Even though we are one team, we are made up of numerous individuals. Individuals who have worked with the mill so many times, they can saw with it blindfolded (note: that was a meant to be a joke, ALWAYS use safety goggles when working with dangerous equipment!) and individuals who are just starting to learn the concepts. We all have opinions no matter who we are, including opinions about what FIRST means to us. Here are some short articles from a few members on our team, explaining what FIRST means to us.

But first! What is a FIRSTer?

FIRSTer is a term we made up to define a member of a robotics team. A member that not only works for his/her fellow team mates but for the rest of the world in spreading the knowledge and meaning of FIRST. We classify teams that work hard not only on the game field but also in the community FIRSTers. FIRSTers show a strong love for the work they do and that love influences them to do extraordinary things.

Troy's Story

My name is Troy Weber. Last year in high school, I was in Vanden's Robotics Class/Club, which is how I became involved in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). I was only in this Robotics Class my senior year because the previous three years had been packed with other electives that I falsely deemed more important.

Nevertheless, one year of Robotics was enough to impact all of my future decisions. One of the most exciting moments in that class was when the Inventor Model of our Robot for the 2009 FRC (into which I and a couple other students invested many hours) was selected as one of the top five national entries in the 2009 Inventor Design Competition. The Vex Competition that Vanden hosted in late 2008 and the occasional tastes I received of electrical, programming, and manufacturing work are also among the most valued moments I experienced that year.

Now I reside in the dorms at California Polytechnic State University studying in my second quarter. My major is Civil Engineering, but by the end of my third quarter I should be able to officially switch to Mechanical Engineering, especially if I can maintain my 3.771 Cal Poly GPA. From there, I hope to later go into the field of Mechatronics and pursue a career in Robotics.

I am also involved in the Robotics Club here at Cal Poly. I did not become involved in any projects my first quarter, but this quarter the Club President selected me to be in charge of our newly established CL Smith Robotics Program. Every Tuesday, three Robotics college students and myself team up with an adult mentor and go to CL Smith Elementary, San Luis Obispo, to teach a selected group of 4th-6th graders about Robotics using Lego Mindstorm kits. My hopes for this program are that in future years this CL Smith Program may become involved in FIRST Lego Competitions.

Other than remaining involved in the Cal Poly Robotics Club, I intend to help mentor a high school FRC team next year when I have a car with me. I would also like to attract some of the other Robotics Club members to join me in mentoring local high school teams (such as those in Atascedero or Arroyo Grande), or even in starting one here at San Luis Obispo's high school (if there is not a team already).

Before I was involved in FIRST Robotics, I thought I was going to pursue a career in Civil Engineering, or even Architecture at the least. Now I know I won't be as content in any career as I will be in Robotics. So, if your question is whether or not FIRST has impacted me, I would say, yes. Yes it has. None of the accomplishments I previously mentioned would have occurred as recently as they have if I had not been involved in FIRST for even that one measly year. This is why I intend to be an active supporter of FIRST for the remainder of my life.

As written: Jan 2010, Troy Weber, Currently: 2009 Alumni

My FIRST Story

For me personally, FIRST has molded the things I enjoy into a career opportunity. It began when I was preparing to go to middle school. I was taking a Lego robotics program over the summer because I enjoyed playing with Legos. The program was fun and we built very simple robots and programmed them by following directions and using a very simple interface. At the end of the summer, the robotics team from Vanden came down and demonstrated their robot from that year.

I was amazed as they hung such a large robot from such a small basketball hoop at our school. They explained how everything worked and it seemed extremely complicated at the time. Intrigued, I had to learn more, so I joined the GATE Lego program at the middle school to continue learning about these amazing robots and eventually I had the opportunity to come to the high school and join in the robotics team. I dove right in.

