09
Brighter Future in spite of Us
Categories: Futuring, mentoring, Transformations
I just returned home from spending the day with our youngest son attending the NASA broadcast of the launch of the 2010 F.I.R.S.T. robotics competition and the subsequent “initial strategy” meeting his high school team held to get started with this 6 week challenge.
I walked away more impressed than ever with the future of our world.
Without getting too deep into the logistics of what the FIRST initiative stands for [For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology], I can tell you that it has far more impact in changing lives than ANY other activity I’ve witnessed to date.
Although centered around building robots for competition, it is more about building people for challenges.
Watching the transformation of young peoples lives is more than fascinating, it is contagious and I would encourage EVERY person I know to go see for themselves what is taking place in these high schools around the world.
Nothing is more relevant to the challenges we face. One guiding tenet of the FIRST experience is centered around something they term “Gracious Professionalism”.
I wish every executive or business colleague could re-enlist in high school for such valuable education.
Just for kicks, watch the animation that explains what these kids (grades 9-12) have the next 42 days to build. This is in their “spare time”. While it includes a competitive drive, a thirst for knowledge and the thrill of contributing to something cool, the real benefits come from living through the intense and demanding schedule rarely experienced at a high school level.
As a professional (not in a science or engineering role) I have found nothing more worthy of recommending other adults volunteer their time in mentoring young people. Take time to attend one of the local competitions. Check out the details at www.usfirst.org
Next Deadline: 1/16/10
