Team 461: A Cycle of Influence

Robotics are an integral part of FIRST, but the Chairman's Award is even more important. It is the soul of FIRST, the place for teams to show off their success in spreading the message of science and technology to society at large. It highlights team successes in non-technical areas and also shows teams' growth.

The 2008 Chairman's Award submission focused on the cycle of influence and knowledge.  It emphasized the diversity of our team; personal interactions between team members, college mentors and professional engineers; unique methods of funding; community volunteering and education of FIRST; and outreach within the FIRST community.  The concept that is stressed is when you become part of 461, you never leave.  Members of our first drive team are now professional engineers helping the team.  Another drive team member is now the director of our team within Purdue FIRST.  The influence of all of the experienced alumni help shape what our team is.