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Carol Spaeth-Bauer | In the Meantime
No longer nerds
I spent Saturday with a bunch of nerds. When you say that to this group, they aren't offended, but are instead proud, at least in their own little circle. Jan. 9 marked the kickoff of the FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) 2010 Challenge. It's a unique experience sitting in a room packed with high school students eagerly awaiting the announcement of an event that will suck every second of their free time for the next six weeks.
Some may find the enthusiasm over robots charging around a field amusing. I find it refreshing.
I sat at a meeting last week and listened to three engineers give the pros and cons of roundabouts. In a few years, I could be listening to one of the students who had been among that roomful of nerds.
As a third-year mentor of FRC, I know the capability of these individuals who willingly admit to nerdiness. FIRST celebrates engineering, science and technology, and the students who go through the program come out with skills unmatched anywhere else. Where else do high school students get the opportunity to work side-by-side with engineers, using tools and software found in industry? Where else are students challenged to think on their feet, to meet hard deadlines, budgets and manufacturing specifications? What other program offers graduates $11 million in scholarships?
Students in the Mukwonago program will tell you the 20-plus hours a week they invest in robotics is more than worth the investment. They will tell you things they learn at school become clearer and more interesting when they're designing, building and programming a robot. They will tell you robotics can be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.
I didn't spend Saturday with a bunch of nerds; I spent the day with people who will change the world.
Visit www.usfirst.org or www.team930.org to learn more about FIRST robotics.
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Posted Wednesday, Jan. 25 |
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Photo of the Week by Scott Ash:
MANY HATS - Kathy LaShelle from the Town of Merton tries on a handmade hat from Jo's Feltz at the Delafield Winter Market on Sunday, Jan 15. The market is an indoor farmers market and craft fair located at the Delafield Fish Hatchery on the third Sunday of each month through April.
News or Feature Story of the Week by Joe Trovato: Area school districts jump into WEA lawsuit
Design Layout of the Week by Matt Colby: What a difference a day makes
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- Sussex-Menomonee Falls-Pewaukee Relay For Life Kickoff Event Sunday, February 19th 3:00 PM
- Summerstage "Break-A-Leg Gala"
- Pancakes at the House
- Christ the King To Host Chicago Gospel Choir Concert
- All God’s Children Preschool To Hold Family Open House to Preview 2012-13 School Year
- 3 & 4 Pre-K Open Enrollment at St. John's Mukwonago
- Winterfest Gallery
- Habitat for Humanity Welcome New Board Members
- J&J Construction Lake Country Receives Three Awards in Annual Remodeler Competition
- Hamilton Band Boosters hosts Italian dinner Feb. 15
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