Dubbed as the “football for nerds”, the recognition of FIRST Robotics has increasingly been expanding. It is thanks to the efforts of Dean Kamen, FIRST coordinators, and school teams from all over the world that the acknowledgement of FIRST Robotics has been increasing. Dean Karmen’s vision of seeing young students turn their focus away from the negatively of the world and place it towards exploring math and science is constantly unraveling. For many students, FIRST acts as a program in which they can explore possible careers in math and science fields. For many of the Team 812 students, FIRST represents the hope of moving pass the economic struggles and moving into a world were college is not a possibility, but reality. The interpretation of the FIRST program is something personal, and there is a long list to prove that. You can call it a “robot competition,” “a tool for the future,” “a relationship builder” or “a creative release.” But, the truth is that FIRST is all of that rolled into one. Team 812 aspires to add “a robotics dating service” to list. The Midnight Affair is Team 812’s effort in establishing a “robotics dating service” to match individuals, schools, and teams with existing FIRST teams in San Diego. The “dating service” also helps in facilitating the starting of new teams, while bringing the San Diego FIRST community together. The Midnight Affair is structured like a dating service in which teams will be matched up based on their location. Whether it be a team needing extra drills or help on writing their Chairman’s Submission, each team in San Diego will be reassured that they have the help of another San Diego FIRST team to help them through the season.
