Quote:
Originally Posted by hrench
Actually, I'm a mentor that doesn't think this is that big of deal.
Yes, airplanes shouldn't be thrown when important things are happening and they shouldn't have anything but paper in them. But certainly they're not more dangerous than great big beach balls that routinely hit people in the head.
Paper airplanes are
1. an engineering competition
2. a social activity
3. a science demonstration.
I could go on. They're fun.
Yes, we could be staring into our cell phones instead. I prefer this.
Also, yes, OK, it's a big mess. Especially if people bring paper just for this, but in my experience it's been mostly paper from scouting reports, safety 'posters' and re-used paper and I'm mostly unfolding someone else's airplanes and making better ones. First isn't noted for being terribly green. And if you're re-folding planes, then you're 'reusing' right? The stadium-world is used to cleaning up huge messes after every event.
I'm not sure about this, but I suspect the people that have to clean these up are employees of the stadium, paid by the hour. They'll have to sweep the floor anyway, so sweeping airplanes isn't that much of a big deal. This actually gives them more work, hence more money. I doubt you'll hear them complaining if this is correct. Better than sweeping up beer bottles after a football game.
When I read the title 'being proactive' I thought this string would be about looking up and practicing actual airplane designs that are good, that win contests. Not just the boring barely-works dart planes most of you are throwing.
Yes, I mentor in paper airplane design too.
And if the people in charge want it to stop, and say so, I'll go along, but that wouldn't be my preference.
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I agree. I find the engineering challenge of the airplanes a lot of fun. Rarely do students have an opportunity to launch their creation from such a lofty site and some of our students will actually work on designs ahead of Championships. As far as dumping paper or throwing balls of paper - that is simply mindless vandalism. Akin to kicking over garbage cans.
Personally, I think the paper airplanes have a lot more going for them than the confetti dumped at the end of the competition. I know from experience it is a lot easier to clean up paper airplanes than small bits of 'confetti'. The confetti lasts all of 5 minutes, gets everywhere, sticks to everything.
As the quoted post mentions, making and throwing the airplanes is an exercise in social engagement. Thousands of students are taking part in a shared engineering challenge. Each has the opportunity to immediately evaluate the success of the others by simple observation and seeing a successful design, speculate on its construction and try it for themselves. Science Centres pay buckets for that kind of social interpretive experience.
I haven't really heard anyone official from FIRST saying to stop testing airplanes. On the contrary, I feel the responses of speakers (Dean) to incoming flyers actually encourages the students. If the organizers were to crack down on anything, I would prefer it to be dumping paper or throwing balls of paper. Continue to encourage experimentation, innovation and creativity in social experiences and I think you would discourage the other stuff.
I do agree with most people that throwing planes onto the field while the competition is happening is pretty poor judgement though.