[Ebolagirl]

Where's the choice for student designed/student built with a little bit of mentor guidance? After all, according to the Oxford dictionary the definition of mentor is one who is a “experienced and trusted advisor”. And the definition of advise is to “counsel, guide, steer; caution, admonish, warn; suggest”. In neither of those definitions does it indicate that a mentor is someone who “does”. They are merely a source of guidance, and advisor. And that is exactly what our mentor is. He is an advisor and only that. He never lays a finger on our robot.

Fr- “in the interest or benefit of”
I:nspiration- “creative force or influence stimulating creativity”
And
R:ecognition- “realize or discover the nature of”
Of
S:cience- “branch of knowledge involving systemized observation and experimentation”
And
T:echnology-“study or use of the mechanical arts and applied sciences”

Nowhere in the FIRST acronym does it indicate how inspiration and recognition should occur. So it is difficult to justify either student or engineer designed/built. But, as we all know, the best way to learn is through FIRST hand experience, and the best way for a student to acquire that experience is through both the conceptual design process and through the actual hands on building (Paulo Freire would admire FIRST in this regard because it removes all “banking” in the unavoidable educational experience).