Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Schuetze
Off-topic rant: I get tired of the somewhat constant FIRST bashing of new ideas and programs on C.D. Appearantly the only good thing FIRST ever did was start FRC and then they are supposed to do nothing but support the veteran teams with infusions of cash and not change any of the control systems or elements of the game as change is bad. Can we just ask for folks who want to repeately fan the flames of lack of $$$ for veteran FRC teams, and how VEX is better then FTC to look for appropriate times and places to make those posts other than everything new about FIRST?
On topic rant: Valid points have been made by FIRST alumni in colleges that support FRC teams or are involved in other and possibly higher degree of difficulty engineering challenges. I've not done the research but my guess is something very far from 100% of colleges and universities in America have engineering students, or other science/mathematics, business, workforce program traininig certifications, junior colleges/technical schools actually have students compete in such programs as several of you have posted. This is not to say that FIRST is 100% perfect and in a competition with outher programs.
Please re-read a quote from an undisputed authority of FIRST and STEM type competitions Dave Lavery,
Dave on VEX verses Tetrix
Dave on Coopertition Patent
Final point in my rant:
How is it that the VEX college challenge is not controversial or such a threat to FRC and VEX high school teams that it has existed as a pilot and now in it's second year of competition? Is there a double standard or just ignorance? |
Ignoring sponsorship money as a sticking point on this, I admit I do not think this is a great idea for FIRST. I think this will drain resources from FIRST and its supporters (volunteers not sponsors).
My biggest objection to this, however, is that I feel college students should get out of the nest eventually. Let's face it, for many of us FIRST is a comfortable. We have our old friends, the mentors we grew up with, and we even have our old role models. I don't think I am alone when I say that I am very comfortable in the FIRST community because it is familiar. I think that college is a time to see new things and find new communities. That doesn't mean you should stop being involved in FIRST but that you should be willing to branch out. Sometimes I think that is hard for people and I see this program possibly making it harder.
I won't pass judgement on this program until I have seen it and it has had a few years to get on its feet. I will however urge all college age students to think before they mentor or before they do this. Evaluate your options, there are a lot of really cool programs out there, do your research.
(Also, I guess I'm in the minority when I think that FLL is the best thing FIRST ever did, FRC is a distant second)
Andrew, on your final point I want you to take my opinion with a grain of salt, I am not terribly familiar with the VEX program or competition structure. I have looked into the Vex Collegiate competition though. I guess I could raise the same objections to that as I do to this. Maybe it is just less high profile.