Do FIRST kids behave better?

[DonRotolo]

While reading a thread, I came to the realization that The Robot Kids are noticeably different from 'ordinary' High School kids. After just a few weeks in FIRST, I find that team members are

Calm and listening, not fidgety or talking
Behaving appropriately
Respectful of adults and classmates alike
Speaking more like adults
Thinking before asking
Willing to help almost always
Focused
Polite
Mature

If I had to use one word, it would be "Professional"

When I am mentoring the team, it is almost like discussing things with colleagues. OK, maybe colleagues who don't know a lot, but are interested in learning.

With 'other' High School kids, I am seeing significantly more immaturity, inability to focus, and inappropriate behavior.

FIRST kids spoil me. I find myself getting annoyed by "typical" kids now.

sigh. Does anybody else see this?

Don

[joshy1323]

haha i completely agree and i believe
that i am one excellent example of a
student who was forced to mature in
order to be taken seriously on my team.

and i have seen a few fellow students
clearly "grow up" to recieve the same
respect. thank you for the compliment.

[Herodotus]

From what I have seen FIRST students are generally much better behaved, after all that is the whole point of gracious professionalism, and thus FIRST. Of course, you have to remember they are still high school students, and so aren't exempt from stupidity.(I can count the number of times I've done stupid things on one hand, assuming I ignore ninety-nine percent of them.)

I blame the mentors. It's hard for students not to act mature with such great role models.

[Akash Rastogi]

Eh, I could argue that with plenty of kids on our team its not the case. There are the kids you consider the "bad kids" who can be brilliant when it comes to something like FIRST.

Ultimately, I'd say no. Too much of a generalization.

[Dan2081]

lilstogi thats exactly how our team is...
Many of the guys (and girls sometimes) on my team are immature ALOOOT. But when it comes to robots they do focus and show their potential. I agree that this is a little too much generalized

[Carol]

This extends to the competitions as well. More than once, when I was volunteering at a regional, someone from the venue has come up to me and mentioned that the students are much better behaved than at other high school events that have been held there. Even though yes, there are exceptions, I agree, and everyone in FIRST should be proud. This type of competition could easily degenerate into the hyper-competitive, trash-talking, hate filled atmosphere that so many college and professional sports have become.

Let's hope that the lessons and behaviors learned in FIRST continue throughout the student's lives.

[Cynette]

I'm not sure it happens after a few weeks, but I have noticed a remarkable difference in the students who have been FIRSTers for a year or more over the new students. Even the most hyper of the returning students is able to control the energy when necessary, and all are much more autonomous in team situations. I called it maturity, but it also includes a large measure of self confidence. I noticed it at a travel off-season that we went to this fall. The students were truly in control, seeking out the mentors when they needed help, not the other way around.

It made me excited to realize all the potential out there, especially when I look at all our new students, and have the reassurance that being on the team will have an impact, not only on technical knowledge, but on life!

[martin417]

Last year the team's faculty sponsor (teacher) asked me why I didn't become a teacher. I told him there were two reasons:

1. The pay wayyyy too low (teachers are grossly underpaid)

2. Real classes are not like First. These kids are here because they want to be, not because they have to be. They ARE more polite, more motivated, smarter, it would be a stretch to say they are more mature, but the same could be said about me, and I'm nearly 50...

There are other groups that stand out as well, one of note is band kids. They are also better behaved and more respectful (as a whole) than the general HS population (with the possible exception of drummers.

[GaryVoshol]

I will agree in general that FIRST students behave better. I've heard it from at least two sources. Our bus driver one year commented that we were better behaved than the usual Cedar Pointe crowd he gets for HS groups. A maintenance/housekeeping worker in Atlanta said the crowd was much better and cleaner than your average NFL crowd.

I'd point out though, that sometimes part of our inherent geekiness (and I mean that in the best sense) involves some anti-social behavior. Individual kids may range from behaviors that are simple inability to deal with others because they are often loners, to ADD and even mildly autistic team members. Add in an "I am always right" component, and you have the scenario for disagreement. It probably won't devolve into a bloody shootout or even fisticuffs, but mentors need to be aware of team/individual dynamics to ensure the team functions harmoniously, at least most of the time.

Oh, and I've found in life that the "good kids" are sometimes allowed to get away with more.

[Anna B.]

Originally Posted by martin417

There are other groups that stand out as well, one of note is band kids. They are also better behaved and more respectful (as a whole) than the general HS population (with the possible exception of drummers.

I've noticed this too, but still, there are some exceptions (like some of the drummers )

[JaneYoung]

I've worked with different groups of students since I was a student in high school, myself. Even working with peers, I learned very quickly that if they are given responsibility, they will assume it. It may take a false start or two but eventually, all the students I have worked with have met their responsibilities and have surpassed them in many instances.

Some of the other groups that come to mind regarding fostering responsibility and accountability are Scouts, 4-H, youth groups, and National Honor Society. On the college level, the college students that get involved in peer mentoring, student orientation, volunteering whether for college credit or because they choose to - all work well with responsibility and accountability.

Students who have to earn recognition, merit, or acknowledgement, usually blossom when they understand the value of their own achievements. It is very very cool.

On a side note - adults who sharpen and/or learn to appreciate these qualities more as mentors, blossom just as beautifully as their young team mates, usually surprising themselves and their loved ones.

[Laaba 80]

Originally Posted by martin417

There are other groups that stand out as well, one of note is band kids. They are also better behaved and more respectful (as a whole) than the general HS population (with the possible exception of drummers.

The statement about the drummers is true. We tend to have a different attitude than the rest of the band. The band is happy with however they place at marching competitions. On the Drumline, we arent happy unless we win, which is why we won best percussion in the state of WI 3 of the last 5 years, and the years we lost we took 2nd and missed 1st by .1 and .2. We considered putting a quote from dodgeball on our shirts - "We're better than you, and we know it." When its time to be serious though, we have the most discipline out of the whole band.
Back to the thread, it depends on where we are, and who we are with.

[Zholl]

When its time to be serious though, we have the most discipline out of the whole band.
Back to the thread, it depends on where we are, and who we are with.

That may be true in your band, but it sure ain't in mine. I'm in my school's advanced group, and the drummers are STILL getting yelled at by our director to pay attention and stop goofing off.

Back to the thread though, I totally agree. This is only our rookie year, but the team has certainly attracted a lot of more mature acting kids. My guess is that FIRST attracts a lot of the same group of kids as scouting, 4H and the like.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Zholl

My guess is that FIRST attracts a lot of the same group of kids as scouting, 4H and the like.

This is an opinion and I've never verbalized it before so it may take some tweaking with help from others who get the gist of what I'm trying to say.

To expand on your statement, I also think that students who enjoy working alongside adults are attracted to the program or decide to stick with it. Those who have the confidence to share with, learn from, and appreciate adults as mentors and role models, and who desire to become mentors and role models, themselves, seem to do very well in programs such as FIRST.

Many students enter a team unaware of the demands that will be placed on them as a member of a team. The keyword is: team. If they don't have the confidence initially, they will gain it and help others obtain it as well. It's pretty cool to see individuals and teams develop in areas of trust and team building.

[SamRI]

they might
♥