MentorsWe greatly appreciate our team's mentors for the time they give to help us in building and competing for the FIRST Robotics competition. At the end of every season, a banquet is held to honor the mentors and any students who have especially helped with the robot.
Tony A.Tony has been with the team for 6 years and is the head software and programmer, with the help of Paul R. He is a project manager at Boeing St. Louis and has an Electrical Engineering degree. He helps because, "FIRST is an arena where I can utilize the gifts God has given me to help others."
He has been on the team for 8 years. He is a journeyman electrician. He helps doing anything needed with tools, though he actually stays away from electrical. He is also dubbed "the safety guy" for unknown reasons. He does this because, "Roger S. asked me and we're good friends, I like using my hands, and I
enjoy teaching kids to design with building in mind. If they're not careful, they'll design something unbuildable and teaching them to design with building in mind is very important."
Karl was one of the founding mentors. He is a Senior Automotive mechanic for Ameren Illinois Utilities. He helps with welding, machining and assay of sub systems and parts.
He helps teach students to properly use the tools such as mills, lathes, and welders. He says, "I really enjoy introducing students to working with their hands and directing their minds to think outside the box."
Roger is the team's head mentor. He is generally involved in any and all activities of the team. He attended the Lutheran Fraternity at Rolla and has a degree in engineering. He currently works for Innoventor. In 2010 he was nominated for the Woodie Flower's Award at the St. Louis Regional and won. He says he started FIRST Team 1444, "Because we wanted more Lutheran high schoolers to join the Fraternity at Rolla. Kids who might like engineering just weren't getting
exposed to it, and FIRST seemed like a great way to do that."
Neil W. Neil was the original founder of FIRST Team 1444. Now he only stops by on weekends, since the other mentors do such a great job. He is currently on the FIRST Regional Planning Committee for St. Louis. He says, "I do this because I believe in the objectives of FIRST and the values it teaches students."
Jim has been with the team for three years. He has a degree from Rolla in Mechanical Engineering. He has mostly worked in aerospace and electrical manufacturing but has been retired since 1998.
He has also received a patent. He currently volunteers with the USO of St. Louis, and is on the board for God Cares, an organization for homeless veterans. He says, "I enjoy very much working with the students and try to share some of my enthusiasm for engineering."
Tom was an electrician, programmer, and instructor for Chrysler until 2008. Since 2010 he has been working for Terminal Railroad Association.
He helps to pass on skills to students in the technical areas of robot production. He says, "It is fun to see the students get excited when it all comes together." The website team gives him a big thanks for taking most of the pictures!
Robert is the son of Karl and was one of FIRST Team 1444's first students. He has since gone to Rolla and received a degree in aerospace engineering. After he returned from school, he joined the team as a mentor and has been with us for three years.
Paul R. Paul has been with the team for four years. He currently works for Covidien pharmaceutical company. He helps the team with programing. He says he helps because, "It's good for young kids to be inspired as engineers and I want to help give them every opportunity."
Will has only been on the team this season, but is enjoying it immensely. While having no formal training, he has been "tinkering" in his basement for 15 years and is catching on fast. He mostly helps with fabrication. "Some friends of mine recommended it and I am really enjoying all the things I'm learning."
Students
Aaron H.
Adam P.
Bethany B.
Brandon O.
Brendon B.
Brock H.
Clayton W.
Cody D.
David M.
Denis R.
Elise F.
Etta C.
Ethan M.
Garret F.
Grant S.
Ian M.
Jessica A.
Joel M.
Joey B.
Jonathan A.
Jonathan R.
Jordan W.
Josh G.
Joshua M.
Martin M.
Lucas A.
Micha M.
Michael A.
Noah T.
Patrick M.
Sam R.
Spencer T.
Steven H.
License Notice
Built by: Ian M. & Ethan M.
