| Page 81 | FIRST

Kenny Bae, FIRST coach and physics teacher for Wolcott School, a Chicago school that supports students with learning differences, shares how his students’ strengths have helped them succeed in FIRST, create innovative projects to make STEM more accessible, and build self-confidence.

2019 Jun 10

FIRST Alum Spotlight: Nicole Martindale

Jun 10, 2019 Written by Nicole Martindale, FIRST Alum

FIRST has helped me in so many ways, allowing me to explore different paths in high school, mentor a team as a current college student, and find internships.

INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

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FIRST helped me land a high-tech internship

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Nicole Martindale

FIRST Alum, Volunteer & Mentor

FIRST Alum Nicole Martindale participated in FIRST Robotics Competition Team 3647 Millennium Falcons in San Diego, California, also home to the headquarters of FIRST Strategic Partner Qualcomm. Through FIRST, Nicole received a scholarship from Qualcomm to attend a computer science conference. She’s studying to be a software engineer and is about to start an internship at Qualcomm. “FIRST has helped me in so many ways, allowing me to explore different paths in high school, mentor a team as a current college student, and find internships,” says Nicole.

What did you do after becoming a FIRST Alum?
After becoming a FIRST alum, I started college at the University of California, San Diego. I am a computer science major and will graduate in 2021. I plan to go to graduate school following my undergraduate BS in computer science and will eventually work as a software engineer. This upcoming summer, I will be working as a software engineer intern for FIRST Strategic Partner, Qualcomm!

What advice would you have for current FIRST participants?
I would encourage current participants to continue being involved after high school. Mentor your FIRST Robotics Competition team or find a local team to mentor. Also, consider volunteering for FIRST competitions nearby. FIRST is such a widespread and supportive community, and I think staying involved as an alum is super important.

How has FIRST helped you with your future goals?
As a FIRST alum, I received a scholarship through Qualcomm to attend the 2018 Grace Hopper Conference. FIRST has helped me in so many ways, allowing me to explore different paths in high school, mentor a team as a current college student, and find internships!

You shared that you’ve made and kept great FIRST friends/established a great network within the FIRST community – any advice to current participants on how to do that?
I have stayed involved as a mentor for my high school FIRST Robotics Competition team and volunteer for local FIRST Robotics Competitions. I volunteered as a team queuer at the San Diego Regional FIRST Robotics Competition and it was one of the best experiences ever! I got to meet so many other FIRST alumni as well as interact with the teams there.

What is your favorite FIRST related memory?
My favorite FIRST related memory is from last year's San Diego Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. I volunteered as a team queuer, and it was super exciting to see the competition from the point of view of a volunteer/FIRST alumni. Not only did I get to interact with all the teams, but I also got to meet other FIRST alumni and talk about our experiences in FIRST. Seeing how many volunteers are needed to make the competition run smoothly made me realize how much of an impact FIRST has on people!

Visit firstinspires.org/alumni for more FIRST Alumni spotlights. Share your story for a chance to be featured.

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INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

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High school robotics team innovates to help the U.S. Air Force

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Knob Noster High School

FIRST^® Robotics Competition Team 6424 “Stealth Panther Robotics,” Knob Noster, Missouri

"My brother is a pilot for the U.S. Army, and his safety is always a concern of mine. When this opportunity to ensure the safety of another pilot arose, I was glad to have all the tools and knowledge I learned from my FIRST team to help provide peace of mind to [pilots’] families." - Jenna Moreland, FIRST^® Robotics Competition Participant

In late 2018, the U.S. Air Force needed an immediate solution to a reoccurring safety issue affecting their flagship B-2 Bomber: In a cramped cockpit, pilots or hardware could inadvertently engage switches and cut power from the engines, forcing an emergency landing. When tasked with finding a solution to the problem, Brigadier General Jon Nichols, Commander of the 509^th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, used his community ties to the Knob Noster school district to enlist the help of FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6424 “Stealth Panther Robotics” to solve the very technical, complex, and real-world problem.

The team hit the ground running. In the first 72 hours, they rapidly designed, 3-D printed, and tested multiple prototypes. The team met with Whiteman Air Force Base leadership and personnel and then integrated the feedback into the final prototype. Their solution, a protective covering for the switch panel, allows Air Force pilots to operate with certainty that the switches will not be engaged inflight – all at a cost of $1.25 per unit. Once their design was approved, the team shifted to rapid production, running their 3-D printer nonstop for three weeks to manufacture protective covers for every B-2 Bomber and training simulator.

The project created an immense sense of pride and purpose in the team members. “I was really happy to know I would have a hand in something that would affect something much larger than myself," said high school student Gabe Gish. The project allowed the team to apply the skills they developed in FIRST^® – critical problem solving and manufacturing in a condensed and expedited timeline – to create meaningful change. “FIRST truly came to life for our students through this remarkable opportunity and partnership,” said head coach Chris Adams. “This is exactly what FIRST prepares our students to do … and do well!”

Stealth Panther Robotics proudly remains on standby for their next partnership or mission with Whiteman Air Force Base.

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2019 May 29

FIRST Selected to Strengthen National K-12 STEM Education and Outreach

$75M Department of Defense initiative will fund more than a dozen organizations

2019 May 21

Registration Open

May 21, 2019 Written by Frank Merrick.

Registration for the 2020 Season, INFINITE RECHARGE^SM is now open! Get your team ready today! And don't forget that Stop Build Day has been retired.

2019 May 14

Kendrick Castillo and Team 4418 Update

May 14, 2019 By Donald E. Bossi, FIRST President

Dear FIRST community,

The tragic death of Kendrick Castillo during the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting in Colorado last week has continued to weigh heavily on my mind and many others in our FIRST community. Kendrick was an active member of FIRST Robotics Competition Team 4418, STEM IMPULSE. Read more here.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Team Awarded $20,000 Prize to Help Make Space More Accessible to Women

INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

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FIRST helped me land a high-tech internship

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Nicole Martindale

INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

Featured Image

Display Title

High school robotics team innovates to help the U.S. Air Force

Sub Title

Knob Noster High School

$75M Department of Defense initiative will fund more than a dozen organizations

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