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Originally Posted by XaulZan11
I actually think it would be a lot easier to get colleges on board than high schools. First, colleges usually have a lot more money so that wouldn't be as much as a problem. Secondly, colleges that have engineering majors would certainly be interested because it is a place to apply the things learned in class than in high school where engineering classes are a lot less abundant. With the time commitment, I don't think the school wouldn't be on board because it is too much work. I know at my school they let the students pretty much do whatever they want.
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You might think that. And in some cases that may be true, but not in others. Most colleges put a LOT of their money into research that the profs do. Being on a college team I see this - and some of our sponsors are willing to fund us only because we work with young students (FLL, FTC and FRC). Clarkson is not our only sponsor.
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I think the question of having a College FIRST is would it inspire and spread science more than what it right now? I'm not sure. On of the goals of FIRST is to get more people interested in pursuing a career in science and technology. In college, most people already know what they will be doing and teams will be from schools. I would invision the teams would come from colleges that are centered around science and technology, so the people on the team will already be pursuing a career in science in technology.
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You make a good point - FIRST - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. I know when I was on an FRC team in high school, it inspired me to become more interested in engineering and now look at me - I am an engineering major at Clarkson!! But at a college level, like you said, the students should already have a pretty good idea of what they want to do. So would FIRST at a college level really be accomplishing much? Maybe, maybe not.
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While I think a College FIRST would be a ton of fun (I'm sure I would take part), I don't think there is a lot pay off compared to the work and funding needed. I think those colleges and college students should focus on mentoring other teams and getting high school students interested in science and technology instead of giving more resources to those already interested.
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Good point again! (And it probably would be a ton of fun!) But I know for me personally once I started mentoring I was introduced to a whole new side of FIRST. And what is cooler than being able to share what you know with others? I would say being involved in FIRST in college as a mentor can be a lot of fun and is totally worth it -- AS LONG AS YOU MAKE SURE SCHOOL COMES FIRST! (Even I took freshman year off to adjust to college, and I would recommend that others take some time off or step down a little when the first get to college!)