[fatjoe3833]

The support, financial or otherwise, that my team received from the school district was pretty much limited to the initial entry fee plus the use of a small room in the basement with a few 40 year old plus power tools. This may seem generous to many people, but it is ridiculous when compared to the support that our athletic teams receive. A recently approved multi million dollar bond proposal called for the construction of a new field and renovations to the gym but no improvements for science or technology programs. It's easy to see why the U.S. is quickly falling behind when it comes to science and technology.

Most of the administration and students just do not understand what FIRST is all about. For many students, the robotics team was the biggest joke in the high school and our athletic teams were the greatest thing ever.

We certainly did try to raise awareness about the team and FIRST. There were plenty of photo ops with the administration and local politicians after we won the Long Island Regional in 2007. We gave a presentation to the school board every year. We also presented the robot every year at the pep rally. Most of the students and some teachers would laugh or make sarcastic comments as the team was introduced and the robot was shown off.

I am not trying to complain or rant and rave. We were very fortunate to have the school provide us with funding. I am just trying to show how the U.S. is falling behind when it comes to science and technology. Improving support in local schools for programs such as FIRST will help to resolve this problem.