Why do we do this anyway?
 

Its very easy at this time of year to get wrapped up in the game, rulings, designs, etc. Lets take a moment to answer one simple question.

Why do YOU do this?

I'll start.

I do this because when I was 13 years old, a group of the most wonderful people I have ever known, my mentors, took me as not just a student, not just a team member, but as family. To this day, they have welcomed me with open arms each time I have seen them. Last year, when I was going through the toughest moments of my life (my mother's fight and eventual passing from cancer), they allowed me to come and spend time with them as they built a robot any time I needed to get away.

I do this because I want to pass that amazing experience I received from them on to another group of wonderful people, my students. I do this for the Saturdays where we spend a whole day together joking about senseless things while wiring different parts of the robot. I do this because every time one of them reminisces about something FIRST related, I know that something good has stuck. I do this because I know they will each use something from this program that is worthwhile. I know this because I have time and time again.

I do this because I love the competition. I love meeting new people. I love seeing the magic of the lights, cameras, and music. I love the drama of the finals.

I do this because its awesome.

Why do you do this?

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

The question is "why not"? Are there any reasons why one should not participate? At least the reasons that would outweigh the positive aspects of the program. I can not think of any. That is my response.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Said perfectly!! I do this because of what it did for my son. He went from a geeky kid who the people at school said would never amount to anything due to learning disabilities. He is now our team engineer!!!! He is still a geek but this coach/mentor/Mom LOVES geeks!!!!

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

i do this for the fun, i do this for the comradery, i do this because i love the idea, i do this for the joy of competing with something that i have but my blood sweat and tears into, i do this because i love the people i work with, i do this because of those weekends i spend in the shop trying to prove im not insane and that that wheel really should be touching the ground, i do this because who wants to study when you can wrench on a robot, i do this because it is amazing to go to competitions and compete with so many people who love this as much as i do, i do this because it is an amazing experience.

and the only thing i see as a disadvantage to those long hours of hard work is a little less time to spend with my girlfriend

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Well, we have a "Septemberfest" here in a park that's pretty big. Stands are set up everywhere and its pretty awesome. My last year in middle school I went there and saw a stand for one of the FIRST teams from the local schools (Of the 3 high schools, 2 at the time had FRC teams, and the one I was headed for was the one without it). It was the 07 (Rack N roll) robot they had out on display, driving it around with a donation bucket in its claw. They asked what high school I was going to and I said west, and they explained how the other schools had a team and they were trying to start one at west. Long story short, the next school year I happened to stop at a water fountain in my new school and found a robotics poster above it. If it wasn't for that, I woulda just took a sip and kept on walking. But now here I am four years later, my life completely changed.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Why do I do this???

The changes I see in kids from year to year and over the years.

The excitement in their voices and the stars in their eyes.

The lives I've seen changed because of their experiences with FIRST.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Because the first time I walked into Stuyvesant I saw the robots and immediately thought about making a robot to take over the world, and that it was a good place to start this "First" thing. I also thought "FIRST" robotics was like "Intro to robotics" and was concerned... took a while before someone explained it was an acronym haha.

Now I do it because it's fun, and there's always a new thing to fantastically fail mid build season.

And seriously, would you really give up your weekends and vacation if it were anything else?

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

You know, I was asked something similar while being interviewed for our Chairman's submission, and at least in my opinion it's a very thought provoking question.

I do this for the relationships I've formed. I do this because three years ago I was a lonely young man, awkward around people and trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to be, and now I have a group of like minded friends that I can be around without feeling like I have to be someone I'm not. Because there was a time when I couldn't find a reason to leave my house most days, assuming I felt it was worth getting up to begin with. This program has done more than just teach me about business, or engineering, or problem solving. It may have been the technical aspect that brought me in, but it's everything else that keeps me here.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I do this because one day at school, I saw a poster about this "robotics team" that went to Disney World to compete, and I went to a meeting. It was a short meeting, one I'm not even sure lasted 15 minutes, but right then and there I was hooked, and I never looked back.

I do it for the great stories and experiences its given me, and the joy of sharing them with new friends and a new generation of kids just like I was then.
I do this for the challenge of solving an incredible design problem, and the magic and thrill of the competition.
I do this because of all the amazing people I've met along the way, some I am proud to call my closest friends and greatest role models.
I do this to see the light in one of my students' eyes when they finally "get it".

I do this to give something back in return for all the opportunities it has given me, and taken me to a place and a career I love and would have never dreamed I'd be in.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I have a long list of reasons that I do this, that I will post sometime when I'm more awake. But this one was the biggest reminder that I've gotten in a long, long time why I do this.

