Team 694 will be launching an initiative aimed at tackling the issue of knowledge disparity among new and old members of FIRST: a weekend-wide “idea drive” known as FIRSTthoughts. We are asking for teams to donate ideas and thoughts that have guided them throughout their team’s history, to be shared with teams in need of such knowledge.
What is FIRSTthoughts?
FIRSTthoughts takes the expertise of individual team members and mentors, and shares it with the greater FIRST community in the spirit of gracious professionalism. This project aims to tackle the “wealth gap” in experience and resources between veteran and rookie teams, and make the FIRST experience as valuable as possible for all participants.
How does it work?
Team members, mentors, and supporters can make a brief, 2-minute video of themselves (or let our handy crew do it for you at select FIRST Regionals) and upload it to YouTube. They can then embed that video on
www.FIRSTthoughts.org, where it will be tagged and archived along with the submissions of other participants from around the world. Topics for videos can include anything from a battle plan for fundraising to your team’s nifty trick for fixing leaky pneumatics. Then, when the time comes around when you need the answer to a quick question, or a starting point for your own idea, you can tap into the vast resources of the FIRSTthoughts archives for inspiration.
Sample Questions to Answer:- If a student learns nothing else from FIRST, what should one remember?
- How do you approach the design process?
- What is the hardest challenge your team has tackled?
FIRSTthoughts at the Hartford Regional:
FIRSTthoughts will have a crew operating at the Northeast Utilities Regional in Hartford, CT from 3/29-3/31. We’ll be visiting team pits, asking for a piece of your team’s experience.
Good luck to all -- can't wait for Thursday!