Your statement that 'people are too scared of being called a "nerd" or a "geek"' doesn't really seem to apply at my school. Tons of kids you wouldn't expect to be in 'nerdy' classes are taking them.
I will agree with you that a robotics competition wouldn't go over to well, but neither would the programming fair. The reason most kids look at your ti-84 programming and ask "how do you do that?" is because the programs you are making are most likely ones that solve math proglems or school related work.
Instead of holding a robotics competion, hold a robotics fair. Bring already built robots that can accomplish visual goals (solving a maze, etc). Robots are more physical and will be far more interesting to high school students, especially after iRobot.
Most gamers that I know (all of my friends for example) have homebuilt computers. Someone can build a computer as powerful as a new Dell, HP, or Alienware, but for a fraction of the price. Another benefit of building your own gaming computer is knowing your machine backwards and forwards, meaning less interaction with tech support. It is a very educational experience, and the value of the knowledge gain should not be ignored.
Yet with all these benefits, people are scared to build there own. My homebuilt computer cost $1100 dollars with shipping and everything. The same computer from dell would cost $2300. Even if I messed up on my first try, I still have $1200 dollars to spend on replacing the parts that were messed up. I would gain more knowledge about computers, and still have upwards of $200 left over.
The bragging rights of building your own aren't to be ignored either.
Slashdot Mirror
Your statement that 'people are too scared of being called a "nerd" or a "geek"' doesn't really seem to apply at my school. Tons of kids you wouldn't expect to be in 'nerdy' classes are taking them.
I will agree with you that a robotics competition wouldn't go over to well, but neither would the programming fair. The reason most kids look at your ti-84 programming and ask "how do you do that?" is because the programs you are making are most likely ones that solve math proglems or school related work.
Instead of holding a robotics competion, hold a robotics fair. Bring already built robots that can accomplish visual goals (solving a maze, etc). Robots are more physical and will be far more interesting to high school students, especially after iRobot.
Most gamers that I know (all of my friends for example) have homebuilt computers. Someone can build a computer as powerful as a new Dell, HP, or Alienware, but for a fraction of the price. Another benefit of building your own gaming computer is knowing your machine backwards and forwards, meaning less interaction with tech support. It is a very educational experience, and the value of the knowledge gain should not be ignored. Yet with all these benefits, people are scared to build there own. My homebuilt computer cost $1100 dollars with shipping and everything. The same computer from dell would cost $2300. Even if I messed up on my first try, I still have $1200 dollars to spend on replacing the parts that were messed up. I would gain more knowledge about computers, and still have upwards of $200 left over. The bragging rights of building your own aren't to be ignored either.