Build Season came and I spent night after night learning about tools, computers, electronics, gear ratios, and so much more. It was amazing to me. My second year I stepped in to do the electronics for our team with the senior who did it before me graduating. I started to teach others and learn more with every passing month about everything. My third year I stepped into the newly created position of Engineering Director, I was given the opportunity to lead all parts of our team. I made sure deadlines were met and ordered parts. I had to make sure everything was going smoothly so we could finish on time. This final year I’ve taken on the opportunity to teach what I’ve learned over all these years to younger students.

The competitions from all over the country, the information I‘ve received, the concepts I’ve learned, and just the experience of all that which FIRST provides has shaped my life, and convinced me that I want to become an electrical engineer more than anything else. FIRST is amazing. The spirit of the competition, the speed of the robots, the feelings of accomplishment when those lights flash on, that code compiles, or those wheels and mechanisms work just as you designed them to, is out of this world. It’s beyond the feeling any traditional sport or club can bring because it unites so much: the intense deadlines, friendliness of everyone involved, and the nearly limitless knowledge of the participants, and mentors.  I want nothing more than to see someone inspired by this technology and this atmosphere, and use that inspiration to change the world and benefit everyone.

As written: January 2010, Steven Sigley, Currently: 4-Year Member

FIRST, Not Just an Acronym

To describe FIRST in one word would definitely be challenging. You could be literal and say it as it is, "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology", but how would that describe how you FIRST really means to you?

To us, FIRST has been a creative outlet for students interested in learning about engineering and

technology. It has brought students together to work as a team to complete a challenging task. But that's not all what FIRST is about.

As a rookie member, being at a regional was really exciting. The challenges that we faced and the anxiety that we had was truly an unforgetable experience. Being part of something this amazing can be difficult to describe to someone who has not participated in such an event.

Engineering and Science is brought to students in such an entertaining way, it's hard not to pay attention in class! FIRST has not only helped us on the field, but off the field. We spread knowledge to others in the community about the importance of engineering and science. Most of our sponsors have helped us because of the message FIRST brings. Participating in FIRST has helped students do well in school and beyond. Many of our alumni have been influenced by FIRST, and further their studies in Engineering and other sciences.

In conclusion, FIRST is an innovation for the future. As the future leaders of tommorow, it is important to strive for advancing technology and keep moving forward. FIRST is absolutely on top of that...

As written: May 2007, Priya Rangan, Currently: 4-Year Member

What does FIRST mean to me?

When I first joined the robotics team in 2006, I had done it to go for scholarships. I thought it was just a joke, but I played along anyway. It wasn't until we started building an actual robot that I began to find interest in how it works. Then we went to the competiton and I found hundreds of teams, all with working robots and teams of people working on wires, typing on laptops, screaming and waving and cheering as they watched the robots play for points. I felt exactly the same when our robot was down there and watch it win match after match.

The scholarships went completely out of my head and it all made sense to me. FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, had nothing to do with getting money. It meant that working with the people, who helped support and create their machines, had worked together with smiles and helping hands and helpful thoughts. For the next two years, I kept this new meaning of FIRST in my head as much as possible, never forgetting to keep a positive face towards friends and strangers and helping whenever I could.

As written: January 2008, Ian Dickerson, Currently: 2009 Alumni

What FIRST Means to Me? 

 I joined the team in 2006 to take advantage of the scholarship opportunities. I also used it to waste time while I waited for my ride after school. But as I really got into the program, I learned that that it was about more than wasting time. The FIRST program presented an opportunity to experience life as it will eventually be: hard working, close deadlines, team members you will love or hate but have to get along with regardless.

And while the idea of scholarships is always present in my mind, it’s no longer the thing that drives me to participate in the program. I enjoy all the things I’m doing in the program: learning how to put together transmissions, how to do electrical, and how to put all this to use in the creation of a robot. The program also led me to find a new breed of human beings: ones that are nice, helpful, and friendly even if you are their number one competitor (Gracious Professionalism, anyone?). While I really don’t plan on taking this interest far past high school, it’s something I love doing as a side hobby.

As written: January 2008, Eric Smith, Currently: 2009 Alumni