Newsletter November 2021

November 2021

Get to Know Team 2412 – The Robototes!

Q: How has your team engaged the community this season?

In response to the unfortunate cancellation of Robot Reboot, the Robototes seized the opportunity to host our first off-season event, Bordie Recharge! 19 teams attended from all over WA, and it was a huge success. Additionally, it was an excellent opportunity for rookies to see robotics in action. We had rookie members on drive team at Bordie Recharge which allowed them to immerse themselves in the event. -Tasbeet I.

Q: How have members of 2412 worked to include new students make your team an inclusive environment for all?
We hosted a Robotics Open House in our shop the first week of school and showcased our T-shirt cannon at school-wide assemblies, giving t-shirts with our School’s new Redhawk mascot on them. We welcome students of all races, languages, gender identities, and beliefs who find a place doing everything from media to mechanical. Mindfulness Minutes – addressing microaggressions, racial injustice or other small reminders to promote self-care and strong mental health. – Tasbeet I.

Q: What do you love most about FIRST Washington? The importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 2412 has 3 members that serve on the Student DEI Advisory Committee. – Kiri N.

Q: What is one thing you’d like everyone to know about your team? Bordies, the pom pom bird mascot, are the spirit of the Robototes. They represent compassion, fun, and friendships. – Tasbeet I.

Q: What is an important lesson your team has learned recently? Each challenge we face opens a gateway for new innovative opportunities. COVID allowed us to evolve by focusing on our team as a whole, such as inclusivity within our buddy system training program, Under My Wing.

Partnership Spotlight: Seattle Universal Math Museum

FIRST Washington is excited to announce a Community Partnership with the Seattle Universal Math Museum (SUMM). Learn more about SUMM’s mission to spark each and every person to love math!

“The SUMM team love the wonder and beauty in math, how it helps us understand the world we live in and dream up ways to improve it. We exist to inspire kids to feel that way too. SUMM will be a space for learners to engage with math in hands-on, fun ways that spark curiosity and ignite new ideas that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Math is universal – it’s everywhere and for everyone.

In partnership with community-based organizations, SUMM will create equitable learning opportunities that serve as a launch pad for curiosity and confidence in math. Together we can do this!”

Check out all of SUMM’s exciting and educational upcoming events!

Industry Volunteer of the Month: Meet Christian!

Meet Christian Rolph! Christian volunteered with FIRST Washington for 19 hours during the month of October. He interviewed fellow Microsoft staff for our Microsoft Career INSPIRES video project, which will debut at the end of November!

Christian graduated from the University of Virginia in 2012 with a BA in History and served 8 years in the US Army before deciding to get into tech. He learned programming through night school during his last year in the Army.

“I never really knew what computer science was until I got to college and some of my friends were studying it. I always thought that I was bad at math, so I didn’t try to get into STEM. But I learned that a lot of hard work and patience really go a long way and can make a successful jump into tech.”

Thanks for helping inspire the next generation of STEM leaders, Christian!

News & Information

Newsletter November 2021