A survey for FIRST Robotics Students

[Ryan M.]

1. Yes. It has given me practice in teamwork, group projects, engineering, programming, eating donuts (), etc.

2. Probably writing a program to fit outside specifications. (vs. just what I feel like)

3. Teamwork

4. Commitment, Planning, Delegation, Being open to the ideas of others, Compromise

5. Dealing with the screwballs. Actually, learning that there's always a different way and sometimes it's better.

6. The fun! Despite how great a learning opportunity is, I'm still in it mainly for the late nights with friends.

7. Yes! I don't know, it just is. See above questions.

8. Some sponsors are also willing to give expertise. Exposure for your team (as well as their company) is also an effect of sponsors.

9. Leadership and know-how, but a willingness to listen to students (and others) and allow them to do their own work and make their own mistakes so that they learn through experience, not just say-so.

[Elyse Holguin]

1. Definitely taught me teamwork, and nothing is as important im college as being able to work in a team. Another thing I got from FIRST was leadership, which is something just about every kid involved with FIRST is going to get, because we all know what should be done on the team, and get to work on it.
2. Not as technichal, but public speaking in an impromptu setting, you never know who's going to ask you something about your robot, and you NEED to be prepared.
3. How to not give myself an aneurism, how to get along in a group.
4. Given the Following list, list each skill by order of importance.
(1)Commitment, (2) Being open to the ideas of others, (3) Planning, (4) Compromise, (5) Delegation
5. The most difficult? Not being able to put everything you wanted on the robot. Oh wait, that was because of the weight requirement. So the most difficult thing was meeting the weight requirement.
6. The 2 most important things about being on a team for me, even more than the wealth of skills that come along with FIRST, was meeting people who will be my lifelong friends, and giving all of us something meaningful to do with our time. These days, it's so much easier to be a slacker, to dropout, or get involved with the wrong things. Personally, I have a lot of friends from middle school who are parents now. Helping me find a direction away from all of that was really important.
7. Like I said before, robotics teams are helping kids find a direction in their lives and getting them involved in something meaningful, that they can be important in, so it's important to see that they stay around.
8. Besides financial aid, our sponsors were our mentors on our team, and it was nice to work one-on-one with such great people.
9. The same things that make a good mentor are what makes any good leader: determination, optimism, responsibility, trustworthiness and honesty, charisma, and knowledge. A good mentor will get in there with a bunch of kids (who all have different interests and agendas) and bring them all together so that everyone gets along happily.

[Lisa Perez]

1. It has given me an insight into the opportunities that our world holds, not just in the field of engineering but also in the business area. It's helped me to learn what time management, cooperation, enthusiasm, and responsibility are.

2. I'll most likely still be machining and CADing once I graduate from college.

3. As project manager, I learned how to successfully manage tasks and sub-tasks so as to ensure that each part of the team fully finished its goal on time.

4. Commitment, being open to the ideas of others, compromise, delegation, planning

5. The most difficult part of robotics was when people would refuse to be open-minded to others' ideas, thus delaying the design/build process.

6. The most important part of being on a robotics team, for me, is being able to not work as a group of individuals, but rather, as one union.

7. It is important that there are more teams in the future because the youth of our world need to be given the opportunity to use their minds to the fullest. There is so much talent out there - it just needs to be used for the better.

8. Sponsors give teams the confidence that somebody (besides schools and families) supports them. They add to the overall team spirit.

9. A good mentor is someone who will not be afraid to get into the chaos of things and serve as an example, someone who will make sure everyone is involved in some way or another.

[brandy836]

1. How has Robotics prepared you for life after high school?
It gave me a better look at the different engineering fields that I could major in in college, and what I could eventually do professionally.

2. Is there one specific technical skill you learned in robotics you think you will use in life later on?
It wasn’t really a technical skill, because I am in public relations/marketing for our team, but I learned how to talk in front of large groups of people, and to answer technical questions quickly and correctly.

3. What are some workplace skills you learned while being on a robotics team?
Time management and teamwork.

4. Given the Following list, list each skill by order of importance.
Planning,Compromise,Being open to the ideas of others, Delegation, and Commitment
Commitment
Planning
Open to Ideas of Others
Compromise
Delegation

5. What was the most difficult part of being on a robotics team?
Finding the time to do all the things that needed to get done.

6. What was the most important part of being on a robotics team to you?
Getting stuff finished on time.

7. Do you think it is important that there be Robotics teams in the future? Why or Why not?
Yes, being on a robotics team teaches kids all kinds of things that they will need in everyday life: time management, teamwork, and skills they would need if they were to get involved in an engineering career field.

8. Besides financial aid what effects do sponsors have on robotics teams?
They give the teams mentors (engineers), who work with the students to make us smart(er).

9. What makes a good mentor?
A good mentor is someone who is willing to dedicate their time and energy into teaching students about things they will need to complete a task without their help in the future. A good mentor is someone who is also willing to be a good friend as well as a good teacher.

[Ashley Christine]

1. How has Robotics prepared you for life after high school?
Well, it has helped me to look into different fields of study. It has also helped me with socializing and meeting new people. I used to be the shyest person ever, and now I have met so many people from other places and made so many new friends.. and heck, they dont even bite!

2. Is there one specific technical skill you learned in robotics you think you will use in life later on?
Not yet, but I expect to learn more with my two more years of highschool robotics.

3. What are some workplace skills you learned while being on a robotics team?
Well, Safety -- I was safety person, and I learned that it is a big deal. Also just keeping things organized, it makes everything so much easier and makes things get done faster.

4. Given the Following list, list each skill by order of importance.
Planning,Compromise,Being open to the ideas of others, Delegation, and Commitment
1)Commitment 2)Planning 3)Being open to the ideas of others 4)Compromise 5)Delegation

5. What was the most difficult part of being on a robotics team?
Getting all the different personalites to mesh. Also, having no time for friends/family.

6. What was the most important part of being on a robotics team to you?
Well, being able to share a common intrest and get something done out of it. Also, I like how getting involved in the community and helping others is involved in robotics.

7. Do you think it is important that there be Robotics teams in the future? Why or Why not?
Yes, it is very inspiring. I think that it is a great tool to get youngins to learn about the more complex and fun things. It is just an amazing experience.

8. Besides financial aid what effects do sponsors have on robotics teams?
I think the sponsor makes you want to work harder because you want to be able to show them that they did something good and that their money went toward a good cause.

9. What makes a good mentor?
Someone who wants to teach, and is fun, and has awesome leadership.