I was reffing an FLL competition. A team of several young girls, no older than 10 or 11, comes up to my table. They were very enthusiastic about the whole thing, particularly the two at the table running the robot, despite not having the greatest robot in the world. It only went for about 145 points, out of 400. But on this run, most everything fell right for them. And the girls were psyched.

The way things normally work, the ref just checks off a series of boxes, without calculating any scores. But these girls were so excited about their run, that they wanted their score now. Normally, ref's aren't supposed to do this, but I decided to be nice, take the 15 seconds or so to tally their points, and told them that they'd gotten a 130.

It wasn't much. But they went berserk, hugging each other, high-fiving me, and just generally being the most excited people I've ever seen. They might have just saved someone's life. Well, if you take the task descriptions of FLL literally, they did.

That was the highlight of the day, until I left. As I left, I walked past one of the girls who had been at the table, talking to her dad. And as I passed, I overheard "I used to want to be a ballerina, but now I want to be a ballerina, and a Biomedical Engineer." Dad smiled.

Mission, accomplished.

I do this because I love to watch people get excited about the stuff that's going to save the world someday, and doing what I can to get them there.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I do it to better myself and others. I've become more confident, I've become a leader, and I've become member of a family who has me covered in every situation I could dream of. After seeing how much this program has benefited me, I want to see the same thing happen with others, students and mentors alike. This has given me more opportunities and has opened my mind to the engineering world, which I had been totally closed to before December of my freshman year.

I also do it for the competitions and the people. Seeing so much inspiration and joy and teamwork and love at the competitions brings tears to my eyes. Also, seeing a product of my own actions on the field makes me feel more proud of myself than any school project could. And with the people I've met, I could ramble for hours about how much they mean to me. I don't know what my life would be like if I hadn't met the people I know now, and I treasure and build upon that every day.

Touche, sir.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I started doing this because I thought I would learn some things, make a few friends, and get to skip some classes to go hang out at the competitions.

After 6 years I do this because every day I wonder where I would be if I hadn't started.

I do this because I want everyone in the world to have the opportunities to learn what my mentors taught me.

I do this because I love the feeling of accomplishing my goals, and helping others to accomplish theirs.

I do this because I see kids who feel like they're outcasts or misfits or shutouts find a group of peers they can relate to and learn with.

I do this because I truly believe the world would be a much sadder place without FIRST.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I blame it on my daughter's 4th grade teacher, lo these many years ago. She said, "I really think B.... should be on the team." (It was near the beginning of FLL; they didn't compete that year but did compete in Volcanic Panic the next year.) It snowballed from there. As Dean says, you get sucked in ...

After 4 years of FLL, she moved on to FRC. My wife and I thought we ought to give a little something back, and volunteered to work at the FLL state championship; we kept technical judging on time! 7 years later we're still at it, reffing and judging, because we think the program is so good for the kids.

In her first year at FRC, we found that just watching from the stands is really boring, especially on Thursday. So I started volunteering in FRC as well - pit admin, queuing, and eventually refereeing. Again, I keep with it because I like working with the kids, and can see how much this program can do to help kids.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

My mum always had denied me Lego League, and no matter how much I wanted to play, she said no.

So in high school, she said I could join anything I wanted.

The 'FIRST' thing I found was robotics.

A few of my friends were joining the team, and I figured I had nothing to lose.

.. Yet again, guess who was wrong?

That year, between homework, building a robot, Getting chased by 2 colour tracking robots, discovering Lime green and maroon are BAD colours to wear next to Lunacy targets, I fell in love with this program.

I made so many new friends, met people from across the state [and Canada, we didn't go to nationals] that I am now a 3 year Vet on my school's 3 teams [The RoboDawGs] and I know I still have much to learn. But time's a wasting! I have practice in a half hour! I must be off!

[Robots]

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Andy,
I do it because I know the ten to fifteen graduates we have each year have the potential to become great citizens and have fun in a career that they love. And even if only one of those each year, helps someone else in their lifetime, it will have been worth it. There is nothing like the feeling you have when you impart knowledge to someone and they then pass it on to others. We get to see that all the time.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I've had many reasons to do this but one of the main reasons is falling in love with the community and people involved in FIRST. It is amazing how much support and confidence you can gain by being involved in FIRST. In the big scheme of things, today, I am solely involved because I have a chance to make an impact of some sort and network with some of the coolest nerdy people on the planet.:D

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

To add, these students also have talents and dreams that they can take the time to explore and develop on the team.

