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.

[MikeDubreuil]

FIRST people who've "made it." I'd like to see someone who participated in FIRST in high school and about how they have become an awesome engineer or scientist.

This could be a speed speech lasting just under two minutes. It lets the kids in high school know that if they stick with this program good stuff will happen to them.

[dlavery]

CMU's Red Whittaker. If you don't know who he is, you should find out. If you haven't heard him speak, you should find a way. If you don't know what he has to say, you should read this. After you do, you will understand why he would be a perfect FIRST speaker.

-dave

[phrontist]

Mythbusters, hands down.

[Adam Y.]

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.

Well considering the fact that Grant Imahara actually mentored a team, it's probably not that far fetched of a plan.

[Zero-Bee]

The Mythbuster guys would be awesome to have speak. Heck, we could help them bust the myths of nerds not having girlfriends .

In all seriousness, the guys of Mythbusters really know how to make science and physics exciting. Seeing them speak would be very cool, and saying celebrities (well, celebrities to a limited cable audience, anyway) would definately make FIRST appealing to a wider audience, and get more people involved.

I, personally, would like to see President Bush speak. I know that it might be incredibly hard to arrange, but I know that he has a deep involvement in the education of America, and FIRST really shows our generations potential.

But I'll bet that has been suggested before, so one more person I would like to see speak would be Bill Nye: The Science Guy. I remember watching the show, and he made science fun and entertaining to me. And, he did create the hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor, and we use alot of hydraulics, so it would only be appropriate.

[Kims Robot]

I have to agree that my favorite idea so far is the mythbusters (Jamie or Adam) are my favorite listed so far... but there are lots of good ideas. In addition I would like to see someone from the business world... someone like Donald Trump to talk about how FIRST is NOT just engineering. All of our teams run like mini businesses... so I think its important to start showing the kids the business sides.

Also, maybe a female engineer, scientist or astronaut... I havent seen a lot of female speakers in my time in FIRST (not to say there havent been any, but comparatively few at the events that I have been at).

[Mike Rush]

Several Choices:
G W Bush
Condeleeza Rice
Jon Johansen
Toby Keith
Donald J. Smith

And a few for which it is to late to speak:
Nikola Tesla
Albert Einstein
Richard Feynman
Enrico Fermi
Niels Bohr
Werner Heisenberg

(you didn't say living... )

[Not2B]

Originally Posted by Mike Rush

Several Choices:

...
Richard Feynman
...
(you didn't say living... )

Oh man - that would be so cool. I've read several of his books - he had a very interesting life. I also had the chance to work with a guy in California who was one of Dr. Feynman's physics students - and he said the stories are true - Dr. Feynman was a wildman!

[Chaos204]

I watch Mythbusters all the time and wonder how great it would be to be able to afford the things they do, so having the crew speak would be awesome. Maybe we can think of a myth that we can help them crack!

Alton would also be a choice speaker.

[santosh]

Originally Posted by dlavery

CMU's Red Whittaker. If you don't know who he is, you should find out. If you haven't heard him speak, you should find a way. If you don't know what he has to say, you should read this. After you do, you will understand why he would be a perfect FIRST speaker.

-dave

Agreed. I remember seing something about him and RedZone Robotics on TV once. Cool guy.
I also agree with Sir Richard Branson.

[Ian Curtis]

I met Red. He had a lot of great things to say about robotics and several really inspiring stories about groups of students forming companies to sell robots they built for projects that ended up saving lives. Really incredible stuff.

[Bill Moore]

Jim Lovell of the Apollo 13 mission.

[gobeavs]

Originally Posted by Bill Moore

Jim Lovell of the Apollo 13 mission.

That would be awesome.

[Gary Dillard]

How about Helen Greiner or Colin Angle ? Do they like Krispy Kremes too?