[GaryVoshol]

I've been reading this thread with great interest. I don't think the positions are as far apart as some people think they are.

As someone pointed out, it is the "FIRST Robotics Competition". Which means it is a competition sponsored by FIRST - "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology". The competition serves as a tool or medium to do the inspiring.

I'd like to look at this in a little different way. I'm a relative newby to FRC, although I have a long association through FLL. Another part of my life is being on the board of our local youth soccer association. In soccer, the point of being on the team is to play soccer - similar to the point that being on a FRC team is to play robotics. It's often pointed out that sports are also about gaining/keeping physically fit, learning about teamwork, learning about commitment, learning about yourself. FRC does that as well (except that the exercise is more mental than physical).

How much does the game itself, and the competition, mean? In youth soccer, there are two levels - commonly called recreational and competitive. In the rec divisions, the focus is on learning the skills and rules needed to play the game. Does that mean there is no competition - not at all! Ask any youth soccer referee, and she'll tell you that the World Cup is fought multiple times every weekend - the team, coaches and spectators have the same intensity. But that doesn't mean the learning aspect is removed. Also, Boards do things behind the scenes to make sure the competitiveness doesn't overwhelm the learning. Teams are balanced in abilities, and matchups between teams are arranged to have equal ability teams playing each other. Why? Because it keeps the kids interest in the game. If a team regularly loses 10-2 every weekend, the kids lose heart and quit. If a team regularly wins 7-0, the kids get complacent and don't advance in their skills.

A parallel can be drawn regarding the FRC. The game has to remain accessible to rookies, while being challenging enough for the veterans. There has to be interest in doing well - results on the field - to keep the kids inspired toward science and technology. Game results, trophies and awards, are recognition given for jobs well done. (We have to remember to continue to recognize all positive efforts though, not just the winning efforts.)

The competition is not the important thing, but it is the vehicle to get to the important thing. We are changing student's lives, sometimes in ways we don't ever comprehend.