Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1464867
60 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2022 aging the FRC events on our own, rather than having it done in New Hampshire. Matties: Do you have a background in educa- tion? Collins: No. I worked in the library at my kids' school, got involved as a volunteer, and they sucked me in. I've been involved in a lot of my kids' activities, but I've never seen a program affect students as much as this one did. I con- tinued to be involved, and when they gave me the opportunity to work for the organization, I jumped at the chance. Matties: What is the biggest takeaway for stu- dents who participate in an event or program like this? Collins: It's not just about STEM—engineer- ing and science. It's also about being presented with a problem, having a limited amount of time to solve it, and figuring out what resources you need. Maybe you're doing web design and marketing to promote your brand and help with fundraising, or maybe you're designing or building the robot. But you're working side by side with professionals in the industry and giving people an opportunity to try something they never thought they even wanted to do. Some find out they love it, but others still say, "Well, yeah, I still don't want to do that." But it gives them an opportunity to problem solve and think outside the box either way. Matties: I've talked to for- mer students who are still connected to FIRST. It seems like it's lifelong once you're in it. Collins: It really is. It's so amazing what it does for our students once they become involved; they want to stay involved. In fact, many of our key volunteers who are running these events started with a student on the team, their student graduated from high school, and they may or may not be supporting the team, but they wanted to stay involved at a higher level. ey start volunteer- ing at the events and doing things behind the scenes, just because they've seen the change that this brings to kids. Matties: On game day, it's all about the robots and the arena, but what's happening behind ROBOTICS TEAM SPECIAL REPORT