Quote:
Originally posted by Katie Reynolds
Rbayer - I completely agree. It really irks me when I see engineers working on the robots in the pits and whatever - not because I don't think they should be involved, but because I feel it's a better learning experience for the kids to actually be able to do something, and work on the robot than to stand around and say "Oh, cool. Look at what my engineer is doing." That's why I love our engineers. In the pits, and especially during the build season, if we need to build or fix something, our engineers step back and say, "get to it," rather than saying "oh, ok - watch me while I fix the problem." If a kid can be inspired by just standing around and watching an engineer work, that's fine - but I really think they are missing out on a lot of the experience of being in FIRST if they just sit back and polish wheels or something.
- Katie
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This same subject comes up every year like clockwork, taking the view that the students should be doing all of the work also requires that you have a group of students who are capable and willing to do the work. On our team, as well as on many other teams there is a group that is hands on that wants to fix, and build parts for the robot then there are others who would rather walk around and watch the event. If a team has all students working on the robot, great, all engineers, hey that's their deal also great. I still stand to my feeling that FIRST isn't about creating a team of machinists and welders, you don't have to wrench on bolts to be excited or 'inspired' to go into engineering. In fact as an engineer my job NEVER requires that I machine anything or assemble anything.
Ohhh well this thread should have 100 more posts going either way before the kickoff