What is "FIRST"?

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Formerly Famous

I do apologize if it sounds like I am just throwing my dirty laundry out there to dry, I am not meaning to. This was really the only way I say to get my point across, and ask for help.

While your intent is certainly good, I would be pretty upset and embarrassed if I were your head coach right now. I'm not sure apologizing to us is the correct action.

FIRST's main goal is not really about learning. As FIRST stands for it is about Inspiration and Recognition not teaching/learning. I believe Dean made this point at kickoff, saying that teaching should stay in the classrooms and schools.

Given the main goal of FIRST is to inspire, then as long as the students are inspired, I don't think there is any problems with mentors building the entire robot to win. Obviously, I would not choose to run a team this way, but I think it is a valid approach. I think each team needs to decide on what is the best way to maximize inspiration. Is it a mentor built robot, a 100% student built or a partnership?

I do think the "how do we get people to view the true mission of FIRST" conversation is a very good one.