Does robotics attract the right students?

[E. Wood]

The students that I work with never touch the robot. They instead write the award submissions, spec sheets, and outreach programs for our team. Many of them are insanely talented in graphics and other arts. Yes many of them also simply cheer on the team at competition when they aren't giving presentation or talking to other teams or judges but so what, that’s exactly what everyone on the robots side does when they aren’t driving or fixing the bot. The big question is, what does this have to do with FIRST's mission?

These students, who may not have had an understanding of what science and technology can do for them now have appreciation of it. They get why it’s important for everyone to study STEM even if they are not planning on going into a STEM field. They understand how studying STEM can lead to more creative and innovative students in all fields of study. I ask you this... how many of the world’s great innovation were developed from ideas presented first by writers and artists. Here's a hint, watch Star Wars or Star Trek and read some Julies Verne and keep a notebook as you will need it to keep track.