Up & Coming Engineers: Meet Larry Lewis

RES Student Feature Up & Coming Engineers

This month’s column is a highlight on a student program through the lens of a local engineer. Larry Lewis is currently a Systems Engineer at Viewpoint Systems. He received his bachelor of science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from RIT in 2004. When he graduated from RIT and was looking to do something with his free time, he received an email about a FIRST® Robotics team forming at work that was looking for mentors. He didn’t have any background in robotics but jumped right in as a mentor to lead a strategy group of students (how to drive a robot and play the game). Eighteen years later, his role has evolved to support all FIRST programs throughout the Penfield School District. Since 2010 he has been the coach for the FIRST Robotics Team 1511 Rolling Thunder at Penfield High School which has approximately 45 members. FRC 1511 Rolling Thunder – Home of Rolling Thunder (penfieldrobotics.com).

What is FIRST? From their website, "FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured after school programs. Teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges."

FRC Team 1511 Rolling Thunder

There are levels within FIRST for various age ranges. Locally they are FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Discover (Grades PreK - 1), FLL Explorer (Grades 2-4), FLL Challenge (Grades 4-8), FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 7-8) and finally the FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12). For the FIRST Robotics competition (high school) build season is January until competition (typically 7 weeks). The Rolling Thunder team meets year-round. In the off-season, the team focuses on technical training (getting team members up-to-speed to get ready for build season), team dynamics and student leadership. The FIRST program is mentor guided and student run.

Once Larry got involved, he saw the impact that being on the team had on students and mentors and how they can make a positive change in the community and society. It allows students to see a variety of career paths, value STEM more, and have appreciation for all of the technologies that surround them. The team has students from diverse backgrounds, varying interests (varsity athletics, drama club, chess club, band, etc.) and all have a common goal. It’s interesting and rewarding to see all the team members mesh and interact with each other. People are multi-faceted and there are many different things to do on the team; software, electronics, mechanics, design, leadership, FIRST outreach, and business (fundraising, marketing).

The team becomes a 2nd home for many students, a place where they can fit in and be part of something. It’s a support network. Larry stays in touch with past students and is inspired by the stories of what they do. He sees being involved with FIRST as an opportunity to give back, to help create culture and unity amongst the students and the community. It is much more than robotics. Team members are ambassadors for FIRST and STEM in community.

Mentors are always wanted. Anyone can be a mentor and can jump in at any level! At the high school level, it helps if mentors have a background in engineering, but teams also need mentors in business, project management, and marketing. Mentors can be dedicated year-round mentors or seasonal mentors (i.e. build season only), judge events, or tournament volunteers. All a new mentor or student needs is the willingness to jump in and try!

To get engaged with a team in your area please visit: https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search

FIRST Contact: https://www.firstinspires.org/about/contact-us

FIRST Robotics Team 1511 Contact: https://penfieldrobotics.com/contact/

If you'd like to learn more, the FIRST robotics community is featured in the original documentary “More Than Robots,” now streaming on Disney+.

RES Student Feature If you know of a student in grade 6 through college or a past RES scholarship recipient who should be highlighted in this column, please contact Lynne Irwin at the RES, res@frontiernet.net