[ebarker]

The goal of FIRST is to produce a culture that embraces and celebrates STEM activities, not shun them as in the past.

Admittedly some people will choose STEM careers as a result of all this activity. Others will choose careers with a new found respect for STEM.

Someone may become a teacher and encourage and support STEM activities unlike what used to happen in schools. Others will become parents or uncles/aunts/other career influncer and will support a kid interested in STEM (unlike the past).

Having said that it is a concern of mine that there is probably a overrepresentation of ME college applicants relative to other fields such as MSE, ChemE, BioE, CE, and the range of science degrees, engineering technology, and other related fields.

As for an art or communications majors: If they leave with a great attitude toward STEM activities, we did our job.