Battlebots I.Q.- A serious threat to FIRST or a half thought up cheep copy?

[Patrick Wang]

I often find myself saying this point over and over again, but I feel that it is an important aspect that is often overlooked.

Being a part of a FIRST team is not just about building a robot.

Sure both programs offer an equal opportunity to learn and get excited about science and technology. Both can spark an interest in a student to do some research on his or her own time, and learn something.

However, part of the FIRST enviroment, and something that was also listed in the FIRST distributed team charter was something different.

I paraphrase,

"To build a team THEN build a robot"

What you learn from building an organization, especially a lasting strong organization cannot be quantified by any means.

So much goes into building a solid organization, it takes the efforts of more than simply a couple students in a garage building a robot.

Perhaps the high cost of entry into a FIRST robotics competition says something about EVERY team that participates in FIRST.

As Dean would say, Just MAKING it to a FIRST robotics regional, makes your team a winner.

There is a great deal of truth in this saying.

Imagine having to raise at least $5000 for entry, getting the help of local engineers and ultimately making sacrifices and working together, making compromises, the whole process is something to marvel over.

When your organization has grown into the community, and makes a difference in the lives of many, THAT is something to be proud of.

FIRST rewards that team with the chairman's award.

But every team in the FIRST competition should be proud of themselves for what they have accomplished.

Realize that only a small percentage of the nation would have the opportunities presented to student to grow not only academically, but also as people.

The worlds need more people like those who participate in FIRST.

That, I like to think is the distinction between a FIRST robotics team and Battlebots IQ team. (limited to only 5 members 4 students 1 adult).

Ultimately, it's not about learning to build a robot. It's about what you do AFTER FIRST. What are you going to contribute to the world?

I say this over and over, and I'll probably be saying this for every generation to come.

What you learn and experience in building your team and organization, and dealing with the people you meet. (often many great people) will far outlast any robot you build.