IEEE: A Call to Action from Dean Kamen

[Marc P.]

I think the biggest problem with rapid growth is lack of resources. Not every school has a capable machine shop, and I know of more and more schools cutting funding from classes like wood shop, and industrial arts. My school cut the wood shop about 8 years ago, to redirect funds to other classes. Our middle school is considering making a similar move. We are a vocational agriculture school, and as such do have a rather capable metal shop, but the powers-that-be refuse to allow our team to use it's resources, despite multiple meetings to explain what exactly FIRST is, and what we would require.

Similarly, it's becoming more and more difficult to find sponsors willing to aid the cause, particularly in rural areas. I think that's the biggest problem with rapid growth. Over time, it may not be as big a problem, as new engineers inspired by FIRST join the workforce, either employed by companies or starting their own firms. In either case, these grown up FIRSTers will eventually lead the engineering world, and hopefully continue to spread the inspiration to their local communities, by spawning lego league and FRC teams.

I do think it's great that FIRST is growing, and hope it does continue to reach more and more lives as it grows. However, I do worry if it grows too fast, it may stretch already too limited resources a bit too thin, and it's common sense to know that's not a good thing. Just like a fish can only grow preportional to the size of it's tank, FIRST can only grow as big as the resources supporting it, to ensure the level of comfort necessary to deliver it's message.