Quote:
Originally Posted by WEHickok
I FTC is fine, but it is missing one element of FRC...engineering mentors. FRC is where you get "professionals" to work with the kids to "inspire" them to take up fields of science, math, engineering, and technology. This is the key to FIRST. All other programs build to this and having a FRC team in every school should be our goal. Use the other programs to make that happen."
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Hi Walt,
Since you're one of the decision makers in MI and since you've been so gracious to speak here, I was wondering if you could shed any more light on how MI plans on using FTC to help "make that happen." I would also offer a word of caution about FTC not having "professionals" to work with the kids to "inspire". While it is true FTC requires less technical expertise than FRC some of our best FTC teams over the past three years that have won at the championship event have been engineering supported.
Also, I run both FRC and Intermediate Program teams (formerly FVC/FTC and now VEX). I'm not an engineer, I'm a career educator. We've been successful with the smaller robot and team by being able to inspire students (some of our school's best and brightest) toward those futures you talk about without the FRC experience and without practicing engineers. Some of these students simply do not have the time to devote to FRC or initially feel intimidated by it and the smaller scale has been what captures them in our program. Most of our graduates go on to pursue the type of futures you speak of and only some of them ever experience FRC.
Don't get me wrong, I love engineer exposure for the students. This year, our FRC team has it's first dedicated engineering mentor from Lockheed Martin and it's a true thrill to see him interact with and excite the students! However, if this would be our only approach with Lower Merion students we would inspire fewer on a yearly basis. Also, if we would ever lose funding, space, or support for FRC, we would not have to close the doors on our HS robotics program altogether - we have a safety net "intermediate" program that could take on additional participants if need be.
I was wondering if, with all of your statewide support and lofty goals, your group was considering anything like this for two reasons - sustainability and meaningful engagement of more students in a hands-on way. Your thoughts are appreciated and thank you for offering your insight here.
Namaste,
Rich