Who built your robot?

[ColleenShaver]

Back in high school, certain students got to do certain jobs.. based mostly on your shown dedication towards the team and willingness to undertake tasks. However, it was often a lot of "go cut this to this and this length". I had the benefit of being allowed to take on and figure out tasks on my own, but I know the others had experiences the other way.

My freshman year in college at BU the students were eager to learn and build stuff-- and they did everything they could. But when many had a 2hour or more ride home on a couple trains and buses, their hours in the shop were minimal. We did our best to save the major tasks for the hours they were there though. It wasn't the best robot ever built, but they took pride in their contributions to it.

Presently on 190, much of the responsibility regarding the completion of jobs lies with college students. However, any kids that are they are always given work to do and taught how to use every machine. No matter how often they come to the shop, they can always jump in to help with building and creating.

Personally- I once had the perspective that many people have.. that i would NEVER want to be on a team where I didn't get to participate in building.. these teams, most often this stereotype is applied to Delphi teams, didn't do anything for the kids--

But if you ever spend the time to talk to kids from these teams, they learn so much. FIRST has literally changed the world where these kids come from and teaches them that LEARNING is important- not just learning how drill motors work, but algebra, english, physics, etc etc. The kids are pushed to focus on getting themselves educated with FIRST as an enhancement to that education. And they are usually expected to know how every aspect of the robot works and understand the concepts behind it.

Sometimes you get teams that students do it all.. and they spend so much time just trying to get the robot to work that they never have the time to be taught why it doesn't.

FIRST is about inspiration. How you choose to inspire is simply that, a choice. I bet the kids on of these 'engineer-built' teams know more about robotics in a year or two than I have learned in 6. I was inspired though- to do better, go to a technical college, and enter the work-force with a (somewhat) science-related job.

FIRST is about the students.. and to some kids, just showing them that this world exists and helping them understand that they can be part of it is inspiration enough.

That's respectable to me. Not every kid can leave every night with grease under there fingernails. But not every kids wants to either.

Accolades to everyone who's team inspires at least one kid to go into science and technology.. or renews on adult's feelings about why they entered the field in the first place ... or makes on kid who wouldn't have gone to college go.. or the team that allows a little hands on learning.. or the team that made their kids get their grades up before they could partake.. and on and on and on..

Inspiration is a wonderful thing.