Fall 2024

Dear Friends of NDSF,

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a worldwide nonprofit founded by inventor Dean Kamen to prepare young people for the future through team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK - Grade 12). Each academic year, they partner with Lego to organize a robotics challenge called the FIRST Lego League (FLL). This year’s challenge is Submerged. One of the challenge requirements is for students to pitch their ideas to an expert, then act on feedback they receive.

Now that school has started, WHOI has begun receiving requests for engagement from FLL teams. To address as many requests as possible in a coordinated manner, we have teamed up with NOAA OE, OECI, OET, and the Inner Space Center to hold a webinar on October 2 that will include Anthony Tarantino from the Alvin Group. If you are already working with a team, please tell them to register for the event, which will include the panelists answering questions live.

If you would be willing to engage with a team on their project, please fill out this form. WHOI’s K-12 coordinator Randy Holland will match you up with one of the requests we receive. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Randy at K-12coordinator@whoi.edu.

Sincerely,

Ken Kostel
Director of Research Communications
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution