“Dangerous Minds” team comprising of students in Yr 7 to 9 will be the only Victorian Team to travel to Sydney this week to participate in Regionals First Tech Challenge Championships.
This is a student led team that meet twice a week and most days in the holidays. They have recruited some adult mentors that have relevant technical knowledge. They are all learning together. Parents are also helping the team align with First’s core values.
Gemma Wildermuth, founder of the team has a passion for STEM and Robotics. She has competed in First Lego League (FLL) and First Robotics (FRC). She travelled to Uruguay to compete on the International stage in June. She wanted to form a team with peers she met through Real Time Learning Workshops. Gemma felt the leap from FLL to FR was too great. Gemma found many students that participated in FLL did not go on to participate in both First Tech Challenge (FTC) or FRC. She is competing at all 3 levels this year!
Gemma believes more teams would compete at FRC if they participated in FTC first. She is on a mission to see more teams from Victoria participate in FTC.
Gemma also identified the need for technical mentors and has recruited adults with technical experience to help mentor the “Dangerous Minds” Team.
All 5 participants in the team have participated in Real Time Learning Starter and Extension Workshops. They all have played roles as leaders in workshops and it is terrific to see they have the confidence to participate in FTC as a team. All want to be engineers in the future of course!
I am delighted that Claude Dabare, an RTL Facilitator has volunteered to join their team of mentors and will be traveling to Sydney with the team next week. Over the past couple of years, RTL has come to recognize the invaluable role Undergraduates can play in mentoring young students with a passion for STEM. All that volunteer wish they had these opportunities when they were at school.
If you have a passion for getting involved whether that be through mentoring or investment please contact luke@rtlaustralia.com
Go Dangerous Minds!