"I'm not that smart"

[tennispro9911]

The problem when people say they aren't that smart is that usually they mean they don't have enough knowledge, or that they aren't good at specific things.

I try to start off by saying that when I started that I didn't know very much about robotics either.

Our team tries to explain that we will go through and teach incoming members all of the basics they need to succeed and that there are many different positions and needs on the team other than just building robots. Every member will make contributions in what they enjoy doing and are good at doing. We are a team that needs lots of people who are different and not just the "genius and nerd."

At least thats how it works in theory. Our team doesn't have many non-tech people.

There is a difference between aptitude and knowledge.

On a seperate note, what would you do if someone who really wasn't smart was thinking about joining? I don't mean someone who is average in school, I mean someone who say is having serious trouble understanding remedial classes in school?

[SafetyGracie]

Originally Posted by tennispro9911

On a seperate note, what would you do if someone who really wasn't smart was thinking about joining? I don't mean someone who is average in school, I mean someone who say is having serious trouble understanding remedial classes in school?

We kind of have that situation. There is a kid on our team with a mental disability(it's mild) but we still find things for him to do. He deburs and rivets and some other stuff. He enjoys it, and he's still putting something in for the team, so no one minds really.

[tennispro9911]

A lot of people outside FIRST, for the most part, think along the lines of smart=knowledge=experience=intelligence=ability=.. ...

Thats not true. Its not how much knowledge you have, its how much you want to learn. Its how much time you are willing to spend learning X Y and Z. Thats what is important. The senior who comes in knowing everything about programming, and just writes the code he already knows how to write doesn't gain nearly as much as the freshman who goes in knowing next to nothing about robots and emerges in four years knowing a heck of a lot about robots, and even more about leadership, teamwork, and the term is overused, but gracious professionalism.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I like to think that the majority of people have about the same level of intelligence. The difference between us is how much we are committed to narrow our focus. I once met a brilliant heart surgeon. He would analyze your heart function by measuring it's volume when fully open and when fully compressed, throw in some variables based on your size (skin surface area), age, sex, etc. and be able to tell if your heart was capable of delivering the required flow at the right pressure. He was called on as an assistant in all kinds of difficult surgeries at different hospitals all over the state. But he couldn't remember how to play, rewind and fast forward a tape machine. He had focused his vision so much that all of his attention was on hearts and nothing else. His office assistant told me he had a hard time finding his office some days.
So if everyone is about the same then the response should be "you are already smart enough, you just need to focus on something. Join the team and we will help you learn how to do that."

[RoboMom]

There are lots of resources available on the FIRST website, and within the Regional Planning Guides (although the challenge is often finding them )

Over the years I've collected various "core messages" and responses from FIRST when questions like these arise.

I found this is one. Sorry I don't know where it came from on the site, but it is "official" language.

Is scientific, technology or mathematics expertise required for students to participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition?
FIRST invites students who may not be predisposed to science, math, or technology to participate. In fact, the FRC is designed to inspire, motivate and encourage students to learn basic principles while challenging more experienced students. Since there are critical roles for students in everything from design and building , to computer animation, to fundraising and research, every student can actively participate and benefit.

I also add the words "teamwork" "professionalism" and "problem-solving". And the word "FUN."

[Lancer Robotics]

As a rookie team this past season I took our school coordinator to vidit one of the most experienced team in out State. (only had 3 at the time) and they let us go over their past 7 robots and take pictures and ask 1000s of questions.

When we got in the car to return home she looked at me and said "can our girls do that? It looks so complicated". this is a similar reaction that I get from potential students. I tell them the same thing I told our coordinator, don't look at the final product, look at the individual parts. it is easy to make a gusset and fasten it to a piece of metal, or easy to conect a wire to a motor.

Just like an airplane home builder says, look at the individual step not the whole project or you will become over whelmed.

Our team members who thought they could only design tee shirts are now looking at designing the robot for next year. It is not brains but desire that matters.

These are just my ramblings but i hate hearing anyone say "I am not that smart" As Alexandre Kemurdjian said "Everyone is capable of doing extraordinary things in their own way"

[sgreco]

I have gotten that a lot. I request to someone that they join our team and they say that they aren't smart enough. I tell them "I'm not smart either...heck...I just asked you to join."

