FIRST is missing out

[archiver]

Posted by Jason Morrella at 04/26/2001 12:53 PM EST


Coach on team #254, Cheesy Poofs, from Bellarmine College Prep & others and NASA Ames/Cypress Semiconductor/Unity Care.


In Reply to: Re: FIRST tries. But Is it enough and do Battle Bots =FIRST
Posted by Joe on 04/26/2001 11:37 AM EST:



My reply to those who do battle bots instead of FIRST - Let them.
Adults who do battle bots are doing it for themselves, not for kids. they are doing it as an adult destruction derby. It is a hobby, and a self interest activity which has NOTHING to do with helping or teaching kids. There is nothing wrong with that - just a different goal. Let's not fool anyone - battle bots has NOTHING to do with educating kids or helping prepare them for college: it is a televsion show based on ratings, money, dumbed down WWF mindless violence, and moronic commentary.

And if kids participate in battle bots "INSTEAD" of FIRST, the losers are the kids in that situation, not FIRST. Those kids will be losing out on all the value & benefit of going through FIRST. Trading that to get 5 minutes of airtime on a ridiculously dumbed down TV show is a bad trade - but it is their choice to make.

If someone offered you the choice between endless exquisite, well balanced, 5 course dinners at a gourmet restaurant or a bottomless bag of powdered doughnuts - which would you choose? Very similar to the choice between FIRST & battle bots, if some actually see it as a "choice". I like powdered doughnuts - but that certainly isn't the diet I would want myself or my students to rely on for nutrition and growth.
That's my 2 cents.


: If FIRST does not start to conform to the "puplics desire for robotics" even if it is "agressive" by changing the way we play the game to competition and a real season rather than a few regionals. There is a good chance more and more people will form battle bot teams.
: Joe
: PS The goal of FIRST is to educate high school students to the wonders of science and technology while encourageing carrers in engineering. Currently battle bots do the same thing but on a larger scale???? Post your thoughts.