[Michael Sperber]

For starters, any opportunity to have an open debate about the state of education in this country, especially STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is good! As much as I hope that this debate will bring forth increased funding, support and resources to these areas, even if it doesn’t, I hope that it will, at least, bring attention.

The goal of FIRST is to inspire, not necessarily to educate. It is left up to the professionals (ie, teachers) to provide the formal education. As an engineering mentor, I see as one of my roles to show the students new techniques and ideas that they may have never seen, to provide a level of curiosity such they want to go back to their teachers and explore and learn why that technique or idea works.

Although I am a teacher, in that I teach things to the students, I am not a professional educator. I do not have training in educational theory, practice or development. Teachers are the educational specialists of our society, and they should be recognized as such. Although everyone may be a teacher, it is a long step from teacher to educator. We should be relying on the professional educators to provide the education to the students.

FIRST does a very good job in meeting its goal and mission: to inspire. I hope that the discussion (and hopeful action) of increasing funding for science and mathematics education provides the backbone and core educational skills necessary to support and promote the interest and excitement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

-mike