Quote:
Originally Posted by Anupam Goli
If FIRST wishes to influence more students, I feel like being integrated with schools would be able to reach more students. I haven't really talked in depth on this matter to a key figure in a community-based STEM program, but working with schools seems to get more students involved.
At the same time, community-based programs seem to be stronger and more sustainable, but that's an argument for another day...
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There is a balance that can maintain both the school and community. In Minnesota we have ample supply of both community teams and school sponsored teams; our team (FRC 4607) has struck such a balance. The team is 'hosted' by the school, but the community funds the team. I am certain that we are not the first to arrive at this model - but it has worked wonders for us...
What seemed to be a big offset for us when we started (the school not providing any funding at all) actually became our ace in the hole. We have gained many sponsors over our nearly four year history - and most are at the $250-500 level. Because of this, our community outreach squad has evolved into our main project on our team - how do we get more people involved?
We have also worked with two rookie teams - the first (Team A) taking the easy money from the school and the second (Team B) going the same path that we have gone. There is no doubt which team is the stronger and has the propensity to survive the tough seasons. Team A has exactly 4 sponsors whereas Team B is still hard at work gaining new sponsors and fundraising their hearts out. After one season, Team B boasts nine sponsors - and many I wish were sponsors of my own team as these sponsors are large corporations in MN.
We are now working with three other districts to start their own teams. We are using Team B's success (and our own) to champion this hybrid of funding/hosting.
But each team/school/community is different - and our sample size is small.