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I consider myself privileged to be a part of FIRST and a member of terrific team, one that I am and always will be proud of. We are very fortunate to have the generosity of Laron Engineering and two of their top engineers. I think we can all agree that the experiences we gain through FIRST are life changing. Everyone knows that FIRST involves kids and robots, however I think some people have a difficult time figuring out just why FIRST was founded.
"The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting, nationwide competition that teams professionals and young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience-and a lot of fun."
That is a direct quote taken from the FIRST web site. I believe some people are confusing FIRST with high school science projects. It is impossible for a group of high school students to design, engineer and build a working robot it six weeks on their own without outside help. FIRST pairs engineers from all around the country with students and challenges them to work together and learn about science and technology. FIRST is not a project that is limited to students, and to the contrary of some people's beliefs does not forbid the involvement of engineers. Teams like us that have the gracious help of engineers are not a minority, but a majority in FIRST. It is adult involvement with students that has made FIRST so successful.
Team 60 is one of the many teams that is privileged to have the involvement of two very dedicated engineers. Two people that I have the utmost respect and gratitude for. I can assure you the purpose of our team is not to win. Our team's mission is out to educate and inspire kids in our community in science and technology. Our engineers lend their knowledge, help and support not just to our team, but to numerous teams across the west. I know that there are others out there in the FIRST community that have known us throughout the years and know that we are always willing to help any team that desires our assistance.
I can assure everyone that every student on our team has had an integral part in our robot. Not everyone is capable of knowing the Coefficient of Friction on the tread of the wheel, or that traction is directly proportional to weight and the COF. I am very fortunate to have had an excellent background in Physics and am very happy to know these things. Polishing the arm of the robot may not be as important or as glamorous as calculating the gear ratio, or programming the robot; however these are all necessary things that students on our team have done.
I welcome all types of comments about our robot and our team, whether it be positive or negative feedback. I look forward to sharing our ideas with others that are unfamiliar with our team. I also would like to invite anyone that has questions about our team or robot to feel free to ask them. You can post them on Chief Delphi's web site, email our team through our web site, email me directly, or come visit us at any of our competitions. I look forward to the opportunity of sharing my knowledge with the rest of the FIRST community and learning about other teams as well.
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