Event
Lockheed Martin Robotics Seminar: Bill Duncan, "FIRST Robotics in MDInspiring STEM Excellence"
Friday, March 8, 2013
2:00 p.m.
1146 A.V. Williams Building
Anagha Kohojkar
301 405 1009
akohojka@umd.edu
Lockheed Martin Robotics Seminar Series
FIRST Robotics in Maryland: Inspiring STEM Excellence
Bill Duncan
Regional Director in Maryland for FIRST
Executive Director, STEMaction, Inc.
Host
Nuno Martins
Abstract
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a non-profit organization that operates sports-like robotics competitions for K-12 students. Its goals are to inspire student interest in technology and engineering, encourage students to enter college and ideally study STEM fields, and for students and adults to have fun and learn together. FIRST reaches more than 300,000 students around the worldmore than 5,000 in Marylandand more than 100,000 volunteers and mentors.
This seminar looks at FIRST activity in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and its growing relationship with the University of Maryland. Duncan will highlight this years FIRST Robotics Competition games coming soon to D.C. and Baltimore, and we will hear from local team members, mentors and alumni about their experience.
Biography
Bill Duncan is regional director in Maryland for FIRST and executive director of STEMaction, Inc. He is responsible for development of all four of FIRSTs Maryland programs: FIRST Robotics Competition (ages 14-18), FIRST Tech Challenge (ages 12-18), FIRST LEGO League (ages 9-14), and Junior FIRST LEGO League (ages 6-8). Prior to joining FIRST as a VISTA (AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America) in 2009, Bill was a marketing consultant with more than 20 years of executive experience in the telecommunications industry, most recently vice president of marketing communications at Spirent Communications, Inc. Bill holds an undergraduate degree from Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service.
