I am incredibly interested in robotics, and I am dedicated to helping other kids explore my favorite field, develop the real-world problem-solving skills that have driven much of my life, and learn how to work as a team, starting in the same place my passion for robotics did: FIRST LEGO League (FLL). I have mentored the team NextLevel Robotics for the last three years, and have watched them grow from being uncomfortable with each other to effortless collaborators. Over those three years, I taught them how to identify problems that truly needed solving, such as tyre dust pollution in waterways, and create an innovative solution for it, like the microbial treatment they identified for that specific problem. From mind mapping to efficient researching, I helped them grow the skills necessary to be effective problem solvers, making sure to teach them how to fish rather than fishing for them. I also helped them build technical skills, giving them lessons on gearing, good engineering practices and PID controllers, hard skills that are applicable far beyond FLL. Additionally, as I was the only coach with prior FLL exposure when the team was starting, I wanted to ensure that the kids truly enjoyed their learning experience, playing “Fishy Fishy” with them to let them get to know each other, work together, and, most importantly, have fun. As daunting as designing and programming a robot and tackling a real-world issue might have seemed, the kids came to weekly meetings with a smile and a determined attitude. As the seasons have gone on, they have become skilled communicators, developing ideas, sharing them, and compromising with ease, setting them up to be capable leaders.
I strongly believe that a knowledge of global issues and a passion for solving them are paramount to being a global citizen and leader. For this reason, I mentor the Model UN club at Oak Middle School in Shrewsbury.
