The "FIRST" experience?

[Taylor]

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.
Nowhere in there does it say anything about Learning - else we might be in FLIRT Robotics.

To say FIRST is an engineer factory is to seriously underestimate the devotion and influence of hundreds of NEMs. The program is the brainchild of an MIT professor and a WPI dropout.

I'm not convinced that FIRST is about changing career paths of the world's youth. The phrase that keeps repeating itself to me is "it's about changing the culture, it's about celebrating brains instead of brawn." Whether a teenager is inspired to become an engineer, mechanic, surgeon, OSHA advisor, or journalist, he or she can use skills honed by being involved in FIRST. That teen also has a much greater chance of reaching that goal than the one who wants to be the next NBA, WWE, or R&B star.

As I spend more time with the FIRST community, I realize that every team is different; there's no right way to do things, and I'm not sure there's a wrong way. As Mr. Kressly said, there's just the way that is best suited to each team and its situation. Recall the vignette of a man robbing a bank with 20 customers inside. The police got 20 different accounts of the same robbery.

College is a place for minds to mature. Part of that maturation process is leaving the cozy, comfortable nest of your adolescence and exploring the world and viewpoints outside your own. As part of the maturation journey, there will be moments where you will be forced to question your deeply held values and beliefs; even if these change, you will find your convictions will be stronger. Good luck on your journey, and remember that just because you question something, that doesn't make it wrong.