Thread: The Goals of FIRST
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Unread 17-04-2003, 13:43
Unsung FIRST Hero
JVN JVN is offline
@JohnVNeun
AKA: John Vielkind-Neun
FRC #0148 (Robowranglers)
Team Role: Engineer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Greenville, Tx
Posts: 3,159
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Who better to educate the students on a team, than actual engineers?

By phasing out engineer participation, you are robbing the students of the very education you are advocating.

I'm still of the opinion that students on "student built" teams learn a lot... but ultimately learn less than those on "engineer built" teams. There is only so much a HSer can teach himself, whereas an experienced engineer can show the kid "the world."

Just my opinion...

I used to advocate a student built robot, but the more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that...
Trial and Error is NOT the best way to learn engineering.

While letting someone figure something out for themselves might be the best way to teach them... A little guidance probably goes a Loooooooooong way.

I like this quote:
"Your engineers are kinda like instruction manuals. You can try to build w/o the manual, but chances are you will end up with extra parts.." - D.J. Fluck

I think DJ pretty much summed it up right there.
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In the interest of full disclosure: I work for VEX Robotics a subsidiary of Innovation First International (IFI) Crown Supplier & Proud Supporter of FIRST
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