A science center, a residence of discovery, exploration and robotics. A meeting place where schools, students, and cultures come to discuss and exchange strategies and ideas. A mingling of interpretation, skill, competitiveness and ultimately solutions. I am simply quiet, observing from a far as cultures from Israel, China and America smile, shake hands and embrace as they meet each other for the first time. A gathering of like-minded, scientific-minded students whose purpose is to brainstorm and collaborate about robotics. The engagement, generosity, excitement is in the air. The din of hundreds of conversations blend together almost harmoniously, a common goal, a unified frame of mind. It is awe inspiring to see these three vastly different cultures, no politics, no social segregation, no judgement, only science and purpose. Robotics.
The posture, mannerisms, facial expressions are so different. Jovial and outgoing versus restrained and determined. Yet both cultures very happy to be here, after a long travel time, you can sense the jet lag but the conviction to take in every word the hosts are sharing. To tour the facility, to investigate the various robots around the arena. The looks in their eyes fixed and intrepid on learning something new. Students begin to break off, several Israeli students introduce themselves to a few of the local team members. They smile and then begin to show each other their technology, I-pods although slightly different versions. A family from China walks by and the smallest child throws himself on the ground from exhaustion I am sure. Reminding me of my child and about this time of night he would be doing the same thing. A young child's adamant frustration, universal.
It is a feel like any other venue, adults, children, students talking and listening. Yet these vastly unique cultures are more in sync then you would expect. Even with the language barrier they are vigilant of the obstacles of communication and are patient and resilient because the universal language is science and they are speaking science. Purple shirts, orange shirts, green shirts, black shirts the only distinguishing variance among teams. The culture may be different but the passion for science and engineering is a marvel to watch. It takes a while but slowly each group begins to dismantle and begin to weave themselves into smaller groups of the three nationalities, a true cultural mix of teenagers, laughing and getting to know one another. The competition is First Robotics, Worlds Competition here in Houston. Not simply a nationals but a world competition showcasing the innovation and creativity of our local high schools and those around the world. It is not competitive in this room however, but more a meeting of spirit and commonality. A community of engineers and scholars eager to improve, examine and collaborate. The best at what they do, build robots. A night of not only a merging of science and culture but of human curiosity, integrity and ingenuity. Even better, the music throughout the evening, Star Wars soundtrack, both ubiquitous and comforting.
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