Operation Inspiration 2005: Who wants to read all the WFA entries?

[Karthik]

Here's the essay that my students wrote about me. Our student team leader, Emerald Church sent it to me a few days after the Waterloo Regional. I have a hard time reading it without a tear coming to my eyes.

Team 1114, thank you.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson tells us nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Having known our team’s mentor, I must agree. To Team 1114’s mentor, Karthik Kanagasabapathy, no accomplishment is as great as inspiring youth and I can assure you, it is in credit to his endless enthusiasm.

Karthik has spent the past 7 years mentoring Canadian FIRST teams, has been with Team 1114 since the fall of 2003 and is concurrently mentoring Teams 1503 and 1680 in the Niagara First partnership. He is deeply immersed in FIRST. The recent honoree of Chief Delphi’s Unsung First Hero Award is on the 2005 Waterloo Regional Planning committee and has traveled to FIRST headquarters in New Hampshire, desiring to further the expansion of FIRST in Canada. Along with Ian Mackenzie, Karthik recently completed instructing a 6-seminar series on the basics of running a FIRST team and constructing a robot. Due to the success of these seminars, he and Ian will be presenting one in the FIRST Robotics Conference in Atlanta on Championship weekend. Concerning Karthik’s contributions to FIRST, Andy Baker, 2003 National Woodie Flowers Award winner, commented that Karthik has "done much for not just FIRST in Canada, but the entire FIRST community." As much as Karthik has volunteered throughout the FIRST community, some of his greatest achievements can be seen in his unfailing commitment to mentoring Team 1114.

In the time Karthik has spent with us, he has strengthened our team immeasurably. Most markedly, students have taken note of his tireless dedication to working on the robot and team strategy and have followed his example. His attention to detail shows in everything he does. Karthik not only encourages students to be part of the team and work cooperatively, but he makes the learning experience fun. Most students do not realize they are being taught because they enjoy seeing the "cool" side of engineering. Even when differences arise between students or mentors, Karthik is there to ease tensions and help resolve the issues at hand.

The most important ability for a mentor to possess is the ability to communicate effectively with the team throughout the season; Karthik never misses a chance to interact with the students and teach. For example, he held a mock-brainstorming session with Team 1114 to break down a past FIRST game to further understanding of strategy. He also used his knowledge of mathematics to teach lessons on the physics of the "Swerve" drive, instructing patiently and clearly. Karthik always explains why things are being done a certain way and encourages students to ask questions to improve their knowledge of design and strategy. Karthik makes each student an informed and active participant. Rather than saying "This is what we’re doing, and that’s final," Karthik pushes students to be creative, asking them to explain how something works and offer their own suggestions as to how things could be done differently.

Karthik takes his role as a mentor seriously, but extends it further than robotics lessons and team building. Karthik takes time to connect individually with the students on our team and act as a role model to all. Mentorship is not just about FIRST with Karthik, but about all facets of life. He is someone students can come to for advice and someone students can look up to. Karthik is an example of how passion and drive can help a person become a positive influence on others. Because of this, Karthik’s time with Team 1114 has been invaluable. It is his enthusiasm for connecting with youth and bringing FIRST to life for each student that makes him such a fantastic mentor. He pushes everyone to do their best and work together towards common goals, constantly inspiring Team 1114 to improve as a group and as individuals. Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm... and what Karthik has done for Team 1114 is no exception.

[Spaztik Duck]

Here is the essay we wrote about Dave Lavery - (annapolis winner)
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You have inevitably heard of a wacky guy named Dave Lavery, though you probably know him as a NASA executive who sends robots to Mars or as a FIRST notable who has Dean Kamen on speed dial. Sure, Dave is a celebrity in the macrocosm of FIRST, but forget that for a moment because he deserves the Woodie Flowers Award for what he has done as a mentor on Team 116. Rocket scientists may be thought of as unapproachable, however Dave has the unique ability to break down technical concepts and explain them on a simple level. He patiently and eagerly explains such concepts, inciting creativity without intimidating the group. He deserves the Woodie Flowers Award for creatively and enthusiastically flooding every student on Team 116 with a love for inventing.

