Changes are happening at First State Robotics.

Dawn Dockter and David Onstad, mentors of FTC team Rhyme Know Reason, are moving on to new home and work. In just two years, their team has grown to be an important part of First State Robotics organization, winning awards for high quality engineering notebooks, public outreach, as well as for excellence in mentoring. In addition, two students from RKR won prestigious student awards. We wish them well in their new adventures, and they assure us that they will continue their involvement with FIRST robotics.
They leave the team in able hands…. Michelle Petrucci is stepping up as new team leader. Michelle also leads The Thunderminds, an FLL team made up of home schooled students from North Wilmington. In 2014-15 their team won the Conrad School of Sciences FLL Champions award.  In her new FTC role, Michelle invites interested high school-age students from both traditional schools and home schools to check the Rhyme Know Reason website for details on the application process (coming soon). We welcome her enthusiasm and look forward to many more great years.

A new member was named to the First State Robotics board, Greg Frantz. Greg, an engineer with Chemours, brings a wealth of volunteer and organizational experience to the board having worked in a number of STEM related programs, including starting and leading an FLL team, serving as head referee for First State FLL, and helping organize the judging process for local elementary science fairs.

FSR board president, Peggy Vavalla said, “Both Michelle and Greg will be assets to our organization and we are delighted to have them join us.”