Public Speaking
As an aspiring engineer, I understand that communicating clearly is important. So I have worked hard to cultivate this skill by creating and delivering presentations in many different places, like TEDx, Capitol Hill or in online podcasts.
"False First Principles: The Origin of Innovation"
TEDxClassicalAcademyHS
As a designer, builder and maker of things, I am always inventing new ways to solve challenging problems. That got me thinking about the process of innovation, and I wondered if someone had created a framework that could be used to more easily bring new ideas to light. In my TEDx talk, I share the findings of my research into the concept of First Principles, and how I believe that finding "False" First Principles, a term I coined, is actually the origin of innovation.
STEM Advocacy on Capitol Hill
The after school robotics program I created at the school district in my local community was made possible, in part, by STEM-focused funding originating on Capitol Hill.
I was honored to speak in Washington D.C. at the congressional offices of Senator Feinstein, Senator Padilla and Representative Peters where I shared about the program we established and advocated for continued funding and support from the federal government!
STEM Advocacy in Sacramento
Most funding for educational programs comes from State and Local governments. That is why I also wanted to travel to my state capitol in Sacramento to advocate for funding for the after school robotics program I created with the Escondido Union School District.
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California created a $4 billion program called ELOP, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, that was intended to support hands-on after school programs for K-6 schools. My team and I met with the staff of State Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, and Senator Brian Jones to advocate for their continued support of this program that funded our EUSD robotics program. We also advocated for the creation of a new $500,000 competitive grant program that would establish new high school robotics teams in the State of California.
My team and I prepared materials about the programs we wanted the government to support and a script for each of us to deliver to the staff in their offices as part of our participation in the California Advocacy Leadership Conference. I really enjoyed leading my team's advocacy efforts and presentation to government officials!
Robotics Workshop for Teachers
Training teachers to be robotics coaches was the most important part of my after school robotics program's strategy. By teaching the teachers about robotics, I've been able to create a program that will last in my local community for years to come.
I led the initial training workshop at the school district's office, and then visit with the schools once per week to reinforce that learning in the classroom with students.
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Robot reveals and podcasts
At the end of the robotics season, teams share their robot designs and what they learned throughout the year.
I really enjoyed sharing our innovations for the Power Play season with the "FIRST Updates Now", or FUN, community this year. I hope other teams will be able to build better robots next year because of what we were able to share with them through this video!