Through these interviews, we hope to encourage you to actively participate in CRSTE's mission
Meet Denise Lewis
Denise is the FIRST Assistant Regional Director and the FIRST Senior Mentor of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) in Washington DC.
What is your current title and scope of work for FIRST Robotics?
DL:FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” I serve as the FIRST Assistant Regional Director (ARD), as well as the FIRST Senior Mentor (SM) for the District of Columbia. Both positions are part-time. As ARD, I provide local support for our Regional Director, Pattie Cook (DC, MD, VA), in planning for the FIRST Robotics Competition - the DC Regional which will take place in March 2010. As SM, I help to recruit and support team mentors and event volunteers. I work to strengthen and expand partnerships with businesses, educational institutions and communities in the metropolitan area, supporting what we fondly refer to as "Robots Without Borders".
When did you become interested in youth robotics competitions? DL: Ten years ago, I was working as a Computer Resource Teacher.I accepted a summer position with Cybercamps. I was scheduled to teach computer basics, but two weeks before the camp started they called and asked me to teach robotics. I received a robot kit in the mail, and in four hours, "Denise-bot" and I were doing the "Electric Slide" together across the floor! I was hooked.I went back to the school that fall and started an afterschool robotics club. A few years later I was introduced to FIRST. Since then I have coached FIRST teams at all levels - Junior FIRST LEGO League, FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge (all based in Washington, DC) and the FIRST Robotics Competition (Team Dynamite #2819 from Oxon Hill High School in Prince Georges County, Maryland).
When did your church, Mount Airy Baptist Church, set up a Robotics Ministry? Were you involved in setting it up? What is the extent and goals of this ministry?
DL: Well, first I prayed, then I drafted a proposal and the Mount Airy Baptist Church Robotics Ministry was born under the visionary leadership of Rev. Dr. L. B. West. Our 5 1/2-year-old robotics ministry partners with Mount Airy In Action (MAIA), a non-profit comprehensive community-based organization that offers a broad array of services to the Northwest One Community of Washington, DC.Outreach initiatives include FIRST robotics teams (Jr.FLL, FLL and FTC), a junior chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, Boy Scouts, Youth and Special Needs Ministries and other programs done in conjunction with area schools. I have already invited President Obama and the First Family over to play with our robots; we are right around the corner!
FIRST Robotics competitions are increasingly known the public. Less well known are FIRST LEGO League and Junior FIRST LEGO League. What are these about?
DL:FIRST LEGO League is about fun! It is for ages 9-14. Kids do all the work! Teams consist of an adult coach and up to 10 students. Each September, FIRST introduces a new Challenge that is based on a set of real-world problems facing scientists and engineers. We have explored nanotechnology, alternative power, climate change and this year - Smart Move (transportation of the future). The Challenge has two parts: a Robot Game (using a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT kit) and a Project. For more information, go to http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/default.aspx?id=970. I know that I'm not supposed to have favorites, but if I could do only one program, it would have to be Junior FIRST LEGO League! It's for ages 6-9 and introduces our youngest students to the exciting worlds of science and technology. Just like FLL, this program features the same real-world challenge, to be solved by research, critical thinking and imagination. For more details, visit http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/jfll/default.aspx?id=818. Scratch is a free computer programming tool from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Share some stories of how you've used Scratch to ignite an interest in technology in youth.
DL: You can download Scratch (http://scratch.mit.edu/) to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share them on the Internet. Last summer, we hosted "Technology Tuesdays" during the Mount Airy Baptist Church Summer Camp. "Technology Tuesdays" featured approximately 40 students (ages 4-14) engaged in STEM activities based on the PBS "Design Squad" series, Google SketchUp and Scratch. Since registration for FLL opens during the month of May, we partnered with Takoma Park Middle School and DCRobotics to host Scratch Day on May 16, 2009. It was one of many gatherings in all parts of the world, where people could meet, share, and learn more about Scratch. I know that my Scratch skills are basic, but I couldn't think of a better way to say thanks to our organizers and participants than by sharing a Scratch project: http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/dmlewis/539557.
Do you have any stories to share about how technology changed the life of a youth you know?
