Standard Disclaimer: The opinions presented below are my own and do not reflect those of my team.
After 15 years spent in FIRST, there's a lot of things I've figured out. The precise method by which the recipients of these awards is determined has not been one of those things.
After reading this thread, I guess my first thought is, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds the awards and judging process confusing."
In fact, it could still to this day remain as one of the great unsolved mysteries in FIRST. I don't know if there is any secret formula to winning the Engineering Inspiration Award, but if there is, I think
Team 3880 has found it, winning 6 times in 5 years. Maybe someone from that team can chime in here and enlighten us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hrench
It's my impression that the criteria to win Engineering Inspiration is the creation of engineering classes and engineering curriculum in your school, to encourages future engineers.
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I can just about guarantee you that isn't it. We've been there and done that, many years over now, and do not have a single EI to show for it. No disrespect to any previous winners (many of whom are friends of mine) but there are plenty of teams not even associated with a school that have received this award (and don't even get me started on how FIRST as an organization generally undervalues partnerships and integration
with schools).
Quite honestly, the mystery and inconsistency surrounding these awards, and my team's experiences surrounding our efforts toward them over the past several years has caused me to redirect my focus not toward winning awards, but toward educating students. And furthermore, I've come to realize that in some instances,
that goal can be better achieved through programs other than FIRST Robotics.
And one more point: I've also perpetually wondered why the Engineering Inspiration Award wins you a $5,000 check and the Chairman's Award (FIRST's so-called "highest honor") wins you a $5,000 invoice. It's a very mixed message if you ask me.