Congratulations to all the Dean’s List Finalists so far, and all the rest to come this season!! Last season, FRC Team Neutrino was so blessed to have one of our team members, Leslie, recognized as a Dean’s List Winner. I had heard about the Dean’s List Summit before last year (it’s mentioned in the FTC Dean’s List Nomination Guide: “An invitation for them and a chaperone to attend an expense paid FIRST Dean’s List Award Summit at FIRST headquarters in Manchester, NH”), but after Leslie won, I wanted to find out all I could about what it would be like to go to the summit.
Between the FTC Dean’s List Nomination Guide, FRC Game Manual, and Chief Delphi, I could not find much on the Dean’s List Summit beyond what I quoted above. The 2022 FRC Dean’s List Award Guide did not even mention it at all.
I was beyond excited when Leslie asked me to be her chaperone to the 2022 Dean’s List Summit!! All I knew at that point was that we were going to FIRST Headquarters and that we might be going to Dean Kamen’s house, but I was still thrilled. After having gone, I can confirm it was an amazing experience!! By far my favorite part was hanging out with the other chaperones and getting to meet the winners. I actually really enjoyed the Kit of Parts Suppliers panel (where the FRC winners sat on a panel and suppliers like REV, AndyMark, and PTC asked them questions) – I already knew the winners were awesome, but actually getting to hear about their experiences on their teams and articulate their technical knowledge and opinions showed me a glimpse of just how awesome. (If any winners from 2022 are reading this, you rock!! Come say hi at Houston! )
In case you are like me and curious about what goes on at this event, I attached the 2022 itinerary. Of course, there might be some changes in the future, but at least it’s a starting point. Additionally, know that the trip is all-expenses-paid (including airfare, meals, and a bunch of free FIRST swag). Most of the chaperones were the winners’ parents, but there were a few other college-age mentors like me. A lot of the event involved networking, so make sure to be ready to talk to people. The winners got to network with FIRST staff, suppliers, and college representatives from MIT, Yale, and WPI, among others.
If you have any questions, please reach out! I’d be happy to answer them.