GEARED UP Mentor Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to GEARED UP 2026: Mentor Conference! Join us at James Madison University’s Festival Conference & Student Center in Harrisonburg, VA, for two days of learning, connection, and community.

You power 10,000+ students across DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. This day is built for YOU. Whether you’re a rookie coach launching your first team or a 20-year veteran looking for fresh ideas, you’ll find sessions, workshops, and conversations designed to sharpen your skills and recharge your passion.

Proudly presented by Aramco Americas. See you in Harrisonburg.

8:00am EDT

Networking Coffee

Saturday August 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Grand Ballroom A (400) @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Saturday August 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom A (400) 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Networking, Mixer

9:00am EDT

Welcome Session from FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Grand Ballroom A (400) @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Join the FIRST Chesapeake team in welcoming you to the 2026 Mentor Conference! President Alex Bryant will highlight the amazing accomplishments of the teams, mentors, and students of our District this past season, and share the goals for the coming year.

Speakers

Alex Bryant

President, FIRST Chesapeake

Alex Bryant is committed to serving his communities. Bryant graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Music and a minor in Biology. He currently works for FIRST Chesapeake, an arm of the International FIRST Inspires, a global robotics community preparing young people... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Grand Ballroom A (400) 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

10:15am EDT

Advocacy When You Can't Be in the Room - Reaching sponsors, legislators, and partners online and in person, for teams that can't always travel.

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT

Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Advocacy is a core part of the FIRST experience, but many teams are not in a position to regularly do in-person outreach with sponsors, legislators, and possible partners. Join Denyse Carroll of FRC Team #2068 shows how to successfully engage in remote outreach as well as face-to-face.

Speakers

Denyse Carroll

Robotics and STEM Specialist, FRC 2068 / FLL 37711 / FLL 61461 / TAC

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Access & Advocacy, Presentation

10:15am EDT

Robot Design Ideas for FLL Founders - Coaches and mentors trade technical strategies and design possibilities for the new season.

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT

Highlands Room (300) FLL @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Join coaches and mentors in exploring the technical possibilities of robot design in FLL Founders.

Speakers

Skip Morrow

Head Coach

Judge advisor for FLL qualification events in VA-DC, and for Regional Championship. 15 year veteran coach.

Kaitlin Ilnitzki

Director, FIRST LEGO League in VA+DC

Kyle Wolfe

FSM

Robbie Munsey

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Highlands Room (300) FLL 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FLL, Panel

10:15am EDT

Strategies for Season Build Process - It’s not my robot, why should I care? - Increasing engineering ownership through the introduction of integrated product teams

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT

Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Join Dr. Andrew Koch, Lead Coach of 836 Robobees, for a case study of a team restructured from traditional skill-based subteams (mechanical, programming, media) into mission-aligned product teams responsible for specific robot mechanisms — game piece acquisition, scoring, handling, end-game, and frame and electrical. Covers the methods used to realign the team, the cultural and engagement...
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Speakers

Andrew Koch

Lead Coach / Engineer, FRC836 / NAWCAD

Dr. Andrew Koch is an engineer and scientist with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, working as a project lead for the Joint Simulation Environment. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Mary's College of Maryland and his Master of Aeronautical Science... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FRC, Presentation

10:15am EDT

FTC Registration, Without the Headache - A live walkthrough of the new FTC registration app: what's changed, how to use it, and the mistakes to skip. See it before your next event cycle.

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT

Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A practical walkthrough of the FTC registration application: what is new, how to use it, and common pitfalls coaches run into. Includes a live demo so attendees can see the system in action before their next event cycle.

Speakers

Bonnie Crites

Senior Program Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Exhibitors

FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FTC, Presentation

10:15am EDT

From $250 to Five Figures: Grant Writing That Works - Find the opportunity, write the application, win the award. For every program and every budget.

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT

Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A workshop on writing successful grants, from identifying opportunities through application to award. Framed explicitly for all budget scales — from small FLL coach grants through five-figure FRC team sponsorships — because the underlying principles are the same regardless of program.

Speakers

Shelly Stoddard

Vice President, FIRST Chesapeake

Exhibitors

FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Fundraising And Planning, Workshop

10:15am EDT

The Care and Feeding of FIRST Alumni - Your most underused resource: keeping grads connected as mentors, donors, and ambassadors.

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT

Conf Room 3 (35) Outreach @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

An overview of a new program area focused on keeping alumni connected and giving back to their FIRST roots. Covers communication strategy, identifying alumni skills that benefit teams, and how alumni can serve as mentors, donors, and ambassadors — positioned as one of the most underutilized resources in the FIRST community.

