Quote:
Originally Posted by gblake
In order to reach more students, and especially in areas that might need STEM programs more that others, I would make FTC (or something similar) the primary/flagship emphasis of FIRST, and would let FRC become the follow-on program, for those students and adults who want to graduate from FTC.
FTC is the far easier way (far less intimidating, faster tangible results, easier what-if experimentation, etc. etc.) to introduce an uninspired novice to STEM robotics. FTC is the far less costly program. FTC is the far less time-consuming program. FTC is the far more hands-on program. FTC events are far easily to produce, etc.
Blake
PS: Remember that simply convincing K-12 students to try a STEM education/career is a success. It isn't necessary to actually train them (deeply) in any of the various STEM disciplines. That happens in vocational schools, colleges and afterward.
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I agree with this. It doesn't remove FRC and it doesn't stop FRC from teaching skills to people that are nearly adults. It reaches out to students that are about to have greater freedom to make elections towards their future before they do so. Hopefully that way if they choose to step into FRC they can set their goals realistically.
To put that in perspective: I was a vocational student before I left high school. I left the later part of the day and was taken to the vocational school to spend several hours working on a real world skill. FIRST wasn't available to me back then, my motivator was I already knew what I liked doing because I did it in my family business. I don't know if 2 years at the start of high school would drive most people to commit like that. 2 years in high school and a few years before that would give a lot of people a great idea where they want to be.