Vicki is the Programs Director for High Tech Kids in Minnesota, the non-profit organization that organizes and runs robotics tournaments for kids such as FIRST LEGO League. While Vicki doesn’t have a degree in a STEM field herself – she calls her degree in political science the “other” science, Vicki is getting girls into the pipeline for STEM careers. She has been involved with FIRST LEGO League robotics tournaments for over 20 years starting as a parent, then coach, then volunteer, then staff. She is passionate about the programs they create and the opportunities it provides for kids to learn about technology and STEM.
Episode Notes
Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio
Acronyms and Definitions
First Lego League Challenge (FLL) – FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 9-14 (US), 4-16 (globally) through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem solving experience through a guided, global robotics program. (www.firstinspires.org)
Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) – a fuel produced from various types of waste such as municipal solid waste (MSW), industrial waste or commercial waste. (wikipedia)
Nano Technology – manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. A more generalized description of nanotechnology was subsequently established by the National Nanotechnology Initiative, which defines nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers. (wikipedia)
Fact Check
First authors 3 robotics programs: FIRST LEGO League Discover for preK – Grade 1; FIRST LEGO League Explore for Grade 2-4; FIRST LEGO League Challenge for Grade 4-8; FIRST Tech Challenge for grades 7-12; FIRST Robotics Challenge for grades 9-12.
First Lego League is in 41 countries.
First Lego League started in 1999. There is a lot of information about themes in different years, etc. on wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRST_Lego_League_Challenge)
High Tech Kids is a Minnesota nonprofit founded in 1999 that supports
youth STEM programs in Minnesota. High Tech Kids offers high
energy, fun, team-based programs and competitions that celebrate
science and technology. Through these robotics and coding programs
and events, student teams discover the fun in science, engineering
and technology. High Tech Kids is committed to introducing the next generation of
engineers, scientists, computer programmers, technicians, policy
makers and project managers to the challenge and promise of STEM.
High Tech Kids inspires kids to BUILD confidence, CREATE
opportunities and THRIVE in the 21 st century. (hightechkids.org)
Ordinarily Extraordinary 