FIRST has had written award submissions for decades. They've emphasized presentation skills, effective communication, and creativity (for the robot and via projects such as animations). In words and actions, they've promoted a well-rounded education that stresses the importance and influence of science and technology alongside other staples.
I imagine it is very difficult to make it through college and into a successful engineering career without these elements of effective communication. There are even awards, such as the Woodie Flowers Award, that champion individuals who are exceptionally gifted at this trait:
Quote:
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The Woodie Flowers Award celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. Dr. William Murphy founded this prestigious award in 1996 to recognize mentors who lead, inspire and empower using excellent communication skills. ... This award recognizes an individual who has done an outstanding job of motivation through communication while also challenging the students to be clear and succinct in recognizing the value of communication. As such, it is very important that this be a student-led effort and a student decision.
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You could literally be the world's foremost expert at anything - anything at all! - and that would be meaningless without the ability to share with others what you've learned. Referring to "the arts" covers just about everything else that isn't in the typical STEM acronym, but let's not forget that it covers
at least the basic communication skills which are vital to everything that IS within the STEM acronym. "The arts" doesn't cover only music and paintings, but even basic composition in its purest form.
The inclusion or exclusion of the extra letter is irrelevant - it is already present. Best to just let this one go.