I continue to be in FIRST because I strive to inspire the kids to pursue their dreams.
I continue in FIRST because it has inspired me.
To take a quote I made on Facebook a few weeks ago about the financial sacrifices volunteers make on behalf of serving FIRST: "
It’s no big deal really. I chose to do this so I don’t mind making a little financial sacrifice. I always thought the definition of volunteering was to give selflessly of oneself without any expectation of reward or reimbursement. I prefer using my vacation time doing FIRST. The people I see at the events aren’t just my friends -they’re family. I just love being around them. And even though I always looked pissed off and I don’t like dancing I always have the time of my life at the event all the time. Even when I’m barking at the kids because they don’t do what I ask them to I still love them all. Not just the X-Cat kids. Or the Rolling Thunder kids. Or the G.R.R. kids. Or the Sparx Kids or the Rochester FIRST kids but all of them. They’re all my kids and I want to see the best from them and for them so I would sacrifice a hundred time more of myself for their sake. I know of hundred of other mentors just like us who would gladly do the same because we know if we didn’t stand up for them then who would?
Continue? You mean we can quit? Why didn’t someone say so!
Seriously, FIRST does seem to take a huge amount of time and energy. I would be out of here tomorrow if it weren’t for the students. They are just so darn deserving and appreciative. What’s up with that? :ahh:
I continue to be in FIRST to insprie and be inspired.
-Nick
Because I’m crazy.
… but that’s a good thing.
I continue to be in FIRST because it inspires me to push myself beyond my limits. Through FIRST I realized I am capable of doing so much more which inspired me to go to college for engineering. I never realized that I had that much potential. FIRST also helped me build my confidence and help me grow as a person. I get to meet new people and learn new things everyday and I cant ask for more because I feel like the sky’s the limit right now
I coach Competitive Educational Robotics (VEX & FRC) and I teach for one very good reason:
I can’t think of anything better to do.
- Mr. Van
Coach, Robodox
I went from student to mentor of team 701. I stay in FIRST to have the opportunity to watch each year of students give back to the younger students and the way everyone teaches each other on our team. Our team hasn’t won a regional or chairman’s, but each year we get closer and closer, and it feels like we’re right on the cusp of it.
I never feel like our team has taken a step backwards. And to me, that’s amazing.
Because FIRST is like a highly addictive drug and I can’t wait to get my fix during every day of build and competition season.
As a new father, I have honestly been toying with the idea of leaving FIRST, if only temporarily, so that I can focus more time on my family. It has been emotionally draining, me not being able to see our son for a four-day stretch, and even more challenging for my wife to handle him with little to no help. I know I am missing pivotal moments in his development, and I long for the chance to just be with him.
I am the only faculty member involved in our FIRST program, and thus, I am required to be at whatever events the team wants to participate in that are “school-sponsored” activities.
I have given my students a half-hearted ultimatum that if they value this program, that it be their charge to find additional help for me amongst the school faculty that can alleviate part of my burden so that I can spend time with my family. So far, I have yet to hear anything of their efforts, and it saddens me to think that I may have to let go.
Now, I say that my ultimatum is half-hearted, because I know the value of this program, and I have witnessed the benefits that the students receive. I don’t think I am able to walk away from this team, but I cannot continue to work in this capacity for much longer. It would be irresponsible to my family and to my team (because my heart wouldn’t really be into it as I would be constantly missing my family). But for now, I am still here…and I know that my situation is not unique.
So the question becomes – why did I post it in this thread? And the answer leads us back to the original question – “Why do we continue to participate in FIRST?”
I am a teacher. I see my job as a facilitator of independent learning, meaning it is my job to make you think, and to help you learn HOW to learn.
FIRST does this and more. It removes creative boundaries, and removes standardized scoring rubrics. It expands the capacity of an individual to think outside of the box. It promotes teamwork, and allows students to develop their own projects in which they work with their peers. It allows you to appreciate the accomplishments of others without jealousy, but with admiration. I could continue this paragraph for another 20 lines, but the jist of it is – Once you are exposed to FIRST, it is hard to turn your back on it, because you know that your students are benefitting in more ways than any other program could ever offer.
So for me, considering leaving FIRST has been the most heart-wrenching and draining situation I’ve ever had to deal with. I’ve spent 10 years of my life helping to build a program that I’m exceptionally proud of, but I cannot continue to work in this capacity alone. I hope that we have the chance to continue our team in the future, and inspire another teacher (or two or three!) to become integrated into our fold.
Sorry for venting, but it’s been one of these huge “on-my-minds” that I wanted to get out verbally for a while.
