FIRST Robotics Core Values

FIRST Robotics

CORE VALUES

What are Core Values?

Discovery

Innovation

Impact

Inclusion

Teamwork

Fun

What to do now?

SOURCES

• “Vision and Mission.” FIRST, 4 Aug. 2021, https://www.firstinspires.org/about/vision-and-mission.

• Jong, Marc de, et al. “The Eight Essentials of Innovation.” McKinsey & Company, 14 Apr. 2021, https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-eight-essentials-of-innovation

• “What Is Impact? Official Definitions of Impact and Its Characteristics.” Youmatter, 21 Jan. 2020, https://youmatter.world/en/definition/impact-definition/.

• “Diversity + Inclusion.” BuiltIn, 2022, https://builtin.com/diversity-inclusion.

• “What Is Diversity & Inclusion?” Global Diversity Practice, 25 Oct. 2019, https://globaldiversitypractice.com/what-is-diversity-inclusion/.

• “What Is Teamwork?” Common Sense Media: Ratings, Reviews, and Advice, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/character-strengths-and-life-skills/what-is-teamwork.

• “10 Simple Benefits of Having Fun.” Minimalism Made Simple, 2 Jan. 2021, https://www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/having-fun/.

DISCOVERY

What is DISCOVERY?

Discovery is exploring new skills and ideas. Good use of discovery is expanding and learning more about discoveries you have made. These don’t necessarily need to be something absolutely new in the world, it can be something you have discovered for yourself that you didn’t know about before.

How do I make DISCOVERIES?

Don’t be scared to try new things. If something seems complicated or intimidating, break it down into smaller things to learn. Whenever you have a question, no matter how insignificant it may seem, expand on it! Look for answers online, ask teachers or look through books. Knowledge is knowledge. Learning is improving yourself. When you have an interest, develop it, act on it! Discovery aids in INNOVATION and developing new ideas.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

Conclusion

Discovery may come naturally without much work, but what is important is acting on those discoveries to make further discoveries and create a positive IMPACT on others.

INNOVATION

What is INNOVATION?

Innovation is applying knowledge from various subjects and topics to a problem and solving/attempting to solve it in an efficient, unique way.

Why is INNOVATION important?

Innovation is moving beyond the problem or instructions and expanding further, thinking outside of the box. If everyone stayed within their comfort zones and simply followed established solutions, DISCOVERIES and development could never be achieved. It is those who step up and propose a different solution and use innovation, who end up being successful and creating a positive IMPACT on others.

“You can’t solve a problem on the same level that it was created. You have to rise above it to the next level.” – Albert Einstein

Conclusion

Innovation should be strived for and worked on. If one idea doesn’t work, figure out what went wrong and improve on that idea. Mistakes are inevitable and aren’t a bad thing. Mistakes help you improve as long as you don’t give up and learn from your mistakes.

IMPACT

What is IMPACT?

Impact refers to positive or negative changes made in people’s lives. Impact can be made intentionally or by accident, directly or indirectly, short-term or long-term.

Why is IMPACT important?

There isn’t much of a purpose to creating projects, inventions or innovating without a result. Although it can be fun to make things, it is an even better feeling when your creation has changed someone else’s life for the better. Small actions like saying thank you or opening the door for someone can create an impact but more powerful actions such as developing a program or technology to aid those who have disabilities, creates a much bigger impact that is longer lasting and affects more people. Of course, these larger scaled impacts can’t be made every day, but when coming up with ideas its good to think of possible ways to create a positive impact or avoid a negative impact, impacts don’t have to be on people either, environmental impacts are highly important as well.

“Genius is in the idea. Impact, however, comes from action.” – Simon Sinek

Conclusion

Impact, both positive and negative, should be at least thought about when coming up with ideas or making a decision. Doing everything for yourself won’t give any results and eventually, you’ll get stuck with nothing left to do.

INCLUSION

What is INCLUSION?

Inclusion is the practice and effort of providing everyone with equal opportunities and resources. Inclusive environments make people feel respected and valued for who they are as an individual. Inclusion allows everyone to provide their ideas and input.

Why is INCLUSION important?

Implementing and practicing inclusion in teams not only makes everyone included and heard but also allows for more perspectives to be accounted for to create more complex suitable solutions. Team members should work together and all contribute to the task at hand. When you see someone being left out or doesn’t seem to understand a concept, reach out and talk to them. Even when someone may not be able to grasp an idea, they are still valuable to the team. Many ideas can be brainstormed without a high level of knowledge on a topic. Furthermore, teamwork will help everyone learn from each other.

“What divides us pales in comparison to what unites us.” – Edward Kennedy

Conclusion

Inclusion is an important value to keep in mind during group work. Things will get done more efficiently and with higher quality, if everyone contributes.

TEAMWORK

What is TEAMWORK?

Teamwork is working respectfully and effectively with a group and contributing your part. Teamwork isn’t just working in a team, it is efficiently working together with INCLUSION, sharing a common goal and looking to achieve that goal.

Why is TEAMWORK important?

Teamwork is required for success. Multiple people all inputting their separate ideas will always be better than one person trying to come up with all the ideas. Teamwork helps make tasks occur quicker without sacrificing quality. Communication is crucial in teamwork, when you don’t understand something or have an idea, speak up! On the other hand, help others who have questions or are struggling, always keep INCLUSION in mind. If you ever notice someone struggling with the same problem or want to create something that you are also interested in, talk to them and suggest forming a team.

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” – Henry Ford

Conclusion

Teamwork is not just working with other people; it is being able to use the number of people to your advantage: utilizing everyone’s strengths and helping others with their weaknesses.

FUN

What is FUN?

Fun is enjoying what you are working on and who you are working with. Fun is subjective but, applying all the core values helps everyone achieve it.

Why is having FUN important?

Having fun while working on a project makes it an enjoyable experience that people look forwards to instead of dreading. With everyone wanting to be there and willing to commit, the work getting done is of higher quality and can be finished quicker with less time spent procrastinating. Enjoying what you are doing also boosts creativity, energy and productivity with the task. There is no point in forcing yourself to commit to a big responsibility if you do not enjoy it. However, it is important to note that although something may appear to be something you will dislike, trying it out for at least a little bit of time, may change your mind. Fun as a core value doesn’t mean you can decline everything you don’t want to do, there are always going to be some tasks that are repetitive or seem boring but the majority of your time should be spent having fun. Even when completing a gruelling task, you can always talk to a friend to pass time and enjoy the moment.

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.” – Andy Rooney

Conclusion

Having fun with the project/task you are working on improves your mental state, productivity and quality. Don’t always force yourself to do something because you are afraid to say no to a task designation, it’s okay to sometimes decline assignments, especially in group work where everyone is working collaboratively.