GEARED UP Mentor Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the GEARED UP: Mentor Conference, where innovation meets inspiration!

Join us on May 17, 2025, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Kossiakoff Center, for a day filled with knowledge-sharing, networking, and empowerment.

We want to hear from you! What topics are most important and critical for you? What topics can you share with the community? Help us program and plan the 2025 conference to be the most impactful yet.

This conference is proudly presented by Aramco America and aims to equip mentors with the tools and insights needed to effectively guide an increasingly diverse generation of students.

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10:00am EDT

All Hands on Bots: Using a Multibot Approach to Foster Inclusion in FLL

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

More bots, more belonging. The Huss Family shares their inclusive model for running FLL teams using a multibot approach that increases hands-on opportunities, encourages student leadership, and accommodates different learning styles and needs.

Whether you’re working with a large team, diverse learners, or a mixed-age group, this session will show how you can scale engagement without losing depth—and build a more equitable team culture in the process.

Speakers

David Huss

56674, FTC, FLL

Kelley N Burd-Huss

57674, FTC, FLL

Julian Huss

2614, 57674, FRC, FLL

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
FLL Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, FLL

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

10:00am EDT

Behind the Scenes with FTC Judging

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Ever wonder how award decisions really happen at FTC events? Jeff Meyers takes you behind the curtain of the judging process—what’s consistent across regions, what’s subjective, and what teams can do to authentically stand out.

This session is ideal for mentors looking to better prepare students for interviews, documentation, and award criteria—without gaming the system or losing the heart of their story.

Speakers

Laurence Meyers

Judge Advisor, Volunteer

Jeff Meyers

Judge Advisor, Volunteer

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
FTC Room

Panel, FTC

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

10:00am EDT

Closing the Gender Gap: Recruitment Strategies that Work

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Representation starts with recruitment—and intentional strategies make all the difference. In this mentor-led session from FTC #18442 Gear Rotation, learn how one team actively recruited girls and nonbinary students, built a supportive team culture, and worked to close the gender gap in STEM.

You’ll leave with replicable ideas, fresh talking points, and insight into how mentorship can shape identity and opportunity.

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Team Management Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, All

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

10:00am EDT

WE NEED YOU: Join a FIRST Advisory Committee

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Want to help shape the future of FIRST in your region? We’re looking for smart, passionate mentors like you to join advisory committees focused on programs, outreach, accessibility, and events.

In this session, Dave, Joey, and Denyse will walk through what these committees actually do, why your voice matters, and how you can get involved. Whether you're a behind-the-scenes strategist or a community cheerleader, there's a seat at the table waiting for you.

Speakers

Denyse Carroll

Robotics and STEM Specialist, Prince William County Public Schools

Joey Kerns

614, 38344, FRC, FLL

Dave Hairston

Board Member, FIRST Tech Challenge Team Advisory Committee

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Outreach Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, Outreach

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

10:00am EDT

XRP in the Classroom: Bringing Robotics to Life During the School Day

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Looking for an affordable, flexible robotics tool you can actually use in class? Meet XRP—a cross-curricular robotics platform built for accessibility, engagement, and real-world skills.

In this session, Lori and Kate show how XRP fits into school-day instruction, aligns with standards, and sparks student creativity. Whether you're an FLL/FTC mentor who's also a teacher, or a district looking to embed more hands-on STEM, you'll walk away with ideas, lesson flow, and implementation tips.

Speakers

Lori Birch

Sr Specialist Education and Workforce Development, FIRST Inspires

Kate Sample

Education Specialist, FIRST Inspires

Content, curriculum, and resource development for the implementation of all FIRST programs.

Saturday May 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Curriculum Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, Curriculum

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

11:00am EDT

Bridging the Gap: Transitioning from FLL to FTC

Saturday May 17, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Moving from FLL to FTC can feel like a leap—but it doesn’t have to be. Join experienced coaches Ryan Rich and Suseendran Natarajan for a down-to-earth conversation about how to guide students (and mentors) through this transition with confidence and continuity.

You’ll learn about timing, training, mindset shifts, and how to preserve what students love about FLL while embracing the exciting challenges of FTC.

Speakers

Ryan Rich

Coach 56720, FRC, FTC, FLL

FIRST Lego League Coach, FRC and FTC mentor and volunteer.

Suseendran Natarajan

FTC

Saturday May 17, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
FLL Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

11:00am EDT

From Gym Floors to Game-Changers: Hosting FIRST Events

Saturday May 17, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Hosting a FIRST event isn’t just about tables and tape—it’s about shaping the culture and visibility of robotics in your region. Join veteran hosts Anne and Farish for a practical and visionary session on what it takes to successfully host FTC and FRC events, especially as we look ahead to opportunities for the 2026–2027 season.

