Quote:
Originally posted by Pamela
But once I got to work hands on the robot with the engineers helping us out and giving us instruction I decided to go to a good engineerign school so one day I could to work with high school kids in a great program like FIRST.
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And I think you picked a fine Engineering School!
Seriously, I agree with everything you said. On my team, we engineers (most with 20-30 years experience) are trying to have the students do as much as possible. However, there are some things, mostly organizational, that we really have to take charge of, or there would be no robot on shipping day. Our team is only in it's third year, and a solid organizational system hasn't yet evolved. All of us mentors/engineers are in a military organization, and are used to taskings, responsibility, mission accomplishment, and rigid discipline. We are at the school working on the robot nearly every day, but most students show up sporatically. So we end up being the continuity.
It is gratifying this year to see that a couple of the freshman and sophmore students have really grasped the concept of the electrical and control systems, and can operate without much guidance in that area. They still need a LOT of help in the mechanical and drivetrain area. They have lots of ideas, but can't execute them. The engineers have to guide them into the realm of the possible. But that will change. As the team gets more experience, they'll be able to do that, too.
Great discussion. My philosophy is just try to make it better every year.
Regards, and have fun in the frozen Northland,
Bruce C.
BSEE
Clarkson College of Technology, Class of '70