Engineering Inspiration Award

[AmyPrib]

Originally Posted by Grayswandir-75

I was looking through the rule book and I saw the Engineering Inspiration award. I was wondering if anyone could elaborate on the award besides what it says in the rule book. Also how does this award differ from Chairmans. Thanks.

This is like the ultimate question that a lot of people have, as many people refer to Engr Insp as the "runner up" to Chairman's. I'm not really a fan of that description though, but I don't have the perfect explanation for the differences.

Basically, the way I interpret it is this: Chairman's is more so about spreading message of FIRST and Engr Insp is more specifically about what efforts are made to pull/encourage kids into engineering and technology, and inspiring an appreciation for it in the kids... as well as community outreach.

C.A. is how do you spread the message of FIRST, why should other teams want to be like your team, how great is your partnership with sponsors, teams, and community, and other specifics that they outline.

Engr Insp is less specifically about spreading the FIRST message, but more of spreading the engineering/tech message.

I don't know if that makes sense. There are definitely overlaps in those two, which is why I think many people see it as runner up C.A. I think teams that are candidates to win C.A. are usually candidates to win E.I. and vice versa, mainly because a lot of the activities you do to spread FIRST message are also activities that advance respect for engineering. To be candidates, you must effectively and clearly communicate the team efforts and activities that represent why you should win the award.

A big difference is you don't have to submit any written info for Engr Insp. Also, Chairman's you're only eligible at one regional that you attend, whereas E.I. you are eligible at every event.

I think judges can definitely pull a lot of info from Chairman submissions to use for determining E.I. winners, but that doesn't mean teams who don't submit C.A. at that regional can't win E.I. Either way, teams might showcase or have info available about the things they do that make them E.I. winners and talk to the judges when they come around asking questions.

There has always been confusion about the differences. I'm sure others will provide their interpretation here as well.

Anyone have a better explanation besides "chairman's runner-up", since from what I hear and see, it really should not be considered that? Veterans and mentors?