So, what's your favorite part of FRC?

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by emekablue

Teehee, I take it that you like meeting other teams? I think I already like that [:

I love it. It's gotten to the point where 50% of the people I talk to monthly are people that I know through FIRST, 75% on a daily basis. It's cool. FIRST people are so cool.

Originally Posted by emekablue

As for cheering: PR(mostly girl-led) is trying to get everyone to wear red spandex and blue shorts...

Do it. "If the CAD guys will do it, nobody else (except maybe the programmers) will complain about doing it." And think about how awesome that will look.

(my team is huge on imagery/spirit, so I'm probably not the greatest person to ask "should all of us do x, y and z?", because I will say yes without much thought, regardless of how silly it may be)

[apalrd]

Originally Posted by Karibou

...I will say yes without much thought, regardless of how silly it may be)

‎

Originally Posted by Jim Zondag

"When you have no fear of embarrassment, a whole world of new possibilities opens up to you." ~ Jim Zondag

A quote from the Killer Bees lead mentor and drive coach and programmer.

[rsisk]

I really like a part that not a whole lot get to see and that is the debate in the judging room. It's a fascinating process to experience, especially at CMP when you have around 100 of the best judges from around the country in a single room debating which team is the best candidate for an award.

Second favorite part is talking with people outside of FIRST about it. Being a salesperson is great when you are selling a great product.

[rcmolloy]

I have to agree with everyone with the late night build season days. Although, my favorite times are definitely during competition and during matches. Just hearing my team scream excitement and cheering the drive team on is one experience I can't explain.

[midway78224]

I like mostly all of it.

I especially like the seconds before you get the game because those clues are still going thought your head and then you get the game and your either say "what does the clue have to do with that" or "ohhhh why didn't i think of that"

[s_forbes]

The kickoff event and the first few days or so afterward are my favorite, that's when the most puzzling and brain scratching happens. Oh, and the next week or so when I get to dream about fun mechanical designs and build methods in my head all day. Seeing the team's work all come together into a working robot is my favorite part, too.

Nothing beats going to a competition though.

[Carolyn_Grace]

Each year I find something new that is my favorite. I think that it really depends on how long you have been involved in the program and what your role is.

My first year, as a senior in high school, my favorite times were hanging out and building late at night towards the end of build season. I found that was when everyone got super silly and the main crew on the team would bond over stupid jokes and too much caffeine.

About five years later my favorite part of FRC became working with the students that I mentored...realizing that I was becoming someone that they could go to with issues in their lives and helping them grow. It was also a great time of growth for me: helping me become a better person and a more responsible adult.

Last year (8 years into participating in FIRST), my favorite part was meeting so many new people from other teams. I was lucky enough to have a friend walk around with me at the Championship event and introduce me to many of her friends. After that, I became much more confident at reaching out to other teams on my own.

This year, the thing that I am looking forward to the most is seeing all of the awesome people that I've met over the years, along with hanging out with my best friends on my own team, and working with my students (they never fail to make me laugh).

In summary: FIRST rocks.

[demosthenes2k8]

My favorite part is that I always get to learn and try new things, and then see how they work in the "real world."

[JaneYoung]

Being able to think and not being ridiculed or judged because I do.

Many smart children dumb themselves down because smart is not cool in many circles. Over the years, I've spoken with teachers from many schools who fight the peer pressure to dumb down and who continue to strengthen their resolve to increase the desire to learn and explore in their classrooms and on their FIRST teams. Being smart is cool. Problem-solving is cool. Thinking is powerful and empowering.

There are many people in FIRST/FRC who enjoy thinking and celebrate its results. I love that.

Jane