FIRST Robotics and STEM Outreach
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Cross-Program FIRST Volunteer
For years I have volunteered as a technical judge at qualifying events and championships for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition and FIRST LEGO League programs. I served on the Connecticut FIRST Regional Planning Committee from 2008 through 2013, overseeing Event Speakers and VIP Management. During this time I also served as the Program Manager of the Connecticut FIRST Alumni Network.
I participated as an opening speaker at the New England FIRST Springfield District Event competition and ran a workshop on innovative robot design for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams at New England FIRST University Day. This past year, I helped review the FIRST STEM Equity Community Innovation Grants, found contacts in and registered countries for the 2018 FIRST Global Challenge, and volunteered as a judge at the event, held in Mexico City, Mexico.
FIRST Robotics Competition Team Mentor
I mentored and coached three high school FRC teams, teaching students leadership skills, engineering principles, fabrication methods, and strategy to design and build competitive robots. I managed all aspects of team administration, including robot design and construction, resource and budget management, outreach and promotion, travel and logistics, and mentor recruiting.
I also participated as a student on FRC Team 236, the Techno Ticks. I partially attribute the shaping of my education and career choices to the experience I gained as a student robotics team member, and now volunteer for FIRST and other STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) outreach programs in the hopes of providing similar opportunities to others.
“I can confidently say that you were one of the most influential people to my high school career. When you came to our team, none of us had any idea what we were doing and yet you picked up the pieces and believed in us.... I remember when you sat Freshman Jacky down to tell me that you wanted me to be field coach because you saw potential in me. At the time, I honestly didn’t even know what it meant to be coach, but four years later, I can wholeheartedly say that if you had not seen that potential in me when I was a freshman, I would not be who I am today.”
STEM Speaking Engagements
I have participated in various speaking engagements to encourage STEM education, careers in technology, and diversity in engineering, including the Women in STEM Panel and Workshop at the 2018 FIRST Championship in Detroit and the biennial FIRST Women in Science and Technology Forums.
“I’d like to thank you for speaking at last week’s FIRST Women in Science and Technology Forum. ... All seemed extremely enthusiastic and engaged and you deserve much of the credit for that! Thank you so much for giving [the students] your time, energy and expertise and thank you for supporting FIRST as we support them.”
FIRST Robots: Behind the Design Books
I am the co-author of three books on robot design under a series titled FIRST® Robots: Behind the Design. Each book features top-performing robots from the FIRST Robotics Competition, which partners youth and mentors to design and construct robots for exciting sports-like competition. The annual event draws leading robot designers who compete, cooperate, and experience the rewards of engineering and science. The 2017 campaign spanned the globe and included 3,400 teams, engaging more than 85,000 high school students.
Each Behind the Design book was written at the request of Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST. The three books, published in 2007, 2008, and 2015, highlight the design, manufacture, and control of robots competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition. FRC teams document the design process throughout the six weeks they are given to build their robots, beginning with the game reveal at the Kickoff in January. At the conclusion of the competition season, teams submit images, design files, and narratives to be considered for inclusion in the book. The featured teams are selected based on the content and quality of the submitted materials.
New England FIRST Ambassador
I have acted as the New England FIRST ambassador to General Dynamics Electric Boat, soliciting financial support for local robotics competitions, event speakers, advocating for recognition of volunteers through appreciation events, and writing articles for the company newspaper. In this capacity I also coordinated high school robotics team demonstrations at Electric Boat to introduce and pair employee mentors with local schools and educational programs.
Diversity/Careers in Engineering and Information Technology
The story of my education, career path, and experience becoming an engineer was featured in two Diversity/Careers in Engineering and Information Technology magazines. The articles address the current job market for newly graduated engineers working in government, aerospace, and defense agencies.
Job Market – Government and Defense Are on the Offensive Despite Economic Turbulence (Winter 2009/Spring 2010)
Changing Technologies – Aerospace and Defense: Guarding the People in Uniform and the People They Protect (April/May 2012)
What is FIRST?
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen to inspire young people to participate in science and technology. The organization has designed a variety of accessible, innovative programs for students that build not only science and technology know-how, but also self-confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills.