[EricH]

NASA gets people interested, if only for a little while, in science and technology. Particularly kids. Think the U.S. basketball team at the Olympics.

FIRST (and other similar organizations) take that interest and give it something concrete to manifest in. Think local youth basketball leagues (and school teams, etc.) They also sift out the committed for the next level.

College gives the students, now with some practical experience in engineering, the tools to do full-on engineering like sending rovers to Mars. During this time, the students can also be passing on their inspiration. Think NBA Development League.

Once the students get out of college, they go join NASA and other companies/organizations. The cycle begins again. And it's a beneficial one. (See NBA/ U.S. basketball team at the Olympics.)

So, who's ready to go from inspiration to manifestation of inspiration?