[ColleenShaver]

A great FIRST guy* once said "These robots are 3-dimensional physical metaphors for what we are actually trying to accomplish.."

I think FIRST is about inspiring, teaching, and developing people in a technological world. And I think if FIRST teaches you that engineering is not your thing, it is just as valuable (and successful) as if it creates new engineers. I think the whole FIRST experience is about learning that there is something more to everything, it's not all cut and dry, it's not all easy, and there are a lot of different angles to take.

As for the people on the sidelines, I think they are important. I think there just is a disparity between posters on what the 'sidelines' mean. I don't mean the kids who join to go to Disney, that's their choice to do their thing and I do not think they should be asked to leave a team (you'll find that once most start showing up and doing work, their motives will change... but this thread isn't to argue this), but I think the 'sidelines' meant the kids that don't necessarily want to be in the pit or doing the engineering but focusing on the other aspect of the robot.

These people are essential in FIRST as they are in any technological business. The researchers in any field find a problem, some engineers solve it, some writers gather info & write manuals, the economists determine marketability, the graphics people have to design the looks & packaging, the artists design the advertisements, etc, etc. You need the whole package to succeed to the best of your abilities.

I think being successful in FIRST is creating an environment where people can grow, learn, change, and recreate... just like we do with our robots. It's about making an environment where kids feel they can be successful... in whatever discipline they choose. The world would be pretty boring if we were all engineers...

I hope my post hasn't been too off base. I just think FIRST is about exposure to science & technology and working on acceptance on the greater scale of things. But like the Chairman's Award description says.. it's about the people.. the individuals behind it. Just like anything in life, you as an individual will take from it only how much you want.. A team in itself is simply a group of individuals who want something more, to learn something, to take something away.. no matter how big or small.

Mike Bastoni (*) said the quote at the beginning on some news interview back when I was a sophomore in high school (whoa.. 6 years ago!) and it has stuck with me ever since as my definition of FIRST.