I’m technically still a student, so maybe I’m out of line posting here, but as a member of the team leadership the past two years I’ve really had a change of perspective on how FIRST impacts students. So here’s why I plan to continue being a part of FIRST:
This was a Facebook post by a freshman member of our team:
"After the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in Salt Lake City:
What I learned:
- Robotics is worth far more than the fees, it is absolutely priceless.
- There are significantly more girls in FIRST Robotics than I ever thought…
-
######## is an awesome robot driver (and he was already boss anyway).
- Looney Toons is slightly demented, especially on a bus full of teenagers.
- Being a mascot is freaking AWESOME!
- I’ve learned more in Robotics in less than one year than I have in 2 years of school.
-
###### is the BEST Safety Captain, even though she can be boss(y) sometimes…
-
###### looks like a samurai with his hair tied back.
- Our robot wasn’t the best?!
- Being on a bus for 7 hours can be REALLY fun with so many awesome people.
Comments:
- I wouldn’t miss next year’s regional for ANYTHING!
- Dean Klein totally deserved the Woodie Flowers award!
- The DJ at the competition was awesome! Playing stuff like Skrillex, Daft Punk, Numa Numa, etc.
- Going to the competition was THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!
- EVERYBODY needs to check out robotics next year!
- I am totally content with where we placed, even though we aren’t going to nationals. I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL get there next year.
- FIRST is the coolest!
-
########, ##### ####, ######### ####, #### ####### + ##### ####### NEED to join Robotics next year."
Seeing new members grow and become excited about FIRST, STEM and teamwork is a truly amazing experience. After winning the RCA last year in Utah, and watching my team rush down to the field, I realized that FIRST wasn’t about the robot, engineering, the build season, or even the Chairman’s award, but about learning, teamwork, and becoming passionate about a project that you design from the start. I know the effect that mentors have on the students, and if I can be half what any of our mentors have been throughout my four years of FIRST, then I’ll be more than satisfied with what I’ve done to help my future students.
Last year, I personally had 225 reasons to continue in FIRST!
This year, I hope to found more 225 reasons including some “very special little reasons”
You called it, Ken.
Jane
I’ll be honest, it’s because I’m selfish.
Seeing the direct impact your time can have on students and the satisfaction of seeing a napkin sketch become a cad model, then into machined parts in less than six weeks is something you really can’t get anywhere else.
I’m pretty sure I know how you feel. I am not thinking of leaving FIRST, but I have been trying to think of ways that I can keep the team(s) going strong without neglecting my family. My wife and her side of the family have been doing most of the parenting while I am gone most of the time for robotics, and I have a lot of associated guilt.
I love it too much to quit, and I think FIRST can do more for the world than any other extracurricular program.
Because FIRST has changed my life already, and I want to find all the ways it will change others’.
I just like a good challenge! 
Because even though I’m probably not going to be an engineer I still value what FIRST has taught me: leadership, teamwork, ingenuity, inspiration, dedication, determination, hard work, challenging yourself, and gracious professionalism.
Because without FIRST I wouldn’t have met the people I call family.
Because I wouldn’t have aything else to do on the weekends.
Because I like seeing my team’s ideas come to life.
Because I want to encourage more people to join.
Because I want to make sure high school students can continue to get introduced to STEM in a fun and exciting way. Just like I was.
I have been involved with FIRST for 17 years, and many of you already know that. I started out at the wee age of 5 and have been heavily involved ever since. My greatest highlight in FIRST thus far is being a mentor. FIRST is about the bonds and relationships that are formed, and when those bonds and relationships become as strong as they are you can achieve greatness.
As a first year mentor, I was a bit lost and it was hard to hand everything over to the students, for I had been used to writing awards and designing the robot with other students as a student for 7 plus years, but I found a way and it was done.
But to answer your question, whole heartedly, I do this, I do FIRST, for the students. Day in and day out I am there for them, in school or out of school 24/7 and they all know that. The one thing that I always tell my kids is that, if they are happy I am happy. Because they are the future, and they are the leaders of our team. Their decisions drive what the team does and it is what they want to do. I am in this to give them something to do in and out of school and provide opportunities to them that they otherwise may not encounter. For a few of my students that I have had, furthering their education was not really something they thought about, but after showing them and inspiring them, it is 100% possible, they look at higher education and create paths for themselves that they may not have deemed possible.
Teaching the students new and innovative things, while guiding them down different and inspirational paths in life is why I do this. I’m not one to “flaunt” in any way shape or form, but I do this to be a role model. Knowing a student changed their “track” for college and where they went because you inspired them to do so, means the world to me. And to hear the students say we can do this and we can do anything we set our minds to, really gets me going and keeps me going, because they never give up.
And last but certainly not least, I do this because this team is my family and they reassure that to me each and everyday.