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The New Cool: A Visionary Teacher, His FIRST Robotics Team, and the Ultimate Battle of Smarts Hardcover – March 1, 2011

by Neal Bascomb (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
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That Monday afternoon, in high-school gyms across America, kids were battling for the only glory American culture seems to want to dispense to the young these days: sports glory.  But at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California, in a gear-cluttered classroom, a different type of “cool” was brewing.  A physics teacher with a dream – the first public high-school teacher ever to win a MacArthur Genius Award -- had rounded up a band of high-I.Q. students who wanted to put their technical know-how to work.  If you asked these brainiacs what the stakes were that first week of their project, they’d have told you it was all about winning a robotics competition – building the ultimate robot and prevailing in a machine-to-machine contest in front of 25,000 screaming fans at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
 
But for their mentor, Amir Abo-Shaeer, much more hung in the balance.
 
The fact was, Amir had in mind a different vision for education, one based not on rote learning -- on absorbing facts and figures -- but on active creation.  In his mind’s eye, he saw an even more robust academy within Dos Pueblos that would make science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) cool again, and he knew he was poised on the edge of making that dream a reality.  All he needed to get the necessary funding was one flashy win – a triumph that would firmly put his Engineering Academy at Dos Pueblos on the map.  He imagined that one day there would be a nation filled with such academies, and a new popular veneration for STEM – a “new cool” – that would return America to its former innovative glory.
 
It was a dream shared by Dean Kamen, a modern-day inventing wizard – often-called “the Edison of his time” – who’d concocted the very same FIRST Robotics Competition that had lured the kids at Dos Pueblos.  Kamen had created FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) nearly twenty years prior.  And now, with a participant alumni base approaching a million strong, he felt that awareness was about to hit critical mass. 
 
But before the Dos Pueblos D’Penguineers could do their part in bringing a new cool to America, they’d have to vanquish an intimidating lineup of “super-teams”– high-school technology goliaths that hailed from engineering hot spots such as Silicon Valley, Massachusetts’ Route 128 technology corridor, and Michigan’s auto-design belt.  Some of these teams were so good that winning wasn’t just hoped for every year, it was expected.
 
In The New Cool, Neal Bascomb manages to make even those who know little about – or are vaguely suspicious of – technology care passionately about a team of kids questing after a different kind of glory.  In these kids’ heartaches and headaches – and yes, high-five triumphs -- we glimpse the path not just to a new way of educating our youth but of honoring the crucial skills a society needs to prosper.  A new cool.

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  1. Print length
    337 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Crown Publishers
  4. Publication date
    March 1, 2011
  5. Dimensions
    6.42 x 1.18 x 9.52 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0307588890
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0307588890
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
57 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe the story as exciting and suspenseful, capturing the excitement and challenges of a hard-working high school robotics team. The book provides educational value and insight into the robotics build season, with great research that documents events and captures the atmosphere.

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17 customers mention "Readability"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's a must-read for parents and adults who have children. The writing is well-crafted and conveys the message effectively.

"...of robotics should too....It's a definitely well put together...Good book...." Read more

"...well as trying to bring the over view of FIRST is not easy, the book reads easily and I feel it gives the message those of us that work with FRC,..." Read more

"...Also this book, for what I have read, has been very well written and I can see it being a good read for those that do not know what FIRST is about..." Read more

"...When I force myself to pick it up, it is usually pretty entertaining. I havelearned about open and closed loops." Read more

15 customers mention "Story quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's story quality. They find it captures the excitement and challenges of hard-working high school robotics teams. The author does an excellent job recreating the atmosphere of the build season and competitions. The book is inspiring and motivating for FIRST Robotics Teams.

"...Professionalism that Dean Kamen spoke of, but also best vividly captures all experience of every team out there...." Read more

"Well researched and written, really captures the atmosphere, which I experienced firsthand as a parent...." Read more

"...Neal Bascomb really made the story come to life and made me truly care about the progress of the students and their mentors as they went through..." Read more

"Loved this book. Tense and exciting...." Read more

6 customers mention "Education value"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and educational. They appreciate the well-researched and written story that captures the robotics build season. The book is described as suspenseful, enjoyable, and informative.