I'm just kidding. But seriously, I do get that a lot. I usually tell them the truth, "I hardly knew anything when I started." The way I like to represent my team, is by saying that we are a team that teaches engineering, programming etc. This way, I think kids feel less intimidated, because they are being taught instead of just applying skills that they already (or don't already) have. Of course it doesn't always work, but it is a good place to start.

[JesseK]

I like the word, potential.

So if everyone is about the same then the response should be "you are already smart enough, you just need to focus on something. Join the team and we will help you learn how to do that."

I think along these lines as well. My response would be "Sure you are! You just haven't realized it yet."

[Andrew Schreiber]

I would always tell people that it isn't a matter of "smart", more a matter of passion. Basically that even if you THINK you lack the natural abilities that some people have you can more than make up for them with a willingness to learn. (story at end of post)

Also, a good point to always make, FIRST is about teamwork. I know very few people who would be capable of taking a FRC robot from design through to competition all alone. Yet I know TONS of "smart" people. You don't need to know how everything is done, you need to know what you have an interest in.

An interesting story about someone who feels they are not so smart:

My father is a man who often tells us he has never read a whole book in his life. I believe him, he is slow at reading. He is horrible with computers, and frankly gets confused using a TV. What my father IS good at is math, not so much the calculus math, he hasn't taken much past algebra. But he is very at using numbers to make a point. By looking at numbers he was able to help us keep our school alive. Here is a man who claims he is not very smart but using what he does have, and what he knows, he was able to make a HUGE difference.

Another point about my father, despite not understanding computers, he follows several tech stocks and surprises me with his understanding of what they make on a pretty regular basis.

I tell this story because here is a person who doesn't think they are smart (like your young man) who has made a massive difference for at least one school. Brains aren't everything, in fact they count for less than nothing. What matters is using your abilities, whatever they may be, to improve yourself and those around you. Oh and for reference, I think he is one of the smartest people I know.

Sorry for the essay

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Damien1247

Sorry for the essay

Andrew,
Stories that give examples of the caliber yours just did are what make ChiefDelphi such a special place. It sounds like your father is a man with common sense - a quality that is sometimes underestimated and never should be.

[MGoelz]

I get this response often. Even sitting at lunch, talking to some friends, somebody will say, "I'm not smart enough to do that."

That's when I like to tell stories about how certain members of our team joined, thinking it was all fun and games and we only want to win, who now take it seriously, still have a lot of fun, but have learned so much it has taken them down a completely different path. It has lead to different careers.

I tell them my own story. Sure, I may be a little "book smart," but I knew next to nothing about robotics when I joined. The beauty was in the learning. I too have always felt welcome. Robotics is more of a family to me than my own. It changed me and the way I think. I want to be an engineer now. Had I not been given the opportunity to be on this team, I never would have truly desired to be an engineer, let alone know the intricacies of designing and manufacturing something.

And, as has been mentioned, taking the time to teach them something small right then and there, will make a huge difference in what they think they can do. It did with me. There were a few people who took the time to show me and teach me, and I have and always will admire and respect them for that. I try to do the same, because I am living proof that it works.

It simply takes convincing that they are capable. Convincing and the desire of the interested student to learn, and the willingness of veteren members to welcome them and teach them.

[Andy Baker]

This reminds me of a time from IRI last weekend:

I was head ref. At the end of each match, the refs have to total up the penalties, account for the bonus balls, allow the teams on the field, and communicate scoring adjustments to the scoring table. During the match or after the match, I had all of the penalties and bonus points written on a pad of paper. I would refer to this paper when talking to the scorekeeper.

I asked the field reset people to leave the trackballs on the overpass alone, and not put up any other trackballs, until the next match is randomized. My reason for this is that I like to double check the trackball bonus points as I tell the scoring table how many counted... so, I want to see those balls up there (no more, no less).

The field reset people asked me, "why do you want us to wait?"

My response was "I'm not that smart! Leave those balls up there in case I forgot to write them down."

I'm smart enough to realize that I sometimes have non-smart moments.

-----

Smart is a relative term. Everyone is smart about something, but still dense about others. Once people realize that they have potential to be smart at anything, nothing can stop them.

Andy B.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by tennispro9911

Its not how much knowledge you have, its how much you want to learn.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

then the response should be "you are already smart enough, you just need to focus on something. Join the team and we will help you learn how to do that."

