It's a sport. The whole selling point by FIRST is that FRC is a High School sporting competition for geeks, nerds, and would be engineers. During the six weeks you design and build the athlete. Then we compete in high adrenaline, high intensity competitions. Then there are the official sponsors, namely your corporate sponsors. Just like NASCAR, thats the point. We are activily changing our culture, the perseption of technology, and what "sporting" really means.
We are the "New Olympics" & the "Superbowl of Smarts."
Also, all because there is much more we try to accomplish than winning, doesn't make FIRST any more or less of a sport. In fact, I would say you are being biased to your own perceptions and the public opinnion of sporting. I for one do not play soccer or go sailing just to "win". Far from it. The POINT of sports is to have fun, build team work, build self esteem, and improve yourself to the best ablity, and yes win. How are these traits any different than us? But lets face it, the most accomplished and recognized teams are not necciarly those who inspire their students but also WIN consistantly at regionals.
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Jeff "Martinez" Martinez
Mechanical Engineer with JH Robotics
Clarkson University and Division by Zero Alumni
Former 2053 Tigertronics Mentor and Engineer
Former Chuck 84 Mentor and Engineer
Former Lockheed Martin, VH-71 Program Employee.
Let us never rest till every student has FIRST Rate Opportunities!
Program Proposal: FRC