DARPA

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by kE7JLM

Is this what Dean has been preaching since the start of FIRST? I am just disappointed with the turn out.

There are always at least 2 ways to look at a situation.
One way is to say there were few FIRST teams there that you saw.
Another way is to say – you – were there. Your team was there.
And another way is to know that some FIRST teams' alumni are involved in the DARPA program and competitions.

Your team is a wise team in understanding the importance of experiencing science and technology: exploring exciting and challenging aspects in a variety of competitions and in field trips such as the recent one you took to visit the DARPA challenge. Your mentors were wise is planning this field trip and the team was wise in taking the time to experience it.

In my lifetime, the space program was been developed. Also in my lifetime, media has changed, developed, evolved – because of science and technology. How it is used to provide information to the public is an interesting topic for discussion, I agree. I’ve looked at your team’s website and it is full of information regarding the team, the team’s history, the team's interests, projects, and competitions. That is a great way to get the word out supporting Dean’s homework. It isn’t the 6 o’clock news, it is better.

Teenagers in the FIRST program grow up into young adults in their twenties and thirties, hopefully remembering the mission of FIRST and staying involved in some way. The trick is often not to become negative about the program or the mission. As teenagers age, other interests crop up: college, careers, personal lives - and sometimes the mission of FIRST will change or alter through the individual’s life filter. It doesn’t have to, it probably shouldn’t, but it does. In your lifetime, science and technology will continue to develop and you will be a part of it. You are a part of it now.

Inspiration happened for your team during your DARPA field trip. You were inspired and are sharing that inspiration with photos and with threads in Chief Delphi. Likely, your experiences will become an interesting part of your website. By sharing the exciting experience and what you learned, it will encourage others, including FIRST teams, to make the time to visit and to share their experiences with DARPA field trips and with other exciting events. The cup is half full.

[Joe Ross]

It was the same day as the SCRRF Fall Workshops, so many teams in Southern California were otherwise occupied.

I had considered going (It's about 2 hours away from me), but other things came up.

[falconmaster]

You can't control what goes on out there in the world of media. You can control what you think is important. Continue being the role model and eventually, hopefully everyone else will follow. If they don't, you know you are doing the right thing and rest easy in that.

[David Brinza]

I certainly would have gone to Victorville, but instead attended the SCRRF workshops at CSUN. One of our mentors, AJ, planned to go and root for Tartan Racing from Carnegie Mellon Univ (his alma mater). I'm guessing it was worth the trip for him !!

I went to the starting line for the first DARPA Grand Challenge near Barstow back in 2004. I took my youngest son, Clayton (now a senior on Team 16 - Bomb Squad), and we had a blast! We especially enjoyed the small group of Caltech students who painted themselves with "Go Bob!" and led some chants as Bob, the Caltech entry, started on the course.