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Welcome to the GEARED UP: Mentor Conference, where innovation meets inspiration!

Join us on May 11, 2024, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Building 201, for a day filled with knowledge-sharing, networking, and empowerment.

This conference is proudly presented by Aramco America and aims to equip mentors with the tools and insights needed to effectively guide an increasingly diverse generation of students.

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Saturday, May 11
 

9:00am EDT

Check In & Coffee Mixer
Saturday May 11, 2024 9:00am - 9:30am EDT
Lobby
  Mixer

9:30am EDT

Opening Remarks
Speakers
avatar for Alex Bryant

Alex Bryant

Executive Director, FIRST Chesapeake
Alex Bryant is committed to serving his communities. Bryant graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Music and a minor in Biology. He currently works for FIRST Chesapeake, an arm of the International FIRST Inspires, a global robotics community preparing young people... Read More →
avatar for Rania Kiblawi

Rania Kiblawi

Senior Corporate Advisor, Washington DC Office, Aramco Americas

Saturday May 11, 2024 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Main Auditorium
  Keynote

10:00am EDT

Using Project Based Learning to Guide Youth Development: Exploration of the BRIDGES program
Speakers
avatar for Cait McGraw

Cait McGraw

K-12 STEM Education and Outreach Specialist, Idaho National Laboratory

Saturday May 11, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Main Auditorium
  Keynote

11:00am EDT

Failing FIRST: Redefining Success
Speakers
avatar for Isaiah Marriner

Isaiah Marriner

Director of FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Chesapeake
I am a 2015 graduate from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. In 2016, I began my teaching career and that's also when I was introduced to FIRST. At the time, I was teaching honors physics, principles of technology... Read More →
avatar for Shelly Stoddard

Shelly Stoddard

Director of FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday May 11, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Breakout 3 & 4
  Panel

11:00am EDT

Schools Out: Operating a FIRST Team in the Community
Speakers
avatar for Rose Young

Rose Young

Various, FRC, FTC, FLL
As a mentor of an FRC Team, I have had experience as a teacher running the team in a school setting and transitioning to a community team. I helped to establish the 501(c)3 non-profit organization "PIE3" in 2011, and since then have continued supporting FRC Team 2199, and a few dozen... Read More →
avatar for Prasad Karunakaran

Prasad Karunakaran

Self Employed
Prasad is an experienced mentor and coach who successfully ran a community-based STEM center, overseeing multiple FIRST and other STEM programs. He has served as a FIRST Senior Mentor for the Maryland region and is currently on the Board of Directors of FIRST Chesapeake. Beyond his... Read More →

Saturday May 11, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Breakout 1 & 2
  Panel

12:00pm EDT

Lunch Mixer
Saturday May 11, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Dining Hall
  Mixer

12:00pm EDT

AI: What You Need to Know!
Moderators
avatar for Cassie Rothrauff

Cassie Rothrauff

Booz Allen Hamilton

Speakers
avatar for Jinnyn Jacob

Jinnyn Jacob

Lead, Philanthropic Partnerships & Marquis Programs, Booz Allen Hamilton
AH

Alexa Hoffman

Lead Generative AI Strategist, Booz Allen Hamilton
avatar for Alisha Adams

Alisha Adams

Booz Allen Hamilton

Saturday May 11, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Breakout 3
  Panel

1:00pm EDT

Concept to Competition: Designing with REV ION
Covering the broad design process when using COTS ION components and what to do differently from a custom design. Also touching on how to effectively combine custom manufacturing with ION in the form of 3d printing and 2d cutting (like router/laser).
Speakers
avatar for Orion DeYoe

Orion DeYoe

Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineer Manager, REV Robotics

Saturday May 11, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Main Auditorium
  Flash Talk

2:00pm EDT

Building Your FIRST Community
Speakers
avatar for Seelig Sinton

Seelig Sinton

19458, FTC

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Breakout 2
  Flash Talk

2:00pm EDT

Integrating Advanced Technical Concepts into FLL Team Environments
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Rich

Ryan Rich

Coach 56720, FRC, FTC, FLL
FIRST Lego League Coach, FRC and FTC mentor and volunteer.

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Breakout 1
  Flash Talk

2:00pm EDT

Introduction to SUGO for Fundraising & Outreach
Speakers
avatar for Amber Driesman

Amber Driesman

FIRST Senior Mentor, PDP FLL Explore MD, FIRST Inspires

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Breakout 4
  Flash Talk

2:00pm EDT

Strategic Design Principles
Speakers
avatar for Joey Kerns

Joey Kerns

614, 38344, FRC, FLL

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Breakout 3
  Flash Talk

2:15pm EDT

A League of Their Own
Speakers
avatar for Shelly Stoddard

Shelly Stoddard

Director of FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Chesapeake
avatar for Amber Driesman

Amber Driesman

FIRST Senior Mentor, PDP FLL Explore MD, FIRST Inspires

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Breakout 2
  Flash Talk

2:15pm EDT

Future of FIRST: How to engage Alumni as Coaches
Speakers
avatar for Ethan Bass

Ethan Bass

Head Coach 4924 FTC, FTC, FLL
Involved as a student in FIRST from 2007-2017, as a mentor from 2017-2018, and a head coach since 2019! 17 years of FIRST as a 25 year old!Heavily involved in making tournaments fun as a volunteer through the New River Robotics Association.

