[archiver]

Posted by Brian Cholerton at 04/26/2001 2:50 PM EST


Engineer on team #311, Red Jammers, from East Islip High School and KeySpan Energy, Multiline Corp., Computer Assoc..


In Reply to: Why do we need the media?
Posted by Matt Leese on 04/26/2001 12:34 PM EST:



Media interest does play a big part in many things in our lives, FIRST included. If we all want FIRST to continue to grow so that it's will become available to anyone who wishes to participate then, like it or not media coverage is something we need.

In order to keep FIRST growing we need to get many more companies and businesses involved with FIRST. Sure, you say a business gets a lot out of sponsoring a team. Look at how they get students interested in working with their engineers. But this is just a part of the BIG picture. It takes MONEY to make FIRST operate and grow and positive media coverage is what businesses CRAVE. Put the two together and you have the foundation required to continue to grow FIRST so that many more students and engineers can participate.

This may sound cold but the reality is that large businesses look to budget their resources so they can get value for their dollar. Having their engineers work with students is mutually beneficial for them because it gives them a better presence in their community and allows students to become more familiar with the "real world". But the caveat here is that they (the company) are still looking for a return on their investment. That return may be in the form of a new feeder system for future engineers but it still boils down to getting something for the time and money you have invested.

NOW throw in some good press coverage and then you can work on getting even MORE companies involved that you never thought of before. Media coverage will allow teams in the future to be sponsored by companies whose core business isn't based on mechanical or electrical products, but rather on other consumer and general products and services. (I don't think I would want to be the Roto-Rooter team......though there would be some interesting nicknames)

Media coverage is the tool we all need to use to change the general publics mind as to what robotics is all about. Just because the general public THINKS something is good doesn't mean it really is.

Don't be a sheep and follow the flock...be a leader and show others what it's all about.

To put it in perspective: I like to watch Formula 1 racing. But I don't mind watching the occasional Demo-derby at the local fair...just for fun!

Everything has it's place.