The Pres., the Govs of Hawaii and NH and, um, Tx Address HS Robotics Teams, and the Gov of Tx...

[NNadir]

...thinks he's at, um, a spelling bee.

This morning was a national video conference at which high school students all around the United States had the ground rules of the national robotics challenge for 2010.

The organization that runs these national competitions is http://www.usfirst.org/">FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization dedicated to encouraging our young people to understand and participate in science and engineering.

Here in New Jersey, the conference was held at Montgomery High School, and I would estimate that more than a thousand students, parents and volunteers gathered to learn the rules for this year's national competition.

Before the heavily anticipated rules for the game and the competition were announced, there were a lot of speeches from members of the FIRST organization, past winners of competitions - many of whom went on to stellar careers in science and engineering - members of the media, supporting corporations and political figures, including the President of the United States.

The President came on and was widely and loudly cheered (spontaneously) by our audience and after gave a fine speech about how important our young people's participation in science is to the future of this country and the world. He emphasized the challenges before our planet and our country and he stated in unambiguous terms that while he was happy to welcome winning sports teams to the White House - he mentioned NCAA champions - he now intended that the winners of science events, including the FIRST robotics competition, would also be invited to the White House to be honored.

That, alone, is enough to make me proud of this President, for all the kvetching from people who are far purer than I am.

I suspect that one reason that the President was so loudly cheered was the contrast between him and um, the Governor of Texas, who preceded him, that would be Governor Goodhair, Rick Perry.

The deal was to show that FIRST is national, and covers our entire country, and so we had the Governor New Hampshire, where FIRST was founded, speak, and the Governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle, speak to the budding scientists, and each made appropriate comments about how import science and engineering are to the futures of their states.

And then we had the Governor of Texas, Governor Goodhair, Rick Perry.

I have to admit that it has been my privilege to have never heard the Governor of Texas speak, but when I had to do so - there was no way to leave the crowded auditorium and really, I was waiting to hear the President - I was struck about how insipid and how very much alike the last occupant of the White House before our new President Governor Perry was.

It was all there, the stupid hand gestures, the mangled grammar and the idiotic remarks. The Governor's speech consisted not of anything relevant to encourage science or speak to science, but rather a remarkable bit in which he blessed us all by spelling "F-I-R-S-T."

Quoth the father sitting next to me, with whom I had been having a rather pleasant conversation about medicinal chemistry (and other chemistry), "Oh look, a Governor of Texas who can spell."

No wonder everyone cheered the next speaker, our President.

Our President is not perfect, nor should we expect him to be, but I have never in my long life felt so reassured to hear any President.

How soon we forget.

The afternoon spent with the fine young people who are my son's schoolmates - my son is a 9th grader and a HS robotics "rookie" - was probably the most enjoyable afternoon I have spent with my son that I've had in some time. These are fine young people, lead by a fine community, and, thankfully, a fine young President with a fine mind and a fine tone to encourage us to be inspired.

Kudos to FIRST, kudos to the United States for looking to encourage a re-dedication to science, and a hearty salute and thanks to the President of the United States!

[Mopar151]

1. I'm in NH - know lots of "Firsters"

The kids and team advisers are awesome - a place where geeks, nurds, and poindexters fit right in! But, like any youth program run by adults, it has some problems. Without going into snarky detail - the outcomes should be a little more about the kids, and less about sponsorships and the greater glory of FIRST.

[NNadir]

2. Well it's my FIRST experience with them. I like their call for "super-nerds."

No matter how it plays out, it is clearly a wonderful organization with a fine purpose.

In general, everything "for the kids," from soccer to less estimable things like say, the homophobic Boy Scouts, involves parents in less than ideal ways.

This is true, actually, of school boards.

However, whatever the failings, I have deep respect for anything that brings young people together and closer to science.

[Mopar151]

3. I'm with you on everythig you said.

I like the purpose of the orginisation just fine. Just keep an eye on 'em, so FIRST doesn't go down the same road. Sponsorship issues is a lot of why the Scouts ended up homophobic....

[eppur_se_muova]

7. “God made the Idiot for practice, and then He made the School Board.”

At least according to Mr. Clemens.

I've not had the pleasure of dealing with a School Board directly, but from what I've read of Richard Feynman's experiences, I would expect it to be both unpleasant and possibly beneficial (for all). I'd be inclined to run for a position if I thought it would leave even one Bible-thumping, evolution-doubting, GW-denying, magical-thinking fundy off the Board.

I will have to look up FIRST. I had never heard of them before. I grew up in the South, and I could really have used something like FIRST then. I played with LEGOs, too. :)

BTW: http://www.usfirst.org

[caraher]

4. My sons have been in FIRST competitions

From what I've seen the best competitions are the ones based on kits. The "highest" level tends to get dominated by the engineer parents and the sponsors who put up the big bucks required to compete. But the less elaborate competitions mean that the students really do the work. They used VEX kits 2 years ago; I'm not sure what kits FIRST Tech Challenge uses now, but I think that's the best level both for the return on financial investment and student outcomes.

[NNadir]

5. I have to admit, that I woke up last night with engineering ideas. Maybe I'M the one

who needs to check something at the door.

Thanks for your perspective.

[caraher]

6. Nothing wrong with that...

so long as the kids take the lead. But it can be hard not to dive right in... I think it's OK to toss a few ideas out there and see which ones catch on, or to ask them leading questions when they're heading down an obviously wrong path. It's that fine line between teaching and telling.

[NNadir]

8. Well, I just came back from the four hour meeting, and I think it went pretty well.

A lot came from the kids, an awful lot.

The adult leader did a lot more asking then telling. Veterans of previous competitions, now in their early twenties came back to mentor.

I brought my youngest, who is in elementary school, and they treated him with respect as well.

He was able to offer ideas to the group, some of which may be accepted. My oldest son, a rookie, also was able to offer ideas.

I'm impressed with the process and the give and take.

This is very unlike other things in this community.

[caraher]

9. today's XKCD...