Mentor Poll - Who are you trying to Inspire?

[David Brinza]

I had to vote: society in general.

FIRST offers an opportunity to change the way the masses view science, math, engineering from a "grassroots" approach. When students get engaged, even excited, about doing something that is challenging and their peers, teachers, parents and mentors can cheer them for their efforts - that's inspirational and culture changing.

I got hooked on FIRST when I attended the last Championship at Epcot (2002). My son (now a computer science major at UCSB) was a member of Team 16 (Bomb Squad!). He invited me to the event and I certainly got caught up in the excitement of the competition. However, I was most impacted by a student from an inner-city school who wanted to tell me about his Team's robot and what he had built. For most kids living in that environment, the "way out" might be a sports scholarship and the faint hope of playing professional sports. I realized then that FIRST program offers a real alternative for anyone to become involved in the technological world.

As a mentor in FIRST, I feel I can reach the masses by inspiring the students on my team, who then inspire other students, parents, teachers, administrators, sponsors, ... , even society!