[Travis Hoffman]

I believe this just underlines the importance of doing Dean's homework and getting your state and federal legislators involved in promoting and funding FIRST programs directly. Instead of continuing to fund FIRST teams through federal money budgeted to NASA, let's see FIRST teams funded through federal money budgeted directly for FIRST and other similar educational science and technology programs. If we constantly communicate to the President and all of Congress the importance of FIRST and consistently demonstrate the results, we will be achieving greater security in insuring the legislature will continue to fund FIRST and related programs.

That being said, I'd guess (and would like to know the reality) that the NASA FIRST grant program does not consume all 80% of the proposed budget cut, so other worthy Robotics Education Program services are going to feel the blow if this cut were to actually happen. For that reason, I'd definitely encourage everyone to show their support of the program.

Perhaps Dave or some other qualified individual could shed some light on the reality of the matter? If it is indeed dire, perhaps he could also suggest the best course of action for those who have been positively affected by NASA FIRST program and wish to speak their mind?

I have another somewhat-related question. Outside of the FIRST NASA grant program, which is open to all schools, I was wondering if the benefits of other REP activities were "regionalized" around NASA operations throughout the country. Basically, does every American school have access to these benefits, or typically, do schools near NASA facilities share in the bulk of the benefit? Looking for concrete examples. If it turns out these benefits were somewhat-regionalized, then perhaps a better method could be developed to see that the benefits are amplified and extended to reach every student in every school?