(As written by one of our volunteer mentors.)

When I was in high school, I belonged to the Dungeons & Dragons club. (I know it had a more poetic name, but that’s what we did.) I won’t get specific here, but suffice it to say that everyone in the club shared the same race, gender and social status. Which isn’t necessarily surprising. We were all doing the exact same thing, and it’s not like we made any effort to attract a different demographic into our midst. In retrospect, one thing that I find puzzling is that while we were all on the fringes of the school’s social structure, rather than making that a common bond, we pretty much treated each other as losers.

As a new volunteer to the First Robotics project, it is a real treat to see such a different energy and mentality. Team B’East is comprised of a pretty diverse group of kids, pretty much mirroring the school’s population as a whole.

The project has a wide variety of facets, from robot design to construction, electrical wiring to machining parts, plus software development and control systems. Then there is the administration and operational side of managing the group. Plus the marketing side of things, which includes finding and signing up sponsors, creating and updating the web site, and more. Bottom line: there is something for everyone. It’s hard to imagine a high schooler who couldn’t find a task of interest, and a way to leverage his or her unique skills.

It’s also been cool to watch the teams form, interact, merge, split and reform. It’s an amazingly sophisticated, dynamic display of teamwork. There’s a lot to be done, and the group includes, involves, delegates and when necessary, reaches out into the student population to bring in additional skills. It all has a very natural, organic feeling to it. This isn’t inclusion being persistently drilled down from the program mentors. Rather, it’s a diverse group rallying around a common goal.

Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor and co-founder of FRC, asks:

“Why do FIRST folks talk so much about that phrase?”

Obviously it would not make sense to endorse ‘asinine professionalism’ or ‘gracious incompetence’. It is, however, completely consistent with the FIRST spirit to encourage doing high quality, well-informed work in a manner that leaves everyone feeling valued. Gracious professionalism seems to be a good descriptor for part of the ethos of FIRST. It is part of what makes FIRST different and wonderful.

Gracious professionalism has purposefully been left somewhat undefined because it can and should mean different things to each of us. We can, however, outline some of its possible meanings. Gracious attitudes and behaviors are win-win. Gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their actions. Professionals possess special knowledge and are trusted by society to use that knowledge responsibly. Thus, gracious professionals make a valued contribution in a manner pleasing to others and to themselves.

In FIRST, one of the most straightforward interpretations of gracious professionalism is that we learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. We try to avoid leaving anyone feeling like they are losers. No chest thumping barbarian tough talk, but no sticky sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, pride, and empathy comfortably blended.
Understanding that gracious professionalism works is not rocket science.

It is, however, missing in too many activities. At FIRST, it is alive and well. Please help us take care of it. In the long run, gracious professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. If one becomes a professional, and uses knowledge in a gracious manner, everyone wins. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you have acted with integrity and sensitivity.

That’s good stuff!

During the process of building a robot, we have the opportunity to use many types of new and old technologies, tools, and building techniques. Although many of the machines and tools we work with are easy or just downright fun to use, there is always an element of hazard involved, especially when making that late night coffee run. To help minimize the chance that someone will be injured here are a few tips to protect you.

• Wear eye protection! This one is the most important of all. Hence it is first. By wearing eye protection you protect your eyes from many flying projectiles such as metal shavings, saw dust, sparks, spittle from an angry and frustrated mentor, and other mini hazards. Plus they make you look cool.
• Be aware of your surroundings! If you spend all your time looking at that cute girl building the robot’s frame you might catch the back swing of your buddy’s hammer in the shoulder. Every now and then look around and make sure everything is all right before you resume working.
• Don’t bite off more that you can chew! If you think you might need help, you do. Your mentor does not want to take you to the ER because you dropped a rather heavy tool chest on your foot.
• Pay attention to what you are doing! A successfully built robot will have moving parts. It would be a shame to jam your finger in a gear and break the motor, not to mention that your finger will smart.


Safety First!

• Slow down! Even though you only have six weeks to get this done, drilling that hole faster won’t help that much. Imagine the time delay if someone drilled into them themselves.
• Remain calm! Frustration is a big part of this challenge and it will cause you to make mistakes. Take a break and get some fresh air. Your team will prefer you happily and maybe badly singing a tune while you work rather than throwing tools.
• Know what you doing! If you don’t get it, how can you do it right? This is especially true with machines and tools. Ask for help or have someone else do it for you. It is better to feel stupid now than look stupid once you return from the ER.
• Look out for each other! If someone is doing something that can result in injury, Please stop him or her. Your mentors will appreciate this.

The program exists to attract both a larger, more diverse group of students into the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. (The acronym “STEM” is often used.) This begins with a suitable college education. A variety of corporations and academic institutions have extended their support.

According to the US First Web site: “For 2008 there are already 90 colleges and universities, professional associations, and corporations from the United States and Canada providing 450 individual scholarship opportunities, valued at nearly $9 million, to FIRST high school students. And there will be more to come during the FIRST season. This is an official recognition of the knowledge and technical and life skills these students have gained from participating in a FIRST competition.

FIRST scholarships enable students to pursue majors and careers in engineering, computer science, science, math, design, aeronautics, and many other technical fields.”

Students can learn more about scholarship opportunities at FIRST Scholarships.

Institutions can learn about how to provide scholarship opportunities at FIRST’s Offering a Scholarship page.

See a list of students who have benefitted from FIRST scholarships.

Every year, First Robotics Founder (and famous inventor) Dean Kamen adds to the challenge by putting forth a special homework assignment. This year, Dean has asked us to focus on FIRST and branding.

During 2012′s Kick-off, Dean said FIRST will be the future. For many of the students involved, this is extremely true. FIRST will play a role in their college application process, their choice of career path, and eventually their job interviews and work. The students are challenged to incorporate FIRST into everyday life: it’s not just robotics, it’s FIRST robotics. We’re not team 2202, we’re FIRST team 2202. Dean also challenged the teams to display FIRST prominently, as a brand, on our robot at the competition. Come see us at the US Cellular Arena to see what we’re doing!

Another aspect of the homework is to follow the alumni and see where they’ve gone. FIRST Team 2202 contacted our alumni and created a new space dedicated to them on our website. This page shows a map of where they’ve branched out to across the United States and offers a list of testimonials about where their lives are currently, how FIRST Robotics helped get them to where they are, and what they’ve learned along the way. One of our alumni even had a job interview with a previous FIRST mentor! It’s a small FIRST world out there!

The last part of the homework includes awards and recognition of students, especially our Juniors, because a FIRST award speaks volumes on a college application. FIRST Team 2202 is hard at work recognizing our industrious team members. 

For more information about Dean’s homework, visit the FIRST Forums.

Find out more about the Brookfield East High School’s Robotics Club