Long post ahead-- I apologize in advance.
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Originally Posted by aztech75
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More and more today I am seeing once great teams falling out of the FIRST Program because they just can't keep up with the rising cost. In the past seven years that i have praticipated in first I have seen a dramatic change in the way first is run. The sad reality is that first isnt about kids anymore, its about makeing money for teams and trying to get the rest of the world interested in what we do.
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-Yes, there are many teams dropping out of FIRST. My team may be one of them this year, unfortunately. Part of the rising cost is because FIRST is expanding at a ridiculous rate. The more kits they have to send out, fields they have to fabricate, and venues they have to rent, the more it's going to cost us, the teams. That's unfortunate, but it happens.
-Part of the reason FIRST has had to make dramatic changes in they way it's been run is because of expansion. Back in ye olde days, those "team updates" we look forward to were sent via fax to every team. That wouldn't exactly work with as many teams as there are now.-- hence, change in management styles. They've outgrown the Manchester HS Gym, and they've outgrown Disney. It all takes adjusting. Part of what I think is causing this widespread discontent (my favorite example: update 16) is because many of us don't understand-- every year is completely different from the folks up in Manchester. We're not the only ones with new challenges.
-Now, this may just be my opinion, but I was fortunate enough to be able to work as a camp counselor up at FIRST Place this summer-- As far as I could gather from the people I spoke to, this isn't about the money for them. It's about loving what they're doing, and seeing others inspired. I'm pretty sure that's about the kids.
On to another quote...
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Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri
I believe both of those points are your opinion. I, for one, feel totally different. I don't care if the students know the difference between an op-amp and a resistor.. I just care that they have fun, pump that muscle in their head, and eventually get into college with a ton of scholarship money. These students have their entire college career to learn about engineering. Let's try to let them have some fun while they can.
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-Agreed. Very agreed. I've been attending competitions since before I can remember. Back then, I didn't know what half the stuff on the machines was (I still don't...
)..and I really didn't care! Why? Because I was having a fantastic time. That's what these things are about, aren't they?
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Originally Posted by JaneYoung
Another one of the hidden aspects/bonuses of FIRST is learning.
The students learn, the mentors learn, the sponsors learn, the school systems learn. Part of the business plan is to get the word out. What good is the word if no one is listening and starting to understand the scope of FIRST's mission? If there is no learning, there is no chance of recognition and inspiration.
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-As a member of a team whose community does not support them one bit, at all, I definitely agree with this. If noone will listen to a team, it's not the team's fault if they aren't able to compete. It's also a kick in the butt to those teams to be a little louder.
My own opinion here- I really don't think it's FIRST's fault if a team doesn't compete. And please, don't take that as me blaming teams. I come from a team that's struggling right now, so if anything, I'm blaming myself here. A team's inability to participate depends on a lot of things. FIRST expanding may up the cost of things, but it certainly is in FIRST's plan to keep teams going after they're started. Even if a team can't keep its' head above water, I'm sure there's a team nearby that would love to take its members and mentors in for a year while they get themselves together. That way, everyone gets their experience.
That's what this whole thing is about. Experience. Not the experience of winning a regional, but the experience of putting your heart and soul into something for six weeks, and celebrating that at the most fun event of the year. Well, at least that's what it's about for me.