Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

OK, here is a direct report from the field.

We were presenting to the Riverside Rotary club today with two robots present. A lady walks in, her first question: "Are those FIRST robots?"

Then she continues that she had seen the special on TV Sunday and was hooked. She contacted the principal at her son's middle school and her son's scoutmaster and told them what she had seen and wanted their help to get involved.

Well, today she met us, and now we will be working with the school and the scout team to start a couple FLL teams.

Directly as a result of the special on Sunday and being prepared to bring someone new into the FIRST family.

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

mission accomplished.

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

Sound great except that I would recommend starting VRC or FTC teams for those ages.

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

Depends on the age of the Scouts in question.

If it's a Cub Scout pack (8-10, IIRC), FLL would probably be a good fit. Webelos, too (10-11 years old).

But if you've got a Boy Scout troop (11-18), or a Venture crew (16?-21), then VRC, FTC, or possibly FRC would be the way to go.

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

Very cool.
Yes ma'am, they are.

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

Venturing starts at 14 (or 13, if they've completed 8th grade). Still at the age where they've outgrown FLL.



Way to go, rsisk.

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

Venture Crew is 14-21

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

By Scoutmaster I'm going to assume you meant regular Boy Scouts, and not Blue Loops or Green Shirts. :D

In that case you could go either way. I know in my troop the younger guys wouldn't quite ready for FTC yet however with the older boys the FLL ship has sailed.

If you did mean a Cub Scout Pack, FLL all the way.

As for Venturing, Obviously FTC, but honestly with funding I could see FRC. Unlike CS and BS, Venturing allows much more freedom with program and what one chooses to focus on. I could see a Venture Crews entire January February Program being based in FRC.

Either way good luck to that unit interested in starting a team. As a Scout myself, I can entertain the fact that many leadership and people skills I've learned in Scouts have come in mighty handy with FIRST.

Yours in FIRST and Scouting,

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

Plus we see so many FIRST girl scout team (i.e the Space Cookies) it would be nice to also see some boy scout teams.

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

Am I the only one that gets chills reading this thread and realizing the impact of what is happening?

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

What do you mean? Good chills or bad?

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

Good. I just get the feeling that what we experienced might have had great historical relevance. The sheer reach that this had and the impact that it might have made. Its really awe-inspiring really. It will be amazing to see the number of new teams next year and compare it to normal annual growth(which was always large). We had a roughly 14% growth in the number of teams in FRC last year. How much growth will we see this year? I wouldn't be surprised if it hits 30% just reading these stories. We all have something to look forward to.

Jason

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

It appears that FIRST is trying to track this type of information. There was mention of a Brandeis-commissioned longitudinal study of participants, in Bill's Blog-July 27.

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

No, you're definitely not the only one :D

Re: "i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th
 

I was not there at the Championships, therefore I was not at the concert. But I can go by what was shown on TV. I think they should have sung "Where is the Love" over some of their song choices. It has a better message.