“Organized chaos” is one way Ryan Cahoon describes his Tuesday nights during the academic year. Cahoon, a computer science major, volunteers with the McKeesport Area High School and Technology Center robotics team, which competes in FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
Patricia DePra, the regional director for FIRST®, said that college students are extremely valuable to the program. Supported by a strong network of sponsors and volunteers, FIRST® provides four programs: the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) and the FIRST® Tech Challenge for Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18); the FIRST® LEGO League (FLL) for Grades 4-8 (ages 9-14); and the Junior FIRST® LEGO® League for Grades K-3 (ages 6-9).
“College students are a very valuable resource for high school students in the FIRST® program,” DePra said, “not only with the robotics experience, but with the college experience. High school students who might not have considered college have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with exceptional students like Ryan. This can, and does, change students’ career paths.”
The program focuses on helping participants gain self-confidence, develop skills and discover potential career paths. For Cahoon, who has volunteered with the McKeesport club for the past two years, it’s a way to give back. The Seattle native made two trips to the international championship event as a high school student.
“That was really special. Having 20,000 people that are all in the one area, enthusiastic about the same thing you are, up in the stands cheering was amazing,” Cahoon said. “You just have all this support around you, and you know that there’s actually a part of this program that’s beyond my little bubble. It’s something that I hope the kids would be able to experience at McKeesport.”
Mike Dischner coaches the McKeesport team and said Cahoon has taken the team to new heights and opened the eyes of the students to what they can achieve.
“For someone like Ryan to spend the time that he does with an urban school that’s not fancy and doesn’t have a lot of money, I can’t express how lucky we are to have him,” Dischner said. “He chooses to keep coming back. What he gives to these students is invaluable.”
McKeesport qualified for the championships in its rookie season in 2005. Since then, they’ve been focused on a return trip. Cahoon said this year was a great experience for them as they stretched their talents with a more ambitious design. The robots can be as large as 5 feet in height and weigh as much as 120 pounds.
Dischner agreed.
“Over the summer we’re going to continue to grow,” Dischner said. “If we have enough money, we’re going to build some parts ahead of time and build some manipulators and drive systems and try things out. We’re going to try and get some preparation for the season. We’ve never been able to do that before.”