And... there are mentors/potential mentors who have found or can find a place to explore and develop their skills, talents, and dreams alongside the students, finding a group that they can relate to and learn with/from.

It's very special.

Jane

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I do this because it is a fun learning expericnce for me.:D

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

What? Wait, why isn't your girlfriend on the team?

I got hooked on FIRST the first time I went to the LA Regional. The amazing talent, enthusiasm, spirit, GP that I saw from those teams impressed me so much. I keep coming back because FIRST is like a string you keep pulling and every pull brings into your life something more amazing than the last pull.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Not all of us had our wives get us involved Rich ;) Some people just aren't interested...

For me, I do this because it is the only place I feel somewhat normal and because our students really love it.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

It's fun.

This is how I learned that engineering is such a GREAT fit for me and I want to do everything I can to make sure everyone has the opportunity to discover that engineering is something worth looking into.

I want people to realize they can do something other than sports and still have competition.

FIRST gave me a lot so it only makes sense that I give back.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Because I'm a masochist.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Yeah, what he said.


.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I do this for the same reason I teach -- because I realized that making the world a better place involves fostering the interpersonal relationships of those around you and trying to inspire those who look up to you to be their best.

Oh, and what the Lavery-types said.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I decided to participate in FIRST because it fulfilled my dreams as a kid. I wanted to do something that made me feel comfortable. FRC provides that with giving me the tools and people to build my life after high school. My whole life the only thing I really wanted to do is build things. Then, I was introduced into engineering when I was about 10. Everything sky rocketted from there ever since.

I do this because it's not only what I love, it's actually a part of myself.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I keep coming back because I cannot stay away. FIRST pulls on me, even if I try to fill my time with other passions.

All of those other passions center on efforts to anticipate the future, to various ends. FIRST shows me the future by immersion -- I am literally surrounded by those who will inhabit and shape it, and I get to help them. Right now.

:D

Re: Why do we do this anyway
 

Back in 2002 my wife said she had a headache & couldn't take out older son to his 2nd meeting. He was a senior in HS & was considered the castaway nerd. But then one of his friends suggested he go to a robotics meeting since he was already an autodesk student. Well he was already hooked & I became hooked at my 1st meeting. I soon found I could help in the non-engineering areas. Since this was Suffield's 2nd year doing the Scrimmage, they needed help & I jumped at the chance. In the years since, I have gone from parent to volunteer, mentor & friend to all the students. I have seen them come as afraid weak freshman & leave as worthy engineers, public speakers, finance advisors & cheerleaders. I have seen them take on a quandary of problems & come up with solutions. I have seen them be accepted to colleges because FIRST was there to help them out. My younger son joined in his freshman year & stayed with it until he joined the Navy. This will be my 3rd years as a volunteer at the CT Regional & I love it! That is why I do it.

Re: Why do we do this anyway
 

I do this because FIRST provided me a safe and loving place in which I could learn, not only about robots, but about all aspects of living. And as I struggle to remain optimistic through the trials of everyday life, FIRST remains a place I can always go back to and feel, without conscious effort, good.

To this day I really don't even know the story with FIRST and VEX. I was a student on my high school team when they made the switch, and my only reaction was, "cool, new control system." Over time I've realized that whatever happened must have left a bad taste for some teams. That's unfortunate, and I guess the best I can say is that, for me at least, these "politics" have had absolutely no effect on what FIRST is really about.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I came & stayed in FIRST because of several things:

- I've always aspired to be a robotics engineer, and to be able to work with Dean Kamen, since I read an article 9 years ago. It was a piece from TIME Magazine called "Reinventing the Wheel" that highlighted Dean Kamen & the Segway. My dream is to work at DEKA R&D or NASA, and be able to change the world. That article sits on my desk now as a little reminder of where I'm shooting towards.

- I never got to do the whole FLL experience, although I spent my entire time in middle school trying to convince the principal to provide funding for one. My entire time in the 7th & 8th grades, I was waiting for the day when I could join CircuitRunners Robotics #1002. Entering FRC in my freshman year, I found that it was the experience that I had craved in a academic setting; where I could actually be hands-on with what I've learned in school. The day after my first FIRST Regional @ Peachtree, I realized that, even as a teenager, I could do things that could change how science, technology, engineering, & mathematics education was done. Going to my first FIRST Championship in 9th grade, I watched the finals on Einstein. With Dave Lavery as the energetic announcer, and the roar of the crowd, it felt like those moments that you see on ESPN, for events like the NBA Finals. It's been my dream to be standing on Einstein, drowning in colored streamers, holding up the championship trophy.

