FIRST Inspires: My Story

Transformative learning through robotics
Melissa Jackson
Grants Manager, Boys and Girls Haven, Kentucky

Strategies for creating STEM engagement opportunities in high-poverty schools
STEM Equity Grantees
FIRST School Districts

FIRST is a family affair
Amanda and Robert Stephenson
FIRST Alumni & Volunteers

I’m building leadership skills as a FIRST mentor
Max Goldstein
FIRST Alum & Mentor

FIRST taught me how to learn from my peers
Hans Mueller
FIRST Alum & Volunteer

Teacher inspires a culture change through high school robotics and crowdfunding
Monique Dituri
FIRST Robotics Competition Mentor & STEM Teacher, Clifton High School, NJ

I’m still learning new job skills as a FIRST mentor
Rachel Clark
FIRST Alum and Mentor

FIRST builds my students into leaders
Sherry Comer
Camdenton R-III Afterschool Services Director & FIRST Mentor

FIRST mentors change students’ lives
D. Scott Heister
Mentor, FIRST Robotics Competition Team 66 “Grizzly Robotics”; Ypsilanti STEMM Middle College Director, Michigan

FIRST mentor leads students into brighter futures
Chelsey Roebuck
FIRST Alum, FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1218; Mentor, FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1660; Co-founder, Emerging Leaders in Technology and Engineering (ELiTE)
FIRST helped me gain confidence to launch a manufacturing startup
Max Friefeld
FIRST Alum, FIRST Robotics Competition Team 687; Co-founder, Voodoo Manufacturing

FIRST gave me a safe place to fail and problem-solve
Alex Kaplan
FIRST Alum & Mentor

FIRST helped me discover my love of engineering
Anthony Hennig
FIRST Alum, Volunteer, & Mentor

FIRST inspired my high school to invest in young engineers
Jeremy Shikarides
FIRST Alum, Volunteer, & Mentor

FIRST nurtured my interest in international relations
Elisa Moore
FIRST Alum & Mentor

FIRST creates friendships and connections
Cameron Schriner
FIRST Alum, Volunteer, and Mentor