|
FIRST's goal is to inspire people to pursue careers in science and engineering.
It's mechanism is to create an environment in which Engineers are recognized as role models.
FIRST creates an avenue where young people are exposed to Engineers in daily life. If you think about it, there are no TV programs glorifying the world of engineering. There are very few outreach activities which put engineers directly into contact with the community.
So, if you take the Engineers out of FIRST, what do you have left?
Although Engineers are extremely competitive, we all need to realize that FIRST is -not- about winning the competition. The only reason to have the reaction "Those lousy engineers out-designed me" is because you are too focussed on winning.
The best part of the competition (for me) is to go around the pits on practice day (usually after the crowds have left) and check out all the great designs that people have put together.
Some of the most talented people in the world are designing robots in FIRST. If that were taken away, all of us would be poorer for it.
|