhill quick...thanks to momentum, lol let's go DEAN!
as long as the clues can stay out of it otherwise nationwide chaos.

Sounds like good ideas

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Go to it, men (and women!) I would write, myself-they pretty much have to acknowledge you at least then. The first time, at least >_>

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Can we get a concentrated effort on this task? Have a group of people post a draft, let the community help shape it up to fully explain our situation, but not seem too "bleh", then have everyone we know send a copy.

I think that'll get their attention. ;)

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Politicians are much more influenced by individual efforts than mass-marketed spam.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Dear Sir/Madam,

If you believe that an infusion of innovative engineers is essential to the success of your company, and vital to keeping America in the technology forefront; you will agree that supporting youth technology programs like ours is crucial and worthwhile.

4-H Exploding Bacon Robotics is a FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics team comprised of student and adult members. Adult members (volunteers, parents, professionals, and college students) serve as mentors to guide student members (middle and high school students) in team management, engineering and computer programming; and to develop essential leadership skills as in any real life organizations. The goal is to inspire and support these youth members who will in turn, inspire and support others in the community and eventually become leaders of tomorrow.

President Obama said in his inauguration speech “ we will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do. " In this shrinking economy, it is even more critical that community leaders and corporations like yours step up and invest in mentoring programs like ours.

Sponsoring Exploding Bacon is really an investment in the community and in the future of America. We do more than build robots, our team has made presentations in elementary schools, public libraries, community festivals, and in the Orlando Science Center. Our youth members mentor to two FIRST Lego League teams and we also mentor an FRC Rookie team. We are a community service group as well.

It is very easy to become a sponsor of 4-H Exploding Bacon Robotics. Some companies just write a check. Others provide mentors, services, products, and meals to the team. Your donation is tax-deductible. The form in the package details the different levels of sponsorships. Whatever level you choose, you are a vital part of the program and we are grateful.

We have enclosed an introductory package, which provides you with more information about the team and the FIRST competition. The students create the package and we appreciate any feedback you may have. We would be happy to visit your workplace, bring the robots and do a presentation.

We will contact you soon to answer any questions you may have. However, you can contact me, Wendy Austin at 407-247-6776, any time. If you are ready you can return the form in the enclosed envelope if you are ready.

In this troubling economy, we all have to be very judicious in allocating our limited funds. We need to invest smartly in programs that have the largest impact on our youths, and to secure our country’s future. We need your support to make the mission of the 4-H FIRST a reality for more young people in the Central Florida area.

Sincerely,
Wendy Austin

Team Mom

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

True. But sometimes collective efforts can be just as effective.

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

Wendymom, that is the most amazing piece of writing I've seen on this website. It is no surprise to me that the biggest award a team can receive is NOT for winning the competition, but for inspiring others to see science and technology as a fun, exciting, and rewarding field to go into. More than anything, this is the impact that FIRST will have on my life. What we, as a collective community should do, is let everyone in the country, heck even the world, know what we are about and why it is so important to us. We've already gotten a darn good start on it, as far as I know, but like that old saying goes, "It can always be better." And while we can try our hardest, just like in real life, our hard work may not always be acknowledged, but trust me, I'm sure FIRST has been taken note of.

This is by far the best thing I've heard anyone say in my life: "All this we can do. And all this we will do."

Re: President Obama said it - let's do it...
 

I'm with killraine Kamen for cabinet, and to me this sounds like a good button idea. Anyone else think so?