[A. Snodgrass]

Dan, I wouldn't say that the letter actually solves the argument. Instead, I would say that the letter illustrates the founding mission of the program, "to shatter negative images that many children have regarding science and math." Does it really matter how students become inspired through the program to go into fields of science and engineering, so long as this program inspires them to do so?
With engineering enrollment down, at least in the US, introducing students to engineering, math and science fields is more important then ever. As put so elegantly in that letter, "We are in a battle to change mindsets and win over young minds." To that purpose, shouldn't our goal be to do so to the best of our abilities, instead of arguing which teams, or for that matter which type of teams more effectively can accomplish that? It would be a huge mistake to lose track of that goal in the arguments of 'what type of team is more effective', or 'what does gracious professionalism mean'.
In the end, I believe that the heart of all teams' goal is to inspire the students who work with them, to dispell the myths surrounding math and science based fields, and to encourage them to pursue their dreams. These dreams dont necessarily have to be in engineering or science for a mentor to have accomplished their goal. If a student has gained inspiration and knowledge from the experience, even if the student doesnt end up in engineering, the mentor has at least succeeded in inspiring the student.