- The Dean's List Award really helped focus me on why I first came here. To be able to work with FIRST on a whole new level with awesome new teammates from around the world, it has made me realize that we, as students, are the frontline to the success of FIRST; not as a competition, but as a movement. That we're not creating just robots, but student leaders who will serve their communities during their youth, & ultimately humankind over their lives. This award, honoring a leader who served the FIRST community for its entire lifetime, Jack Kamen, puts a light on what real leadership is: servant leadership. Through this, I've also realized that working with FIRST Robotics could be a real career for me in the future. :)

- FIRST creates families. I've felt that over the last 3 years, many of my teammates have become brothers & sisters to me, mentors as mothers & fathers, & mentees as sons & daughters. I mean, going to NH, and seeing Dean & his family all involved in the essence of FIRST, it's made me realize that FIRST itself is a family.

- And finally: a guy by the name of Al George (now my mentor & like my second dad), told me this as a freshman: "You know who most high school girls love? Guys that do robotics." And then he told me as I stood on the Championship stage after getting the Dean's List Award: "Told you 3 years ago. Here's a Sharpie, rockstar," as several girls started to ask me for autographs. :D

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I do it because if I were a kid again this is what I would want to be doing. At the time and place...it wasn't there for me. I'll be damned if the opportunity won't be there for my students.

I do it because it's better than anything I can accomplish in the regular classroom, and because industry "gets it" and wants to help.

I do it because there are some great professionals out there that I have had the pleasure of meeting because we do this, and I'd like to continue to work with them while meeting new people (and mentors for myself) along the way.

I coach robotics and I coach soccer. The two are very similar. I have pre-season and build season to teach; after that it's up to the kids what they do really. I have practice to teach; on the field the kids have to make decisions for themselves. If they don't get it right on the field, I need to do better in practice.

It just works for me (and my wife is starting to like it...just a little...I think!) This is year 3 and she wants to help with events!

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Well said James.

As a menor I wish I had FIRST when I was in high school / college.

I have learned so much from working with he "kids".

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

All right, I'm just going to try to jump into this without making it a thousand words lol. When I first joined, I was a freshman and a cheerleader... I had been taking piano lessons since I was four and vocal/performance lessons for a few years. By that time I had recorded a demo and my mentality was "why spend four years of time and a lot of money in college when I could be advancing my music career!?". I happened to have a study hall for a semester that year of high school and one of our mentors would ask me every day "So, want to be an engineer yet?". I would just shrug off the question. The Granite State Regional came around, and the answer was simply yes. I'm now in my senior year of high school, one of our two "co-CEO"s (like a president/captain) on our 65-student team, and going to Florida Institute of Technology next year with a FIRST scholarship for Aerospace Engineering. Why do I do FIRST now? To somehow, hopefully, allow what happened to me to happen to at least one other person. It doesn't mean making a person go into engineering, it's encouraging an environment where kids can learn what's fun for them and feel confident about their choices. Every day I come to FIRST and think "I want my job to be just like today's meeting... oh, wait! I'm going to be an engineer!" I also mentored an FLL team this year, and an 8th grader on the team e-mailed me when he found out about my scholarship (his dad's now a mentor on our FRC team) congratulating me and sent me a wonderful letter on how I've inspired him and he can't imagine not joining the team next year. He also said that I've inspired him to mentor an FLL team when he joins the FRC team too. I almost cried... there are ways to tell that I've helped others on the team over the last couple of years find their niche, but for this kid to flat out tell me that what I've done to him he wants to do to others was eye-opening for me. I do FIRST because I want what happened to me to happen to others, and I've kept on keeping on because it's working! As a side note, I also plan on mentoring an FRC team through college :).

Oh... and it's FUN! I've made so many friends not only on my team but on a lot of teams in the area. We still hang out with our friends from other teams that we've both won with and competed against :).

Well, so much for not a high word count!

-Gen

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Cause my siblings did it and I was dragged to a regional*. I didn't join cause I wanted to build things- I wanted to write when I started high school. I joined cause the regional looked like fun.

They taught me to weld and the rest was history. :)

*To this day, my most prominent memory of the event is Wildstang's multi-colored fan section. Team parents and myself couldn't believe that a team could be that big.

Make her join. In the few relationships that I've been in, the best one was with another kid on the team. :P

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I've asked myself this a couple of times and not necessarily in good humor. I originally joined robotics because my brother wanted to and my mom didn't want to drive him across town unless I joined as well.

I'm not good with mathematics and science. I don't know how to code. I can be a bit of a priss.

But then I realized that I don't have to be good at math and science to be on the team. I don't have to know how to code. And being worried about getting messy is no fun when there's gluing to be done!!

