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Posted by Joe Johnson.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Posted on 3/20/2000 9:02 PM MST


In Reply to: More light less heat... posted by Joe Johnson on 3/20/2000 8:42 PM MST:



Point #1

Engineers do not, in general, run precision metal working equipment.

Engineers do not, in general, weld.

Engineers do not, in general, make stuff*.

What we DO do is solve problems, plan for the execution of the solution and communicate that plan to people who run precision metal working equipment, weld, and make stuff.

You tell me what is closer to the spirit and intent of the FIRST competition. Invovling students in the real job that engineers do every day (i.e. the creative process and the turning of ideas into buildable designs) or having students watch chips curl off a piece of aluminum chucked up in a lathe?

INSPIRATION is the key yardstick by which I feel all aspects of this program should be measured.

Our team feels strongly that the inspiration is in the idea creation and the subsequent 'magic' called engineering that turns those ideas into real working beautiful robots.

Other ideas are welcome.

Joe J.

* Of course a strong case can be made that engineers who know how to run lathes, mills, etc. are better at their jobs because of that knowledge, but this is not to say that being good engineer is the same as being a good metal smith. I can also say that engineers who have read Homer are better at their jobs, but I don't count the ability to discuss Greek tragedies intelligently as part of the job description of a typical engineering professional.