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Posted by Daniel.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M Gunn Senior High School and NASA Ames.

Posted on 6/1/99 8:39 PM MST


In Reply to: Meant to complement, ended up insulting... posted by Joe Johnson on 6/1/99 8:05 PM MST:



I think my point got lost in technicalities. I am not trying to say that high school students are professional level engineers. Not by a longshot. There is much to learn -- way more than can be learned in a mere 6 weeks. I have nothing but utmost respect for you who have gone through all the years of engineering education that lie between me and my ultimate goal, and I in no way feel that FIRST is a substitute to that education.

BUT...

This is about inspiration, not education. True, we learn a ton, but the main focus is to inspire us and provide us with a vehicle through which we will be carried to the foot of our awaiting education. THIS is where I’m coming from when I say we need to treat the students like engineers. That blind faith will give us the needed confidence to pursue the profession and become great – the necessary confidence to fulfill that faith. One amazing thing about FIRST, is that it allows a student’s potential to surface. If unrestrained and confident, you will see that these students are capable of coming up with amazing designs!

But...

Before they can attain that necessary level of security, they must feel respected. Treat them like engineers. I can tell you from a students standpoint. I excelled when someone had faith in me. I became outspoken when someone told me how much merit my words had. If I were treated as an inferior, I would have found our amazing engineers (and they truly are amazing) to be extremely intimidating as well. I’d never have opened my mouth. I grew into the role they put me in; lucky for me, they put me into a very big role. I’d love to see this become epidemic. I’d love to see teams of students organizing students, with engineers as advisors. For in my opinion, all the students need is a little encouraging, some training, and a helping hand when in need. This is how I envision the ideal FIRST team. As a student, I can tell you that this is how I would learn best.

Not as a spectator.

I hope I made myself a little bit clearer this time...

Trust me, I idolize you guys. ;-)


-Daniel