UNgracious UNprofessionalism

[popnbrown]

Originally Posted by Seth Mallory

The goal of First is to inspire students into STEM.

I disagree with you slightly. The goal of FIRST is to inspire students into STEM and a whole lot more. The Mission of FIRST: "Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership."

You cannot be a leader if you don't know the how and all you see is the end result. The point of FIRST is to have mentors (advisers) to advise and train. And in addition there are the life capabilities.

I see FIRST as way deeper than inspiring students into STEM. I don't think FIRST's mission is as simple as that. Also there are many other programs that inspire students into STEM and are way more efficient but not into becoming STEM leaders.

Edit: I should clarify when I see mentor-built I think mentor designed and built. I don't have any problems with mentors physically building due to lack of students, lack of students' knowledge or ESPECIALLY safety. Our team doesn't have a CNC but even if we did our students wouldn't know how to use it. However, our students found a water-jetting company and drew parts to send over to them. I would have not allowed a mentor to draw the parts.