Collegiate FIRST competition

[Alan Anderson]

Some of the opposition I'm seeing to the idea of a FIRST competition for college students appears based on a misunderstanding of FIRST's goals. I won't dispute the claim that few students will change their direction and pursue engineering or technology based on the existence of such a competition. But I'll point out that the claim is not especially relevant to what FIRST is trying to do. Sure, we might not inspire more people to take up engineering as a profession, but in FIRST's name _I_nspiration is no more important than _R_ecognition.

We don't need to convince business or education or theatre majors to become engineers in order to promote the celebration of science and technology in society. We just need to make engineering an interesting everyday thing, as visible as art exhibits or concerts or football games. Some people become recognized as outstanding photographers or pianists or ball-throwers. If we find the right way to present things, some people will be similarly recognized as outstanding problem-solvers.

So don't dismiss a post-highschool engineering competition as undeserving of FIRST's attention. It's not the same focus as the programs aimed at younger students, but it can serve the same ultimate purpose.