Whether you're curious about what's involved, ready to take the plunge, or just looking to level up your existing event, this session will break it all down: logistics, funding, volunteer coordination, community engagement, and the “why” behind it all.

Speakers

Anne Shade

Director of Operations, FIRST Chesapeake

Farish Perlman

Hospitality Coordinator, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday May 17, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
FRC Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, FRC

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

11:00am EDT

Integrating FIRST-Style Learning in a Formal Curriculum with Learning Pathways

Saturday May 17, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

How can the excitement and creativity of FIRST robotics translate into structured classroom learning? In this session, Lori Birch shares how to integrate FIRST-style project-based learning into formal education settings using clear, scalable learning pathways.

Explore how hands-on challenges, iterative design thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem solving can align with academic standards while keeping the spirit of discovery alive. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or mentor supporting a school partnership, you'll leave with concrete ideas to build meaningful STEM learning experiences that connect the classroom to the competition field—and beyond.

Speakers

Lori Birch

Sr Specialist Education and Workforce Development, FIRST Inspires

Kate Sample

Education Specialist, FIRST Inspires

Content, curriculum, and resource development for the implementation of all FIRST programs.

Saturday May 17, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Curriculum Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

11:00am EDT

SUGO for the Win: Fundraising, Outreach, and Community Engagement

Saturday May 17, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

SUGO (Sumo + LEGO) isn’t just fun—it’s a fundraising and outreach powerhouse. Join Amber and Seelig as they showcase how this lightweight, high-energy competition format can raise dollars, recruit new families, and build buzz in your community.

Learn how to run your own SUGO event, integrate it into open houses or back-to-school nights, and turn a few LEGO bricks into lasting relationships (and revenue). Ideal for FLL and FTC programs looking for approachable fundraising options.

Speakers

Amber Driesman

FLL Explore MD, FIRST Chesapeake

Seelig Sinton

Maryland FIRST Senior Mentor, FIRST Inspires

Saturday May 17, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Fundraising & Planning Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, Fundraising

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

1:00pm EDT

Help! I Signed Up to Be an FLL Coach… What Do I Need to Know?

Saturday May 17, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

If you’re new to FLL and wondering what you just got yourself into—this session is for you. Veteran mentors Marcus and Boyd from the Macro Mentor Core break it down with humor, honesty, and helpful resources for surviving (and thriving) in your first season.

From understanding the season arc to balancing robots, Core Values, and project work, this is your friendly orientation to what matters most and what to leave behind.

Speakers

Marcus Scheiterle

FLL

Boyd Fletcher

Saturday May 17, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
FLL Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, FLL

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

2:00pm EDT

Hosting FLL Explore: Building Community Through Events

Saturday May 17, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Hosting an FLL Explore event is more than just logistics—it’s an opportunity to spark joy, celebrate learning, and welcome new families into the FIRST fold. Amber and Seelig will walk you through how to plan, promote, and pull off a successful Explore event, even if you’re short on space, staff, or budget.

Ideal for rookie hosts or experienced coordinators looking to refresh their approach, this session combines practical advice with a deep love for the youngest members of the FIRST community.

Speakers

Michael Yu

Coach 19458, FTC

Amber Driesman

FLL Explore MD, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday May 17, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
FLL Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, FLL

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

2:00pm EDT

XRP in Summer Camps: STEM Skills Beyond the School Year

Saturday May 17, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Summer is prime time for STEM exploration—and XRP makes it easy to launch robotics camps that are fun, accessible, and aligned with real-world learning. Lori and Kate share how they’ve used XRP to create engaging summer experiences for all skill levels.

Get practical guidance on planning, pacing, supplies, staffing, and how to use XRP to attract new students, retain interest, and even build bridges to FIRST programs in the fall.

Speakers

Lori Birch

Sr Specialist Education and Workforce Development, FIRST Inspires

Kate Sample

Education Specialist, FIRST Inspires

Content, curriculum, and resource development for the implementation of all FIRST programs.

Saturday May 17, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Curriculum Room 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Panel, Curriculum

Host Organization FIRST Chesapeake

3:00pm EDT

Tech Shift: Using PyBricks Instead of SPIKE Prime Software

Saturday May 17, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA

Looking for more control, flexibility, and fun with your FLL programming? In this hands-on technical session, Marcus and Boyd show how to replace SPIKE Prime’s standard coding environment with PyBricks—a Python-based alternative that unlocks new capabilities for LEGO robots.

Learn why and how teams are making the switch, what to watch out for, and how this tool can help curious students level up their coding skills in a more open-ended environment.

Speakers