Posted by colleen. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Other on team #246, a FIRST-aholic, from John D. O’Byrant High School/Boston Latin Academy and NSTAR/Boston University/Wentworth Institute of Technology/MassPEP.
Posted on 3/20/2000 10:30 PM MST
Looking at the little thread below, criticizing in a somewhat harsh way the method in which delphi runs their team… and the need for all to throw up defenses (even i tried to get my word in…)… all we need to do is remember…
‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.’
- William Arthur Ward
i believe it was mike that said it- we are all hear to inspire…
we are all working towards a common goal and all achieving it greatly and winning in our own ways… let’s never lose sight of that…
Congrats to Delphi, the Hoppers, and every single other team who as made the quest this far an as a FIRST team - we’re changing the world, and we’re doing it together… ‘wussy’ or not, the name of the game makes sense, this is ‘Co-operition’ to it’s highest extent… let’s work together an inspire the world…
Posted by Aya.
Student on team #115, MVRT, from Monta Vista High School and NASA Ames Research Center and 3Com.
Posted on 3/21/2000 12:29 AM MST
In Reply to: The Purpose of FIRST posted by colleen on 3/20/2000 10:30 PM MST:
: Looking at the little thread below, criticizing in a somewhat harsh way the method in which delphi runs their team… and the need for all to throw up defenses (even i tried to get my word in…)… all we need to do is remember…
: ‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.’
: - William Arthur Ward
I very much agree with you Colleen; regarding the string about the Chief Delphi robots, I was actually quite surprised to see a strong engineer/coach reaction and none much from the students, especially those of the questioned Delphi teams. I personally take pride in being one of the students inspired in this whole ‘movement,’ and although I would probably institute hands-on learning as my best medium of learning, I do not believe that there is any limit imposed in the field of inspiration. How, when, and by whom I would not know how we each derived the excitement of FIRST, as we all differ accordingly. However, interacting with my rookie members who have never attended a competition before in their lives who absolutely love this program, I never cease to revere the power of change in which it brings into the lives of students, teachers, parents, engineers, companies, communities, and everyone else that is tied with any of us of the FIRST community. Indeed, I hail Woodie and Dean for their brilliant efforts to enhance education through a wonderful program such as this, and everybody else who has brought me closer to FIRST.
Aya Maeda
MVRT 115
Posted by Kyle Huang.
Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Gunn High School and Sun Microsystems, Nasa/Ames and Xerox PARC.
Posted on 3/21/2000 1:12 AM MST
In Reply to: The Purpose of FIRST posted by colleen on 3/20/2000 10:30 PM MST:
You know, this discussion, or something very much like it comes up every year.
Engineer built vs. Student built robots, and teams as well. This year it just
happened to revolve around Chief Delphi for some reason. There are always
snickering comments about engineer-built robots. Last year, I was a part of these
discussions on this board, screaming in favor of student-built bots. But sometime
between then and now (probably around nationals last year) i realized one thing:
who cares?
It isn’t really about who builds the robot… To quote a few wise people,
'inspiring them to stick it out through the Calc 3 class'
'FIRST has (wisely, in my opinion) allowed teams to use their best judgement about what
balance is best to maximize the inspirational aspect of their FIRST programs.'
'It's about the Chairman's Award Stupid!!!!'
It’s about who the robot touches and influences. I still do think that student-run teams
have definite strong points, and i think every team should try it at least once. but
its every team’s decision on what to do. Each one of the teams in FIRST does not
set out to spite other teams. Nobody will go so far as to show up to nationals with a
completely different robot than what they have been playing with at regionals. The
engineers involved in this competition are not out to destroy the hopes of high school
students by beating them in competition…
GRT has gotten a bad reputation from a lot of teams (almost all on the west coast) for
‘playing rough’ at the 1999 NASA/Ames regional. We know we don’t deserve it, but
what is gracious professionalism about, also? I’m sure individuals may have
opinions like ‘chief delphi cheats and has two robots’… but not entire teams. these
individuals don’t understand what FIRST is. and if they still don’t by the time they
graduate from school and the competition, then I don’t really care where they end up
afterwards. If FIRST can’t help and inspire someone, what can?
Posted by Bethany Dunning. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Coach on team #349, RoBahamas, from International Academy and Ford Motor Company.
Posted on 3/21/2000 6:14 AM MST
In Reply to: Re: The Purpose of FIRST posted by Kyle Huang on 3/21/2000 1:12 AM MST:
Or, to quote Vince Wilczniski (I know I slaughtered the name Vince!) ‘FIRST isn’t about building a robot. It’s about building a team.’
Posted by Lora Knepper.
Student on team #69, HYPER (Helping Youth Pursue Engineering & Robotics), from Quincy Public Schools and The Gillette Company.
