Who would you like to see speak at a FIRST event?

[Amanda Morrison]

Considering Hyneman's previous involvement in Battlebots, I think it would speak volumes if he were to command the podium (especially, perhaps, to speak of the differences and the educational value of our program?). The probability of it happening, I don't know. Even if he were to talk about M5, I think most of the students would find it more riveting than some past speakers.

Entertainment stars come and go. Very few high school students could tell you who Jean Harlow is, or what color hair Marlene Dietrich had. Most kids nowadays don't know Twiggy from Ashlee Simpson. However, they can readily recognize images of Einstein. That tells me a lot.

No offense to Will Smith, but as a senior in high school (and not even interested in anything technical), I found his 'speech' a laughingstock. Essentially, it said to me, 'Although I've found a career where I don't necessarily need to have a degree in quantum physics, you smart kids should keep going along this path so that I can live up the life.' Insulting? A little.

I'm more interested in the invention of voicemail, the dot com revolution, and the creation of a new computer generation than another pretty face. Bring on the Bezos, Page, Jobs, Rutan, and Jones generation of inspirational speakers.