[Aignam]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Let me suggest that you might look at this in a different way.

If the purpose of a program is to inspire students and show them the fun and excitement of engineering and science, what good can be done if the only students you reach are the ones that were already going to be engineers and scientists? They already "get it" and are already on the right path. The ones that need to be reached (and impacted and inspired) are those that are NOT normally in this group. For the sake of this discussion, let's assume that the typical high school athelete fits into that second group (yes, I know there are lots of exceptions, but go along with me for a minute).

Given that, how do you attract a typical "jock" to become part of a "geek" activity? Well, how about including something in the activity for which they are uniquely talented? They then have an opportunity to bring their skills into the activity and contribute. But at the same time, they get exposed to the skills and abilities of the rest of the "geek" team and activity. All of a sudden, a new world of opportunities may be opened for someone that never considered it before.

Wouldn't that get right to the core purpose of an organization that is trying to instill an appreciation of science and technology into those that may need it most?

Just a thought.

-dave


(/edit/ I just finished reading through the rest of the thread, and Aidan has basically said the same thing.)

To make an argument for arugment's sake:
What if, in doing this, you discourage the geeks, who are already sick of being 'second best' or never getting recognition or having to see the athletes always spotlighted? Would that be fair to them?