[Jon Stratis]

Dean's Homework every year is something that all teams should do, because the homework will help teams and FIRST accomplish their goals. Creating a video like this, for example, is something that teams can use in their promotional and fundraising activities, yet few teams do it.

So, why don't teams do it? There are a couple of reasons, I think.

First, most teams aren't at champs, and aren't there to hear the homework being given. For those teams, their season is already over, and they might not meet again until the fall. And once they do meet again, they're probably focused on other things (recruitment, fundraising, training, etc) and just don't think to go look up what Dean's Homework was.

Second, the benefit for teams isn't always directly apparent. It's not like the homework is required or earns them any direct benefit... the benefits come from how a team uses the results of the homework.

So, how do we fix this?

First, word on Dean's Homework needs to get out there more - Teams should be unable to avoid learning what the homework is (and by teams, I mean both mentors and students - it can easily be ignored in e-mail blasts that generally just go to mentors). We need to start talking about it at champs. Word needs to go out to the regional directors/planning committees to talk about it at off-season events in their area. We need to talk about it at kickoff. And it needs to not be due until a team's first regional (I know some teams that haven't even yet met since their last regional back in March!). I would be willing to bet that I could ask at my team's next meeting, and none of the students would be able to tell me what the homework was.

Second, there needs to be some sort of direct benefit/recognition to teams for completing the homework. While it adds some administrative overhead, I would support making completing the homework a requirement for Chairman's in future years. That one small change would get Dean's Homework much more visibility and participation.


I'm not positive, but I don't think my team submitted Dean's Homework this year. But that didn't stop us from creating a similar video to what the homework wanted in order to enter a contest to win $500 for the team from The Original Pink Box. The team saw a chance to get some direct, instant benefit from the activity, and took it. That's really what's missing from Dean's Homework.