Dave often arrives at meetings excited, giddy, and bouncing off the walls, wearing a mischievous grin that says, "I know something you don't know. and it's too cool!" He readily shares his latest news with us. It could be anything from a neat idea to pictures from Mars to movies from Japanese robotics facilities. Although what he shares is always interesting, the best part is that he becomes incredibly enthusiastic when he explains it. He jumps around, hands pop up, kids get excited, and it is just FUN. As he talks about these marvels, and as you look around the room, you see that everyone is enthralled.

When asked to recall her favorite memory of Team 116, Alisha Wallenstein, class of 1999, answered, "When Dave Lavery sat down with me and explained how a servo worked; it was the first time that I didn't feel intimidated by engineering. He really made me feel like I could learn this and understand it, and that I wasn't dumb for not knowing what a servo was in the first place. It was really a life-changing moment." After working with Dave on team 116, Alisha was inspired to found the Virginia Tech-sponsored FIRST Robotics team, and she recently prompted Israel to start 12 new FIRST Robotics teams, which she currently oversees.

Alisha is not the only student whom Dave Lavery has inspired; this mentor extraordinaire has affected many students over the 10 years that he has served as a mentor of Team 116. Kyle Witte, a senior and team captain, recalls, "I remember having to rewire the entire control system. Dave showed me how and then let me do it. He gives guidance and guidelines rather than instruction." Students who have worked with Dave for an extended period of time appreciate his ability to humanize engineering, and so do students in their rookie year. Freshmen Staci Celinski and Ted Markson say that Dave always knows the right answer to a problem, but rather than simply handing it to students, he challenges them to think for themselves and figure it out by guiding them with yes or no questions.

Dave is just a regular, smart guy with a heart bigger than the universe he seeks to explore. Another mentor on the team once asked Dave if it bothered him that our team's robot has never done very well at competitions. Dave replied, "As long as the students are inspired and try their best, I'm happy." What Dave does for our team goes past what happens at the school and in the shop. Dave puts a face - a very happy face - on the world of engineering; he opens our minds and illuminates our potential, showing us that we too can make a real contribution to the world of science.

[Goldeye]

The WFA Essay for Tom Ferguson, NYC Woodie Flowers Award winner. Written primarily by Sonia Gollance.


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"Freshman year, I joined the Robotics Team, and my kids did too," says Tom Ferguson, amateur stand-up comedian and Team 694's lead engineering mentor of four years. This funny, inspirational dad is also an aerospace engineer and Vice President of Engineering at Cox & Company, Inc., the only aerospace manufacturing firm in Manhattan. Tom is uniquely qualified for his vital role on our team because he has degrees and experience in both electrical and mechanical engineering. Fortunately, he gives enormous amounts of time to Robotics. "It's the most frustrating activity I've ever taken part in, but for some reason I'm totally addicted." We’re glad he is, because he has been vital to our learning, progress, and development over the past years.

We know when to expect Tom, every day at 5:00 we get a phone call in the lab asking if anyone needs anything from Tribeca Hardware. Then Tom arrives, carrying needed supplies and eager to help. Members all agree he takes the time to explain complex topics and never gets impatient. Tom explains the principles and physics behind mechanical aspects of robotics and guides students in finding their own solutions to problems. According to our tech teacher, "He's a role model for our team."

Tom says that a lot of what he does is provoking thought and encouraging responsibility in student leaders. He shows us how to be more professional in the way we approach our projects. We have learned to think before we build, design before we construct, and always make calculations first. He makes a point of involving even new members in everything we do. Students say he is approachable," "a great teacher," and "outstanding at what he does." One parent says that "as a mentor, Tom is the best thing that could have happened to our school."

