This is the fourth regional my son has taken part in with FIRST Robotics. I cannot believe this is his final year with the team, since he is a senior now. Looking back, I'm so very thankful that FIRST has been part of his life. I cannot thank the mentors enough who show up week after week, night after night in build season, to help work with my son and the team to expose them to STEM.
I remember when we first went to check out robotics. He kept saying how he is not a hardware guy. He is only interested in software. Thankfully, one of the other team member's mother kept encouraging him to go check it out anyway. She insisted that they needed all forms of talent. So, we did. Honestly, I was a bit surprised that he carried through with actually visiting. But, I assured him that all he had to do was check it out. If he hated it, he wouldn't have to return. I remember leaving that night, and one of the mentor's so kindly showed us around the place and explained how things worked and what we would be expected to do if we chose to join.
I also remember leaving that night and my son describing it as his Big Hero 6 moment when Hiro walked into the technology lab.
He had found his people!
We continued on finding his place with the team. He started working with the software to program the robot and the autonomous mode, but quickly discovered he really didn't like working with Labview (probably spelling it wrong) which is more of a drag and drop type program. He much prefers C# where he is actually writing the code.
And, that first year at regionals, I had no idea what was going on.
The following year, he found his place with helping with coding the scouting program. And, it was this year when they were actually finalists at regionals, and I finally figured out how things worked.
Now, in year 4 - his final robotics year - I understand how the competitions work. What I love about them is that they are not all about a winner or a loser. They aren't even all about the robot. There is so much more to robotics that is really difficult to explain if you've never been exposed to FIRST. It's amazing with terms and concepts like coopertition, and an atmostphere that always leaves me knowing I've been in the prescence of the youth who will one day change the world for the better.
This year - he really contributed to the team by writing an android app for the scouting program. He had a little help from other team members, but really for many months it was just him doing the work. Once he figured out that bluetooth connectivity, it was time to celebrate! I really wish the team would have been honored with an award for all of his hard work, but that may be my only regret. We know what his hard work accomplished, and it's going to look great on his resume'. LOL.
Thank you, FIRST! Thank you, mentors of 1094 Channel Cats River City Robotics! Thank you mom of the team member who encouraged my son to check it out! It has been nothing but a positive experience for us!
Farewell FIRST! Thanks for being part of my son's high school education!
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