Hello All,
This is a very interesting thread. I have to agree with the folks here that mention the whole point is getting students interested in engineering.
The challenge we (mentors) have found is how can we participate "hands-on" without creating a "elite team", the solution a group of employees came up with was to start a "demo team". We are comprised entirely of industry folks, we used the same 2008 FIRST robotics as a "start" and we have added some other stuff to the robot (eg. non first equipment). The robot is not for competition instead it is to bring awareness of FIRST within the company and in the community. It gives an opportunity for mentors to have a feel what the students go thru. It is about mentors teaching mentors.
FIRST is about the relationships you build. ONE individual at a time.
Cheers,
Marcos.
