Job Description:

CAD Instuctor for the Aerospace and Engineering program at Olathe Northwest High School.

How did you get involved with FIRST?

When I was interviewed at the school the principal recruited me to be a FIRST Coach and the rest is history.

What does Team 1710 mean to you?

It is a great group of kids working very hard for a 6 week period of time putting in countless hours all while having a ton of fun. I always refer to them as my kids...odd that a single has 38 of them.

What is your favorite experience with Team 1710?

There is 2 actually... Winning the regional at Chicago the first year I was with the team, and winning the Chairmans award at KC regional.

How does FIRST impact the community?

FIRST is a great opportunity for students to learn, grow confidence, and excel in so many ways at the same time they are having fun.

Job Description:

Web Developer, National Center for Competency Testing. I enjoy making things fit and things that communicate - things like graphic designs, user interfaces, websites, animations, photography, video, and semaphore.

How did you get involved with FIRST?

I was a teaching my first year of high school when my new friend from across the hall, Mrs. Sue Rippe, invited me to help her start Team 1710.

What does Team 1710 mean to you?

For me, FIRST is an opportunity to share what I know and to show young people that effort and time spent honing design, communication, programming, animation, and mechanical skills can pay off in a big way. Plus it's a whole lot of fun.

What is your favorite experience with Team 1710?

My favorite experience with Team 1710 - and I get to experience this all the time - is watching students use what they've learned.

How does FIRST impact the community?

I think FIRST is proof that the nerds and geeks are the new rock stars. I hope it instills a sense of pride, accomplishment, and inspiration in everyone who participates. FIRST also sets such a positive example of how cooperation can coexist with competition - and maybe it's better that way. The message of Gracious Professionalism will be with our team members for the rest of their lives.

Job Description:

I teach Physics; elighten the general public about the beautiful laws which govern our universe. USD 233.--Expertise- Fly fishing, archery, I'm pretty good at driving, only one ticket...

How did you get involved with FIRST?

Mrs. Metcalf asked me if I would do it. I was still in college at the time and I had no clue what I had agreed to.

What does Team 1710 mean to you?

Putting a stupidly complex task into a stupidly short period of time to make machines in a wood shop. I don't get out much so I'm not sure what everyone else is doing.

What is your favorite experience with Team 1710?

72 hours over a five day weekend getting a robot to work. It was the weekend of showcase back in the winter of '08.

How does FIRST impact the community?

It keeps kids off of drugs; teaches them how to sell themselves and work on a team to accomplish a big hairy audacious goal.

Job Description:

Science instructor at Olathe Northwest Chemistry and Biology On the team I am involved with all awards submissions, including the Chairman's award, as well as the area of safety and the business plan.

How did you get involved with FIRST?

I founded the team 6 years ago along with Matt Breitkreutz after I attended a meeting at the Kauffman Foundation.

What does Team 1710 mean to you?

To a great extent, I almost feel that it will be a legacy that I leave behind for many years to come. Never did I believe 5 years ago when I started this thing up that it would be as successful and important to so many people.

What is your favorite experience with Team 1710?

I have two of them. The first is just seeing all the joy and excitement of the faces of each and every team member when we are at competition. It is just so much fun and it should be what we are all about. The second may be a bit selfish. At the end of each competition, my team forms a big circle and sings "my Girl" as a bit of a tradition. I am so proud that it just brings tears to my eyes each year.

How does FIRST impact the community?

It is the real thing. It teaches them so many skills that will help them in their immediate and distant futures. It provides them a plethora of opportunities that they would never have experienced before. Like any athletic event, it give students a chance to excel and become a part of a team that, together, can accomplish great things.