The President gets it !!!!

[laurenlacy]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

Now Im not against FIRST getting governement funding, but seeing this country fall into a recession and take the whole world with it, Ive got my fingers crossed that we hit the low point already and we dont see anything worse. ... the first thing on our President's mind wont and shouldnt be funding the FIRST program.

I agree with this completely... I also think that while some of you have said that FIRST deserves more government funding or all of that, yes, perhaps they do but they have also at the same time created for themselves a somewhat cost prohibitive program. I am speaking mostly on an FRC level--I do a lot with trying to raise money for teams and a regional, and at least for the regional I speak of we are spending almost 170 dollars for every student attending the regional or 75 for every single person who attends. That doesn't even get to the teams part, the cost of running and funding a team. I firmly believe that a lot of the inspiration comes from the FRC program, I am a product of that. However when people are saying that FIRST deserves this money etc etc, it has to be backed up with fact. I know I am someone who would have never considered a career in engineering without the program, but as far as those I've talked to go (and I've made many friends through FIRST), it seems that many FRC participants are students who would already be pursuing a technical career.

Then, perhaps, we need to focus on what FIRST truly stands for -- For Inspiration and Recognition of science and technology. And I think that part is definitely working. It's not all about churning out scientists and engineers, and while yes that is great I think many of us are losing sight of what FIRST really is about--changing a culture, celebrating science and technology. To that end is where I think you can really justify the costs associated with the program--because that's where I think you are seeing the change. And it can be backed up... politicians, influential media figures, former presidents are coming to our competitions. Little by little people are "getting it". And president Obama's acknowledgment of our need for more scientists and engineers is a great example of this. I would challenge FIRST to come up with ways to keep the inspiration, but maybe cut down on the cost. It's only if programs like FRC are available to everyone that we'll really see change. I'm happy we have a president who "gets it", and as a FIRST community we need to continue to show those like president Obama how awesome our program is, and what it does for our communities and our culture. It's not just about becoming a scientist or an engineer--it's about celebrating science and engineering, no matter what career you choose to pursue.

[Molten]

Jane and all: I was by no means trying to discourage such conversation. I was just suggesting that perhaps it would be better suited in a thread specifically for that situation.

Afterall, there's a thread for everything and everything in it's thread.

[Team 135]

I am very happy that the top politician in our country get what is really needed. Now if we can only get him to nationals

[NorviewsVeteran]

Originally Posted by NorviewsVeteran

That is in a different thread, please keep it there.

Seriously guys.

[cheesehead97]

Has anybody invited someone else to nationals?

[PhilBot]

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

Don't get me wrong, I'm wholly encouraged by the President's comments. Publicly stating the right thing can certainly create positive rumblings in the culture, however actually affecting the decisions is much more difficult work .

Great post Ritch.

"Talking the talk" is easy, "Walking the walk" is harder.

Case in point....

During the DC regional (a new regional this year), we were all doing our best to promote Science and Technology to all the rookie teams that were just started in the DC area. We were hoping that they would get a feel for the fact that this can be just as much fun, and just as exciting, as a sporting event.

Being in the heart of Washington DC, its location was the perfect opportunity for politicians to get behind the concept and lead by example.

Imagine how dissapointed I was to learn that while we were doing our best to inspire, the President was a few blocks away at a basketball game.

We still have a long way to go .....

As a foreign implant (g'day mate) I don't know much about American politics, but I do know that "leading by example" is a powerfull tool, and that seeing a President (current or X) at a FIRST competition can be an amazing sign (I was at nationals last year).

Phil.

[dani190]

well you guys might of done your best but, the president is a human also.

Therefore i can sympathize with him seeing that he needs to relax just as much as we do...

[JoeXIII'007]

He has, and continues to get it...

IMHO, what I believe Obama understands is that there are so many ways of getting Science and Technology back in the mainstream of our culture, and how we do it exactly will intertwine with other pressing political issues.

The big elephant in the room that tends to drive what happens in these areas is international policy and relations (seeing now were in a Globalized society). The problems in that area tend to trickle down to the problems in science and technology (somehow, exactly how, I would write a full theoretical essay on).

So, in brief, a solution in international matters may just bring a solution to what is stifling scientific and technological progress.

That said, learning a thing or two about politics is critical.

As far as translating Obama's positions into funding and support for FIRST, it is important to remember that there are many more student science and engineering programs out there. Pretty sure a google search will fill you in on that. They will likely fund that which brings a very specific something to the table, what that is, I do not know. FIRST therefor needs to diversify to the fullest extent possible the areas of technology it covers in competition in an effort to show the government and Obama that they could use us as a force of change.

My rough 2 cents. Take it for what it is worth.

[J-Brock]

I think if the presedent watched a compatition, I think he would enjoy it.