"...It gives stories of the students, Amir (the coach), and Dean Kamen (Creator of first and I love that guy)...." Read more

"Well researched and written, really captures the atmosphere, which I experienced firsthand as a parent...." Read more

"...all of Neal Bascomb's books, he makes the story alive, suspenseful, educational, and ultimately very enjoyable." Read more

"...a member of FIRST Robotics Team 20, and I found this book to be very insightful on the robotics build season, from both an insider's perspective as..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kevin M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars "The New Cool" by Neal Bascomb (Review by Kevin M.)
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I would like the begin this review by giving some background on myself and how it will affect the review and impact this story have. I was a participant of FIRST robotics and now somewhat of a mentor. This book takes place in the 2009 Lunacy competition, which I have competed in. With that state keep in mind that there will personal opinion and experience that will skew some of my thoughts.

    Back story

    As I stated above, the story takes place in 2009 Lunacy competition. It is about 3 teams, but mainly focus around the California team of Team 1717, D' Penguineers. It does not only focus on build season and the competition. It gives stories of the students, Amir (the coach), and Dean Kamen (Creator of first and I love that guy). This background story is introduce in the beginning of the story and so is the 2009 Lunacy game, though I believe that if you just watch the Youtube video it would be better.

    Characters..I mean people

    They may seem like characters, but they are actually people. In fact they exactly capture the diversity of a Robotics teams. There is Gabe Rives-Corbet, a Tae kwondo champion and also the team's programmer, then Turk, the very skill shooter, and many more. Bascomb have a nice list and description of these kids and you'll learn to love them throughout the story.

    Now I can relate to that, because the team I was on was like that. I was a programmer who is into martial art and animations, then a very lovable, devious electrician, Carlton. There were many unique "characters" on my team as well, so those who aren't familiar with the robotics team or think these people aren't real or over exaggerated, just don't be so ignorant.

    Immersion

    This is where my history gets in the way. At first it, the story is very compelling...well casual. I know the game, so the explanation of the was not a big deal for me and the story had a nice flow to it. There were speed bumps for me, because of several factor:

    1) Mentors

    2) Tools

    Let me explain why the Mentors gets me. My team basically have no mentors, we only had our coach and then graduates will drop in once in awhile, but they are no profession like Team 1717's Stan who was in the industry (programming). This annoyed me a little, but it was more like "Damn..lucky" then I got over it.

    Tools...they did have better equipment than us and when it got to the point where they decided to build TWO robots that just got me...my team barely can make one robot, we have to recycled spare parts from our last year robot.

    BUT because of this emotion that arise from this, this mean the book is doing its job to tell its story.

    After I suck it in and continue reading, that's when it happened. I felt their pain and struggle as they struggled in Regional and then National. A constant question in my head was, "Why this team?"

    This team not only show the Gracious Professionalism that Dean Kamen spoke of, but also best vividly captures all experience of every team out there. They help rookie teams, they make their own parts (for the most part), they figure out what's wrong with their robot- They even kick out a mentor that wasn't allowing them to work on the robot...their robot break down and they work fast and hard to solve these problems. They fought a plague and many more.... They faced both high-end and low-end team... it's pretty amazing.

    There are short chapters about the other two teams and their struggle, which are really good break from Team 1717 story, but you need to pay attention on who's story it is.

    Final Thoughts

    Would I recommend this book? Of course. "The New Cool" really is a miss leading titled, but I can't think of anything else to describe FIRST Robotics. It's miss leading, because you expect someone preaching how cool this is and etc..but that's the thing...it's cool because of the struggle and the experience these kids-us kids face in and out competition. Coaches should read it, students, people outside of robotics should too....It's a definitely well put together...Good book.

