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

[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!!!