DL: FIRST has made a positive impact on the life of every student that has actively participated on our teams. Something phenomenal happens when kids take charge, do the work and make the decisions with guidance from caring adults, in a supportive environment where gracious professionalism and coopertition rule!
What conferences have you attended in the past few years? What did you find interesting or useful at the conference? DL: I taught at a small private school, so I always made it a priority to attend conferences. Most of the time I felt isolated in my quest to bring technology into the classroom. I attended my first ISTE conference in New Orleans in 2004 (Jammin' & Jazzin' with Technology). I will never forget the feeling of being connected to thousands of educators who share my passion. The highlight of the conference for me was the keynote by Peter Reynolds. His short film "He Was Me" constantly reminds me to let the child in me come out and play! Now that I think about it, FIRST is more like play than work!
Who encouraged your interest in science and technology when you were growing up? DL: My father. He can build and fix anything!
What role do community volunteers have in realizing the promise of educational technology? DL: Community volunteers make the promise of educational technology sustainable. Technology engages our students. When you engage students, you have the opportunity to engage teachers, mentors, volunteers, families, local businesses, places of worship and other resources in the community. FIRST is not about robots. The highest honor that a team can receive in FIRST is the Chairman's award. It recognizes teams that demonstrate the greatest commitment to spreading passion about science and technology into their communities and schools.
What is your most proud accomplishment as an educator and educational activist? DL: It is a joy to witness the continuous growth of robotics teams in the District of Columbia and to have an impact on female and minority participation in STEM fields. This growth is the result of collaboration in the community, involving schools, government agencies, businesses and colleges/universities. Earning a Master of Science degree in Education was also a great accomplishment, but since I am a life-long learner, it is inevitable that I will continue my education.
Which is your favorite social network, and why? (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Second Life, etc) DL: Facebook, although I do send an occasional tweet, and I have a Second Life account as well. Facebook is easy to use and everything you need is right there. You can write on your wall, send a message, post photographs and videos and send out invitations. I have connected with my family, friends, former co-workers and classmates using Facebook.
Who was your own favorite teacher? Why were they your favorite teacher? DL: My favorite teacher was my AP English teacher, Mr. Rey. He was so cool! He didn't ask us to regurgitate what we read. He asked us what we thought about it and how we could relate it to our own lives. We read and discussed some classics that I will never forget such as Camus, Richard Wright, Dickens. In what ways has NASA been supportive of FIRST Robotics? DL: We love NASA! NASA is a strategic partner of FIRST, and continues to provide grants to our high school teams and sponsored our inaugural DC Regional Competition last year. Like many FIRST sponsors, NASA encourages their employees to volunteer as team mentors and to assist in planning and coordinating regional events.
If FIRST Robotics were to expand and be fully funded, where might the funding come from? DL: President Obama recently announced major initiatives promoting math and science education, especially robotics. We know that these initiatives are critical to solving the challenges that we face as a nation and as citizens of the world. In the meantime, our children are staring at the television dreaming of becoming basketball players and rap stars when they grow up. As FIRST founder Dean Kamen has said over and over again . our culture is entertainment- and sports-obsessed, and we make fun of anything remotely intellectual, academic or technical. To expand FIRST Robotics, it would be great if teams were funded and supported in schools in collaboration with our partners in industry and the community. But we aren't here to change the educational system . we are here to inspire. We need to change the culture - not an easy task, but necessary if we want to improve our quality of life and standard of living. We need inventors, innovators, people who think "outside the box" and people who know how to work and compete "graciously" with others. We need to start celebrating our science and technology heroes. After all, you reap what you sow - you get what you celebrate. By the way, what are you celebrating today? You can get in touch with Denise as follows: Email: dlewis@usfirst.org Facebook: denise.m.lewis1 Twitter: dmlewisusfirst Phone: (301) 814-0331
Phil Shapiro has been involved as an educator and technology access activist in the region since the late 1980's. He finds inspiration in the learning that goes on through afterschool programs, adult literacy organizations, public libraries and organizations bringing music instruction and the arts to children. Phil earned his Juris Doctorate in Law from Howard University and studies Mechanical Engineering and Philosophy at Queen's University. You can read more about Phil at http://www.his.com/~pshapiro/briefbio.html.
Interested in nominating someone to be an upcoming Profile Encourage? Contact Phil at pshapiro@his.com!
