Category Archives: News and events

Volunteer now- 2016 season approaching

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FIRST Volunteers agree: it’s easy to get started, and impossible to stop!
Whether you have a weekend to help,  want to start a new team and mentor for a length of time, have technical or non-technical expertise, there is a volunteer role suited to your unique interest and working with students of all ages.

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Grant award expands STEM opportunities in Delaware

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Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware in partnership with Delaware State University were recently awarded $42,400 to expand FIRST LEGO League teams into more communities. Delaware received one of ten grants in US and Canada funded through the 2016 FIRST Equity Community Innovation Grant.

“As the demand for qualified STEM professionals continues to grow, inequalities in education and afterschool programs have affected students of color and female students’ ability to excel in these fields,” said Donald E. Bossi, president of FIRST. “Through these grants, we are proud to lay the foundation for more successful futures by providing opportunities for 4,200 students in nine states and one Canadian province to gain new skills and real-world experiences. For their communities, this opportunity offers practical workforce development and equity solutions that otherwise have been unavailable.”

George Krupanski, president/CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware said, “This exciting program will have a lasting benefit in helping young people prepare for a successful future. FIRST LEGO teams are a great way to excite youth about STEM programs while working together in a team approach. We are thrilled to be a part of this effort!”

Learn more about First State FLL here.

Delaware volunteers recognized

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Carol Perrotto

Carol Perrotto Woodie Flowers Award

Carol Perrotto- 2016 Woodie Flowers Award Finalist

Last April 16, at the Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Championship held at Lehigh University, longtime MOE FRC mentor and FSR board member, Carol Perrotto, was named the mid-Atlantic region’s 2016 finalist for the prestigious  Woodie Flowers award. In addition to her role as team mentor, Carol has served on the board of Mid-Atlantic Robotics and as referee and head referee at regional and international FRC events.

This award recognizes and celebrates “effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design and mentors who lead, inspire and empower using excellent communication skills.”

Students across the world can nominate a mentor for consideration– someone who has done an outstanding job of motivation through communication while also challenging them to be clear and succinct as well as to recognize the value of communication. Each year regional and district finalists  vie for the Woodie Flowers Award (WFA) which is presented to one winner at the FIRST World Championship.

We are so fortunate in our high caliber of mentors here in Delaware. Over the years, four FSR mentors have received the finalist award and, in 2011,  John Larock was named World Champion Woodie Flowers Award Winner.

Woodie Flowers Finalist Awards from FSR
  • 2004 – Joe Perrotto
  • 2005 – Lou Rosanio
  • 2006 – John Larock
  • 2016 – Carol Perrotto

 

China Genwright

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China Genwright, 2016 FIRST VISTA Volunteer award

From FIRST July Newsletter-

On June 24, 2016, FIRST VISTA member China Genwright was recognized for her outstanding work as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Delaware and the District of Columbia over the past two years during the third annual FedServe Inter-Agency STEM Volunteer Fair in Washington, DC.  She was described as a role model to other college grads, but we also know she is an amazing coach, event organizer, camp leader and more. Congratulations, China!