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.
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.
What happens after your team leaves the judging room? In this behind-the-scenes session, Senior Judge Advisor Jessi Brown will demystify the FRC judging process, sharing how judges evaluate teams, deliberate on awards, and what truly makes a team stand out. You'll get insight into how awards are determined, tips for helping students feel confident and prepared, and a better understanding of how gracious professionalism and storytelling impact success. Whether you're new to FRC or looking to fine-tune your team’s award approach, this session offers valuable advice straight from the judging table.
Why build one great team when you can build a family of them? In this forward-looking session, FIRST HQ’s newest Business Development Manager, Isriah Keila, explores the concept of “sibling teams” as a strategy for sustainability and program growth.
Learn how creating FTC and FRC sibling teams—or forming alliances across schools and age groups—can boost retention, leadership development, and community buy-in. Whether you’re from a single-team school or a district with room to grow, this session will help you think expansively about your team’s future.
What separates a good robot from a great one? Often, it’s not just the build—it’s the thinking behind it. In this deep dive, Joey Kerns shares accessible strategies for applying engineering design principles to your team’s approach from kickoff to competition.
Explore how to frame decisions around constraints, goals, and iteration; how to encourage critical reflection; and how to guide students through real-world tradeoffs. Whether your team is rookie or elite, this session equips mentors with the language and tools to embed strategy into every bolt and bracket.
