Posted: As we come to the end of hundreds of intense hours of work leading to the Wisconsin FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Regional event on March 11 – 13, on behalf of all the mentors and Team 930, I would like to thank you for allowing your child to participate in the amazing adventure of FRC. Although you have seen little of your son or daughter the past eight weeks, the time they spent with the team was not only time working toward a common goal, but time invested in their future.
Everything they learned during this build season reinforces concepts introduced in school and probably many they won’t learn for a year or two. The biggest benefit however comes in the hands-on experience they gain as they learn from engineers. This is like a field trip every time the team meets because at every meeting there is a professional to answer questions, teach concepts and guide the team through whatever engineering or technical challenge they face.
It may seem overwhelming to new participants but FIRST is an exceptional program offering unparalleled opportunity. Not only do team members gain experience that few youth will ever be exposed to, they learn lifetime skills beyond engineering and technology that will help them succeed in school and life next year and many years beyond. At the top of that list of skills is time management, for nowhere is that more crucial than in FRC. With a huge task to complete in a limited amount of time, ineffective time management on the team leads to missed deadlines, which affects the end result.
Additionally, team members learn the importance of effective, clear communication and teamwork. At the regional event, team members’ public speaking skills will be tested as they share information about the team, and in some cases about FIRST, with other FRC teams, politicians, company executives, school administration and the general public. Scattered throughout the entire experience are lessons in marketing, public relations and community service.
While all these facets are important, one of the biggest benefits I have seen in my years as a mentor is the confidence members gain as they learn they can operate a drill, cut with a power saw, tap Item, design, build and program a robot. They have learned they are capable of setting and reaching a goal that may have seemed unattainable at one time. They have learned that even though they are young, they have much to offer and they can make a difference. They made friends who enjoy the same thing they enjoy and spend time in a positive atmosphere with people they trust.
In today’s age when news of youth drug use and suicide is way too common, FIRST positively impacts young people and helps shape their future. For some, it may give them a place to feel comfortable with their peers, which might not be available in the harsh, judgmental world of high school.
While Team 930 is a year-round team, the experience culminates next week with well-earned trip to regional competition. Thank you for allowing your child to join the team for three amazing days of excitement as they see the fruits of their labor come to life. We can hope there will be a possibility of national competition in April, but right now our focus will be at the US Cellular as we join 49 other teams in an unbelievable experience. Hopefully you will be able to join us for nothing compares to being part of the experience.
Sincerely,
Carol Bauer
Team 930 mentor
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