Originally Posted by klrswift

Joining a FIRST team is the beginning of "smart," not the culmination.

Originally Posted by Lancer Robotics

It is not brains but desire that matters.

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

Smart is a relative term. Everyone is smart about something, but still dense about others. Once people realize that they have potential to be smart at anything, nothing can stop them.

Holy Cow, this thread has more WOW quotes than any I have read in several years.

My answer would "Smart is as smart does", which is very much like what the quotes above are saying.

Don

.

[cooker52]

Leave it up to Gracie to come up with a thread that get's everyone's attention. I think I'll post my response after the quotes.

Originally Posted by SafetyGracie

I told him that not many people come on to our robotics team knowing what they're doing, and we train people to learn the skills that we use to build the bot. As long as you show an interest, you can become a part of the team and join whatever subteam you want to, and we'll get you the skills necessary.

Gracie, that is one of the best response I have heard for this situation. And I've heard a lot (especially looking down this thread). Good job!

Originally Posted by SafetyGracie

Yeah, we always try to show them Samir. =)

This is Samir, he can be a goofball sometimes (last I checked, he was in our team uniform and going to ride that bot around the fair).

Originally Posted by tennispro9911

Our team tries to explain that we will go through and teach incoming members all of the basics they need to succeed and that there are many different positions and needs on the team other than just building robots. Every member will make contributions in what they enjoy doing and are good at doing. We are a team that needs lots of people who are different and not just the "genius and nerd."

We really are pushing that this year and making sure people know it. If they are remotely interested in what we do, we encourage them and try to find a place they fit in.

Originally Posted by SafetyGracie

We kind of have that situation. There is a kid on our team with a mental disability(it's mild) but we still find things for him to do. He deburs and rivets and some other stuff. He enjoys it, and he's still putting something in for the team, so no one minds really.

We have a couple like that. But I don't know many times they don't try to find something to help with. And with a lot of holes and rivets, it isn't hard.

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I like the word, potential.

Potential, everyone has it. That's the way I try to see things around here. It's not that hard at all. Find what they're good at and build on it.

Originally Posted by JesseK

I think along these lines as well. My response would be "Sure you are! You just haven't realized it yet."

That's catchy, I think it would get a lot of people encouraged to join.

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

Smart is a relative term. Everyone is smart about something, but still dense about others. Once people realize that they have potential to be smart at anything, nothing can stop them.

I have found that to be true in each person I have found. Whether they can draw, do math, sketch awesome ideas, or even talk, I haven't found anyone who isn't smart.

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

Holy Cow, this thread has more WOW quotes than any I have read in several years.

I don't know about several years, but I read it with my mouth open the entire time. Then to realize who started it, I'm impressed.

When I talk to someone who is interested in what we are doing, I'll start to talk to them, kinda make friends with them. When I show them stuff on the robot, I'll simplify some of the names to help them understand, and I still may not know what it's called either, but I know it is definitely a thingy that does this or that. As they become more interested or start to shy off, especially with the classic "I'm not that smart", I'll pull out what they're good at and then make it fit in the team. It is hard to not find something they aren't good at or don't like to do. They can all fit in.

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

If I may, passion will help get through school - but smart goes a long way towards achieving that degree. We need our smart people. We need our brilliant people. We also need to remember that sometimes there are those who are forming/deciding who they are and what they are made of and they may not think they have what it takes. That is when passion and support can help them engage. We need our JVNs and Karthiks. We need our Andy Bakers and Dave Laverys. We need our MGoelzs and our KathieKs. Everyone can contribute, can care, can make a difference on a team and in this thing called FIRST. That's the point.

Yes, you may.

[sgreco]

Originally Posted by Damien1247

I would always tell people that it isn't a matter of "smart", more a matter of passion.

You are absolutely right. I love it. You hit the nail right on the head. It is totally a matter of passion. Nothing makes FIRST more fun than it already is, like someone who is dedicated and has fun doing what they are doing. A dedicated team is a happy team. I am never happier than when I am in the lab with a bunch of dedicated enthusiastic team members. Usually dedicated, happy and enthusiastic team members get the most work done. Sometimes one person with a true passion for what they are doing can enhance the atmosphere of the team.