[Richard Wallace]

Well essayed, Ken. No need to apologize for being serious -- this is serious stuff.

I think Dean's own comments, used in the recently posted 2006 FIRST Annual Report, are appropriate to quote here:

Originally Posted by 2006 FIRST Annual Report

Recently, we’ve noticed a shift in the national conversation about our society’s lack of support for science and technology. Part of the shift is in the amount of discussion— there is certainly an increase in media coverage. There has also been a shift in the intensity of the conversation— there is clearly a heightened sense of urgency in the calls for solutions. Both these are positive developments. More awareness and urgency around the “science problem” are central to the FIRST vision, after all. However, we believe there is another shift happening and it has enormous potential for FIRST.

If you listen closely, you can hear a shift in the nature of the conversation. People are not just talking about a science problem and how it affects someone else; they are talking about a science problem that affects them. People are beginning to realize the high price of over-valuing athletics and entertainment and under-valuing science and technology. They’re beginning to see the very real connection to their own lives, to their standard of living, and to the quality of life they will leave their children. They’re beginning to see that the “science problem” is not one that just impacts intellectual elites at prestigious, albeit obscure laboratories, but one that touches us all, in very direct and meaningful ways.

People are beginning to take the science problem personally.

This shift is a strong signal for renewed commitment to the FIRST vision. In the 17 years since FIRST was founded, nothing has been more essential to our success than personal connection. The clearest example is the personal commitment of you, our teams, mentors, teachers, parents, sponsors, and volunteers. For you, this has been personal all along. As more people make a personal connection, we will gain more energy, create more impact, and deliver more success in changing the way our culture views science and technology.

Like the man said, we need FIRST more than ever. Ken's questions about cost and effectiveness are valid and will no doubt inform our ongoing struggle to grow a great program.