I'm not the person who draws up the robot's design. I don't figure out which parts we'll need. I don't even understand some of the language used in building a robot.

But I love putting things together and taking them apart. I love building our practice course. I love the indescribable feeling of joy when the robot works, or when a difficult problem is resolved. I love going to competitions and cheering on the team, meeting new people, and knowing I'm a part of something far more important than any small-town sport. I love watching and videotaping competitions. And I absolutely adore feeling like I'm in a huge, worldwide, crazy, and absolutely fantastic family.

That's why I joined.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I do it to learn, I do it to teach others what I have learned, I do it to be a part of something bigger, I do it because I know it makes me better, and others better too, I do it for the mentors and for the students, I do it for the love of FIRST, and for all they have given me

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I know I have already posted a response, but I will add one final post. To all the above students who have taken the time to explain their reasons for joining, here is my answer. I do it for all the students who have made something of their lives & possibly played a part of.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Why do I keep coming back? Many, many reasons.

As a teacher, there's nothing better than seeing students be successful, especially when they overcome a challenge through their own hard work and persistence. Being a part of an FRC team also provides an opportunity for them to learn coping skills when things don't go right, and also those sometimes elusive interpersonal skills. In other words, it gives the students real life experience that isn't always available in a traditional classroom setting.

I get to work with a truly amazing group of parents and mentors that also believe in the values of FIRST, and I'm grateful to them for working so hard to provide opportunities for the students to learn and excel. Their dedication inspires me to do what I can to keep this program going strong.

And of course it's fun! We laugh a lot, dance a lot, and have a blast at competitions. I've found the place where I can truly be myself. Some of the relationships we've made will last forever. And that's the best gift of all :)

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

From a student, even though you're not mentoring my team, that means so much!! 1073 will see Aces High if you come to Connecticut again :)

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I joined FIRST simply because when I heard about the robotics club at the freshmen orientation last year, I thought, "Well, cool. It's a robot that's working. That looks cool." I attended the first meeting for robotics, which was like after school on Tuesday. I missed a few meetings (because I was on the XC team also) by accident. The 2010 kickoff came around then. After the announcement of Breakaway, I was literally thrown into a frenzy that I wasn't aware about. 1529 then made the trip to DC, and that was when I knew where I was supposed to be.

The thing though was that from the beginning FIRST was very faaaaar back in my head. I had music and running going on for me at the time, and the last thing I needed to worry about robotics. I'm glad the Mom kept pushing me to go on Tuesdays.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I do this because there's nothing like taking a pile of metal, some sheets of plastic, and some wires, and transforming it into a robot, made with your blood, sweat, and tears. There's nothing like that 11 pm meeting the night before regionals (for you FRC'rs, the equivalent to ship date), rebuilding the robot again. There is nothing like going nuts over winning a match 11-10 against the second place team when you're currently ranked 49th in the 50 team division. There's nothing like seeing your team name up on the board in the running for the Inspire award (Chairman's award analog) and thinking: "no way, no way, it can't happen, there's no way, we're just a rookie team, our robot didn't move for 2 matches... OMG WE'RE GOING TO ATLANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: " And there's nothing like being in the middle of a massive crowd in the Georgiadome, doing the slow wave while watching a bunch of massive metal contraptions generally being awesome and knowing...it was worth all the late nights, the hard work, and all the madness....because THIS IS FIRST.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I do this because of the jokes. The fun times when its late at night and we all want to just keep going. I do it so I can remember the funny things me and my friends would do. I do it because the team is my family. I do it because when I wake up in the morning I have something to look forward to. But I mainly do it because of the people, not just my team, but all the people I meet at competitions.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

Aces High will be there. I will be a volunteer on the field as the FTAA. Stop by & say hi.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

This. Exactly this.

Re: Why do we do this anyway?
 

I feel I have learned more about myself, leadership, and engineering in the past 4 years on this team than I could have in any courses at the high school. I went from a freshman who knew almost nothing about mechanical systems to a captain calculating gearbox ratios, designing robot frames, custom gearboxes and passing on my electrical and pneumatic knowledge to other students.

I have met many great people at competitions and through Chief Delphi that I hope will be friends for a lifetime. Despite still being a student is makes me proud to see the impact I make on students who come in with entirely different aspirations.

And the pride I get in seeing what I have put so many hours into run (good or bad on the field). Those who commented on blood, sweat, and tears; that really applies to me, I am pretty sure I managed to bust up my knuckles at the very least on every robot usually resulting in a little blood on it.