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Breakout 4
  Flash Talk

2:15pm EDT

Hype Sessions: How to “hype” up yourself and your team!
Speakers
avatar for Cassie Rothrauff

Cassie Rothrauff

Booz Allen Hamilton

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Breakout 1
  Flash Talk

2:30pm EDT

Designing Your Brand to Serve You
Speakers
avatar for Jen Scharl

Jen Scharl

Founder, Jen Scharl Design

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
Breakout 4
  Flash Talk

2:30pm EDT

Fueling F.T.C. Success: STEM Spires' Fundraising & Outreach Boost
In this flash talk, I will discussing about how STEM Spires' helps and aids F.T.C. teams with fundrasing, outreach and advertising. We help brand new teams with organizational structure, productivity and more! I will also be going to what STEM Spires is and how to sign up for free as a F.T.C. Team!
Speakers
avatar for Jay Taneja

Jay Taneja

Founder, STEM Spires

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
Breakout 3
  Flash Talk

2:30pm EDT

GEARED UP: Exploring a Cohort Model for FTC Mentors
Speakers
avatar for Shelly Stoddard

Shelly Stoddard

Director of FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Chesapeake
avatar for Bryanne Peterson, PhD

Bryanne Peterson, PhD

25149, FTC, FLL
Bryanne is a seasoned coach with ten years of experience in FIRST Lego League (FLL).  Now, as a proud member of the inaugural GearedUp cohort, she is embarking on her first season coaching FTC team #25149, The Incredibelles, who are an all-girls community-based team. Outside of her... Read More →

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
Breakout 2
  Flash Talk

2:30pm EDT

Including Neurodiverse Students in FIRST LEGO League: a Framework for Innovative Approaches
Speakers
avatar for David Huss

David Huss

56674, FTC, FLL
avatar for Kelley N Burd-Huss

Kelley N Burd-Huss

57674, FTC, FLL

Saturday May 11, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
Breakout 1
  Flash Talk

3:00pm EDT

Hosting FLL Competitions
Speakers
avatar for Rose Young

Rose Young

Various, FRC, FTC, FLL
As a mentor of an FRC Team, I have had experience as a teacher running the team in a school setting and transitioning to a community team. I helped to establish the 501(c)3 non-profit organization "PIE3" in 2011, and since then have continued supporting FRC Team 2199, and a few dozen... Read More →
avatar for Amber Driesman

Amber Driesman

FIRST Senior Mentor, PDP FLL Explore MD, FIRST Inspires

Saturday May 11, 2024 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Breakout 1
  Panel

3:00pm EDT

Hosting FRC Competitions
Speakers
avatar for Isaiah Marriner

Isaiah Marriner

Director of FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Chesapeake
I am a 2015 graduate from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. In 2016, I began my teaching career and that's also when I was introduced to FIRST. At the time, I was teaching honors physics, principles of technology... Read More →
avatar for Anne Shade

Anne Shade

Logistics Associate, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday May 11, 2024 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Breakout 3
  Panel

3:00pm EDT

Hosting FTC Competitions
Speakers
avatar for Shelly Stoddard

Shelly Stoddard

Director of FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Chesapeake
avatar for Glen Davis

Glen Davis

Logistics Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday May 11, 2024 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Breakout 2
  Panel

3:00pm EDT

Hosting FTC Scrimmages
Speakers
avatar for Jon Vandegriff

Jon Vandegriff

7393, FTC
Coach of FTC Team 7393 electronVolts for 11 years, with 4 years coaching FLL before that. Our team size has ranged from 5 to 11 students. We have hosted many different events, from small, informal scrimmages at our meeting place to larger, formal events with many volunteers and judges... Read More →

Saturday May 11, 2024 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Breakout 4
  Panel

3:30pm EDT

Casting a Wider Net in the sea of STEM for Sustainable Community Impact
Making a difference in your community is more than one or two robotics teams. We will show how an ecosystem of
robotics in our small town of 20,000, plus the larger area of Roanoke-Blacksburg (300,000), can build community
awareness so that families and companies keep FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, a
world-wide competitive robotics non-profit) top-of-mind, from casual encounters to lifelong participants.
Speakers
avatar for Henry Bass

Henry Bass

FTC 4924, FRC, FTC, FLL
See us online at FIRSTnrv.com

Saturday May 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Breakout 2
  Flash Talk

3:30pm EDT

Transitioning from FLL to FTC
Speakers
avatar for Bryanne Peterson, PhD

Bryanne Peterson, PhD

25149, FTC, FLL
Bryanne is a seasoned coach with ten years of experience in FIRST Lego League (FLL).  Now, as a proud member of the inaugural GearedUp cohort, she is embarking on her first season coaching FTC team #25149, The Incredibelles, who are an all-girls community-based team. Outside of her... Read More →

Saturday May 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Breakout 1
  Panel

3:30pm EDT

Grant Writing Workshop
Speakers
avatar for Andrea S. Harman

Andrea S. Harman

Proposal Manager – National Security Space, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Saturday May 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Breakout 3
  Workshop

3:30pm EDT

Implementing Agile Project Management for your Team
Speakers
avatar for Jacob Benjamin

Jacob Benjamin

Software Engineer IV, ManTech

Saturday May 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Breakout 4
  Workshop

4:30pm EDT

Networking Happy Hour
Wind down and connect with old friends and new at Game On Arcade + Bar.

Enjoy nachos, drinks, and games on us! 

Presented by Booz Allen Hamilton.
Saturday May 11, 2024 4:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Game On Arcade + Bar
  Mixer
 
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Saturday, May 11
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