Corporations Build Robots

[meaubry]

I realize that every year we have many, many, new folks register on this forum - and many don't know the history of FIRST, nor what it is really all about, so they ask questions. Every now and then, a topic or issue surfaces that causes debates and arguements about what is "right" or "fair" or "meant" by FIRST. The past 12 years experience tells me that this is one of them.

I must say, that I'm proud of the veterans that have absolved from posting the perverbial "did you search first" line. Thanks to those that have posted in a professional, and well mannered method.

From the 1st year to this past year, I can truely say that I've been part of every variety of engineer/mentor/teacher/student/parent level of participation in the FIRST experience with team 47.

From mostly engineer designed, to mostly student built.
Sometime, over the past 12 years, we made a big decision to re-locate the robot build from our company shop to the school - that made an enormous difference in who did what, and how we mentored to meet the same goal. In doing so we had to implement a plan that included re-stocking the school shop with the basic essential machines and equipment. It took a long term plan and alot of effort to get that done - thanks to the great relationship between our sponsor, the teachers, and the school, we were able to pull it off.

In doing so, what we learned was that regardless of the percent done by any group of team members, if you always stay focused on INSPIRATION as the goal, you will be successful. I would also have to say that regardless of the "mix" of who did what - we have always succeeded in meeting that goal - even when our robot didn't do very well - and I think that many of our students would support that statement.

To answer the questions in the initial post -
1) Are robots designed and/or built solely by the sponsor (engineers)? - I don't know, they might be, but to us, this is a non-issue - as our focus is on how our team attempts to meet our goal of inspiring the students.
2) Is it talked about - Yes, every year it comes up. As alluded to by others, it usually comes down to this.
FIRST doesn't care how much, if any, any one group of people from a team designs, builds, mentors, or INSPIRES (in any way), one, or all of the students on your, or any other, FIRST team.
3) I have no idea - again, it doesn't matter to us - see answers to #1 and #2

Mike Aubry
Engineer Lead, Coach, Mentor, Teammate
Chief Delphi - Team 47