Why even bother submitting a Chairman's Award if we're not gonna win?

[dcarr]

Originally Posted by jacobythegreat

That is the main reason why there is a Chairman's award, to encourage development and success of the human species.

Wow, this is getting really deep

Congrats on your hard work and success.

[Bill_B]

FIRST is an organization that provides an education in STEM.

FIRST does not provide education, STEM or otherwise. FIRST's mission is to inspire those who would not otherwise consider STEM careers by showing them what is involved with STEM activity in a realistic setting. Of course, the actual mission statement, with which everyone should have more than a passing acquaintance, is much more elegant. See it at usfirst.org The Chairman's report is a record of your team's efforts toward that goal. If you haven't been doing anything related to the FIRST mission, your report will tell you about it and point out that you may need a course correction.

[dcarr]

Originally Posted by Bill_B

FIRST does not provide education, STEM or otherwise.

Education is often a useful byproduct of the process of inspiration that FIRST provides. Saying that FIRST does not provide education is in fact inaccurate in many cases; rather, it's not the primary goal.

[jacobythegreat]

That is true. It's not completely about STEM but it is a major part of the program as it is where the majority of alumni go into.

[DonRotolo]

We can quibble over the definition of "education", but the FIRST program creates an environment for it (in all its many forms).

[ebarker]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

We can quibble over the definition of "education", but the FIRST program creates an environment for it (in all its many forms).

go here http://www.mitfirst.org/

look at the third video - "Woodie Flowers"

watch a couple of minutes starting at 6:30, and you will get another definition of 'education'