Posted on 3/21/2000 7:57 AM MST
In Reply to: Re: The Purpose of FIRST posted by Kyle Huang on 3/21/2000 1:12 AM MST:
Well said Kyle. Though I feel strongly in favor of student run teams, even my own is not that way! I have looked on Chief Delphi since my rookie year in FIRST with awe and respect. They have a reputation for fine bots and should not be questioned because of that! I like to think that FIRST is about all of us coming together, meeting people from around the nation…and even Canada and Brazil! As far as GRT’s reputation…I enjoy watching your bots in action, and I enjoyed playing with you last year even more. To be the best is nice, but to know that you make a difference is better IMHO. Chief Delphi gives us this oppotunity to come together online and work together over the competition, and in the off season. Though I have never been to the CDI, I have heard nothing but praise for it, and someday I hope to see it in person. It is now only a short time to the National, we should not be ripping each other apart, but supporting our fellow teams. For if you really look at it, no matter where you are from, we all have come together for the same reason…FIRST. We are truly only one team…the FIRST family.
Lora Knepper
Posted by Matt Ryan.
Student on team #69, HYPER, from Quincy Public Schools and Gillette.
Posted on 3/21/2000 5:05 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: The Purpose of FIRST posted by Kyle Huang on 3/21/2000 1:12 AM MST:
I do care who builds the robot. I think the students should build it, and I see the engineers as guides, to help us, but we shouldn’t exploit their knowledge because then we won’t learn anything.
But you are right that the competition is about learning, making friendships, and gaining skills we would not have otherwise.
By the way, who started the rumor that Chief Delphi’s robots were built by the engineers (which it probably is)? That rumor goes against everything FIRST is about, since FIRST is not about winning, its about learning. I think Chief Delphi does a great job of building robots, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to say that engineers build the robots for the students.
-=Matt Ryan=-
Posted by Becky Allen.
Student on team #16, Baxter Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home High School and Baxter Healthcare.
Posted on 3/21/2000 5:33 PM MST
In Reply to: Agreeing and Disagreeing posted by Matt Ryan on 3/21/2000 5:05 PM MST:
You are correct, Matt. FIRST is about learning, but not just about engineering. That’s what you go to college for. That’s what you spend four years learning. Do you think the engineers you work with learned their extreme knowledge in six weeks? No. The most important aspect of FIRST lies in the name: For INSPIRATION and RECOGNITION of Science and Technology.
FIRST is an outlet for high school students to see that science and technology has a purpose and to see that as high school students it is possible to do incredible things with technology. As a high school student, I do not have all the knowledge to do incredible things with technology, but my wonderful engineers at Baxter are able to show me magnificent possibilities because of their great knowledge. They do this in hopes of INSPIRING my fellow teammates and I to RECOGNIZE that science will benefit our future. Hopefully the engineers will have INSPIREd us to spend our money and become engineers. I really feel that this is the purpose of FIRST. FIRST isn’t about building a robot and winning a competition. It’s about building a robot and discovering possibilities. That’s what I call winning.
~Becky
Posted by Becky Allen.
Student on team #16, Baxter Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home High School and Baxter Healthcare.
Posted on 3/21/2000 5:45 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Agreeing and Disagreeing posted by Becky Allen on 3/21/2000 5:33 PM MST:
I forgot something…
This goes back to my comments on engineers as inspiration. My engineers, as I’m sure others are, are not there just to inspire the students to go pursue an engineering occupation. (Look at me…I’ll probaly major in History or communications.) Engineers inspire us to be better or greater than we think we can be. For instance, because of the engineers I have worked with, I was inspired to mentor two LEGO league teams this year. I found out why engineers enjoy of FIRST. It’s fun being a role model. And that’s what engineers are. There are not many, if any, other programs where students can work hand in hand with professionals. I feel a mixture of respect and friendship toward my engineers. Heaven knows I won’t be an enginner(nothing against the profession), but I do know that through FIRST I have learned better communication skills and been exposed to more public speaking oppurtunities. Those skills can be applied to any job. ~Becky
Posted by Greg Mills.
Engineer on team #16, Baxter Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home and Baxter Healthcare.
Posted on 3/21/2000 6:46 PM MST
In Reply to: P.S. posted by Becky Allen on 3/21/2000 5:45 PM MST:
:
If anyone ever wonders why we do this every year - then just read the above comments. Now everyone knows why I am bursting with pride about my kids. They know how proud I am of them because I’ve watched them grow over the past year and if I had a small part in that it was worth the long hours!
I love you guys!
Greg
Posted by Elaine Anselm.
Engineer on team #191, X-Cats, from Jos Wilson High School and Xerox.
Posted on 3/21/2000 8:09 AM MST
In Reply to: The Purpose of FIRST posted by colleen on 3/20/2000 10:30 PM MST:
I have to second Colleen’s comments here.
I do believe that spirit of ‘Co-Operation’ is alive and well within the FIRST community. That and the passion for excellence of the individuals on each team are what keeps FIRST alive and growing. Our team has been so very fortunate over the years to work with many of you out there. Each team’s forumula for success is different, but it produces the wonderful diversity that you see at competitions across the country. Some teams have a lot of money and some teams don’t. One is not better than the other - the better comes from what you do with the resources you have. There are as many formulas for success as there are teams. We have been involved in FIRST since 1992 and back then I did not beleive FIRST could be where it is today. I could not be happier when I see what has happend. Cooperation has played a tremendous role here.
A special thanks goes out to Chief Delphi for being a wonderful parter in New Jersey during the finals.
Best wishes and good luck to all in Florida.
Elaine