    I won't remember all the details of the book, but I will remember that fact the book capture the FIRST experience...well that's just the beginning..to truly experience FIRST you need to see it yourself. Encourage your school to pick it up and go to competitions..That's all I have to say.

    [Not proof read]
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  • Mark Twain
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book that attempts to explain what I do
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I've been a FIRST FRC mentor for 13 years, and I have never doubted why I do it. Trying to explain what I do to the outside world is next to impossible. Mr Bascomb has managed to put into words in a story what many of us live each year.

    Bringing in the student perspective as well as trying to bring the over view of FIRST is not easy, the book reads easily and I feel it gives the message those of us that work with FRC, FTC and FLL try to show our students.

    I urge anyone who is concerned about where the students of today are going to wind up to find a FRC regional (start at usfirst.org) and see what these students are doing. Walk the pits, Talk to the teams, ask about the design process, how the team is managed, how it's funded. I know you will come away with a small portion of what I feel every week when I work with my team.

    However a cautionary comment on those that see FIRST as the new best way to educate students. It's not about education, that's what schools do, it's about inspiring students to care about their future, to see a profession that is in demand, fulfilling and of use to society.

    BTW the book makes a great gift for student leaders on a team as well as for teams that have become friends of your team ( that's my plan anyway)

    Read this book, then find some FIRST events to attend. You will start to understand.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • John Robertson
    4.0 out of 5 stars this book gives a great look into the life...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Working for a FRC team for going on for years now. I think this book really captures what it's like to be a part of a struggle that leads to the creation of a robot and then taking it on into the competitions. I recommend reading this book either just getting started as a mentor without FRC experience or if you're a parent who's child is getting involved with this. One really great touch with the author put into this book was the ending story. Many times I've seen kids that thought they were done with robot or anything to do with a robot at end of the season. It's always a real pleasure from the coaching or mentor perspective to see them discover something they didn't even know was there and to follow that passion.
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  • Chris S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book both for those involved with FIRST and those who don't know what it is!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    FIRST I would like to say this is the first leisure book I have read since being at college for a year and a half and it is nice and relaxing to do so.

    Also this book, for what I have read, has been very well written and I can see it being a good read for those that do not know what FIRST is about but also makes a connection to those who have been involved with FIRST. What I like about this book even more is that it goes over the 2009 season which was also my senior year in high school and my last year of involvement as a student in FRC.

    I have not wanted to set it down but I have had to to get some sleep and to read the other not so fun books for my classes.

    If you haven't gotten it yet, GET IT! Granted I don't know how it ends but if its at all like the beginning it will be a great read and end fantastic with you jumping out of your seat thinking that you just were involved with what the book is all about.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • シモジー
    5.0 out of 5 stars ぼくたちのロボット　（新しい時代のクールな潮流をつくる先生と生徒たち）
    Reviewed in Japan on March 5, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    一般にロボットといえば理工系に興味をもたれるものだが、本書は文科系の人間でも、思わず引き込まれ、最後まで一気に読み通してしまう内容だ。流れるようなストーリー展開に、主人公アミールと生徒たちの苦闘と歓喜が入り混じり、ロボットという機械を相手にする人間ドラマが読者の共感をいやがうえにも高揚させる。最後までドキドキしながら読んでしまう。
    　本書の目的は、エンジニアと科学者の新世代を鼓舞することにある。しかし、そのことを読者に高飛車に訴えるのではなく、読者に楽しみながら無意識のうちに感得させる物語だ。米国の新しい文化の潮流を見るようである。

    　日本でも、ロボコンはテレビなどを通して一般にも知られるようになっている。しかし、他の娯楽と比べて、まだまだ関心が低いのではないか。野球にしろ、サッカーにしろ、試合そのものを楽しむだけでなく、選手の日ごろの訓練や個人生活にいたるまで話題になっているが、ロボコンはそこまで行っていない。本書はロボット製作の苦労から大会での活躍まで、アミール先生と生徒たちの生きざまをつぶさに示してくれる。
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