Tom devotes himself to Robotics, even when he’s outside our lab. For the past two summers he's welcomed us to his home for planning meetings. When budget cuts limited our access to the lab, even during the construction period, he continually opened his apartment to the team. Even when there is no meeting, he works with one son on Autodesk Inventor designs for the robot. According to his other son, "dinner conversation is all about robotics, late at night conversations are all about robotics. Robotics is everywhere."

As a result of Tom's involvement with our team, two years ago he started an annual summer internship program at Cox and Company. His co-workers have gotten involved with our team, and the company provides invaluable materials and machining support. Cox and Company is now our most valued corporate contributor.

Beyond his dedication to our team, Tom exemplifies the spirit of FIRST. His willingness to help is not limited to our team. Last year at the NYC Regional, he spent all his spare moments helping Team 711. The team was very enthusiastic, but had no engineering mentors, resulting in a robot with serious mechanical deficiencies. He says it was a "rewarding experience because they were soooo happy" when he helped the team get their robot working.

Robotics has truly affected Tom. He claims it "brought me closer to my children and to the school." He finds that FIRST teaches members practical knowledge and provides real-life applications for math and science. As a result, Tom now asks job candidates about FIRST involvement. He believes that "FIRST does more to prepare kids for the real world experience than anything else."

Since Tom does so much to enhance our FIRST experience and exemplify the meaning of FIRST, we believe he merits the Woodie Flowers Award.

[AshleyD]

John Novak and his wife planned their wedding around FIRST, and he warned her beforehand that he “had a thing for robots.” He has been working with the Bomb Squad since 1996 and has an irreplaceable dedication and presence on the team.

In the fall, John creates an electronics club for anyone interested in learning controls and programming. He has taught evening engineering classes and brought all the materials necessary for everyone on the team to make a circuit with a battery and LED. In November, he carted last year’s robot to school to explain its functions to new team members. He is able to communicate on every level of understanding by putting a concept in simple terms or explaining it in acute detail. His flexibility is evident in his mentorship of both FIRST Lego League and FIRST.

The Bomb Squad would not exist this year without John Novak. With the loss of corporate sponsorship, the program was dead. However, John has taken a colossal professional risk to be one of a few engineers still able to mentor. He made it his goal this year to prove that students are capable of taking on such challenges and creating a working robot without corporate help.

He has always been a favorite engineer for job shadowing and has always been willing to rearrange his work schedule. He has inspired so many students, particularly in the area of controls and programming, to study engineering after high school. He is also an advocate of engineering classes in the high school which will be introduced in the 2005-2006 school year.

His brilliance is unmatched. He is the brain power behind many successful Bomb Squad robots, and the intricate ideas in design and programming that he has passed on to students are invaluable. He searches all year for new ideas or engineering devices that could be incorporated into Bomb Squad robots and challenges the team to use these new ideas. For example, he introduced the team to ultrasonic sensors a few years ago and explained their function and the benefits of using them.

All of John’s brilliant ideas and teaching efforts combined do not compare to the value of his character. He is the model of a gracious professional. Never in the limelight, he takes no credit for all he has done. He constantly says “this is a team,” and is willing to work towards whatever goals the team set, even though he knows more about engineering and robotics than all the students combined. Instead of telling students something won’t work, he lets them discover it themselves. His determination never falters. If it was possible for John to give up, this would be the year, but he is more committed than ever. His enthusiasm inspires the team and emphasizes that FIRST isn’t about winning. He brings stability and confidence to the team, because John can fix anything!

The greatest testimony of John’s success in teaching is the ability of students to independently use the knowledge he has given them. For example, students he has mentored can independently program, solder, build and maintain the robot, and confidently explain its functions to any audience.

John Novak’s presence on the Bomb Squad has changed my life. To see someone have so much passion about engineering and working with students has inspired me to pursue a degree in engineering in hopes of becoming a professor. Our students have learned more about gracious professionalism from John than from any other person or team. Because of the way he has touched so many lives, John Novak truly deserves this award.

[Rich Kressly]

Some great stuff here already. Let's get all 30 entries posted this year!!!