Speakers

Matt Sanders

Program Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Exhibitors

FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Conf Room 3 (35) Outreach 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Outreach, Panel

10:15am EDT

You Can't Always Win. You Can Always Build Culture. - Concrete moves to build a welcoming, sustainable team, and why they win banners.

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT

Board Dining (40) Team Management @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

DCI Robotics' team mission is to foster a diverse community of excellence in STEM. While on-field excellence is hard to always achieve, positive team culture is largely within the control of mentors. Learn how to take specific, concrete actions to build a sustainable, positive culture that is welcoming to all students. This will directly contribute to on-field success and ties directly into...
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Speakers

Shane Donovan

Director of Career and Technical Education, DC International School

Shane Donovan is the Director of Career and Technical Education at DC International School, a public charter school in DC. He is the lead mentor for the school's robotics program which includes a summer camp, an "Academy" program for new 6th graders, 2 or 3 FTC teams, and FRC team... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Board Dining (40) Team Management 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Presentation

10:15am EDT

Additive Manufacturing On Field and Sea - From Naval Design to your 3D Printer

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT

Allegheny Room (80) Technical @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Curious about what an engineering degree can look like outside the classroom? Engineering is a tool for solving real world problems. In this session, attendees will explore how STEM education can lead to rewarding engineering careers within the U.S. Navy. We’ll share how 3D printing can be used by FIRST robotics student participants to rapidly prototype parts, customize components for better...
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Speakers

Arvin Persaud

Mech Eng, US Navy

Malia Mariano

Mechanical Engineer, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC)

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am EDT
Allegheny Room (80) Technical 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Technical, Presentation

11:30am EDT

She Leads FIRST: Women in STEM - Building confidence and leadership for girls in STEM, and creating team cultures that recruit and keep them, from FLL through FRC

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

An extension of the FIRST Championship Women in STEM panel to a regional audience. The panel applies across every program level — FLL coaches, FTC mentors, and FRC veterans all benefit from hearing how to create inclusive team cultures and recruit and retain women in STEM.

Moderators

DeAnna Williams

Program Manager, Mentorship & SheLeads, Girls with Impact

Speakers

Elise Spontarelli

Executive Director, Vector Space

Elise Spontarelli is co-founder and Executive Director at Vector Space, a community makerspace in Central Virginia. She's made an entrepreneurial career rendering lines, arcs, and polygons. You'll often find Elise giving her designs life by plasma cutting, laser engraving, and screen... Read More →

Mary Thompson

FLL 18610 | FLL 103 | FLL 112 | FLL 58553 | FLL 58554 | FLL 58555 | FTC 8535 | | FTC 8702 | FTC 14691 | FTC 20337 | FTC 22200 | FTC 24179 | FRC 8592, FRC, FTC, FLL

Denyse Carroll

Robotics and STEM Specialist, FRC 2068 / FLL 37711 / FLL 61461 / TAC

Laurie Gray

mentor, FRC 10224

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Access & Advocacy, Panel

11:30am EDT

The Innovation Project: More Than a Score -

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

Highlands Room (300) FLL @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Speak with judges on the FLL Innovation Project judging process. Help your team be prepared for judging, and think about what Innovation is meant to instill.

Speakers

Kaitlin Ilnitzki

Director, FIRST LEGO League in VA+DC

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Highlands Room (300) FLL 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FLL, Presentation

11:30am EDT

Building a Community Team That Lasts - The structural decisions, funding, leadership, and succession, that separate teams that survive from teams that thrive.

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A panel on starting, growing, and sustaining community FRC teams. Surfaces the structural decisions that determine whether a program survives or thrives over the long term.

Speakers

Conaway Haskins

Lead Operations Mentor | VP, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, FRC 9709 & FTC 26054 | VIPC

Tom Milnes

Chief Scientist - Ship and Shore Based Navigation Group, The Johns Hopkins University / Applied Physics Laboratory

Lead Mentor of FIRST Robotics Team 2199 "Robo-Lions"

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FRC, Panel

11:30am EDT

The Road to the Inspire Award - How FTC judges really evaluate teams and how to prepare students authentically for the interview

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Part of a three-session series demystifying the judging process, this installment focuses on FRC. A look behind the curtain at how judges evaluate teams, what is consistent across regions, and what mentors can do to authentically prepare students for interviews, documentation, and awards.

Speakers

Shyanne Chan

Senior Judge Advisor, Chesapeake FIRST Tech Challenge

Shyanne Chan has been involved with FIRST since 2009 as a student, mentor, and volunteer. She currently serves as the Senior Judge Advisor for FIRST Chesapeake. She is passionate about helping students find their voices and creating a judging experience that is fair, consistent, and... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FTC, Presentation

11:30am EDT

Your Brand Could Be Better: Storytelling, Identity & Community Perception

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

Board Dining (40) Team Management @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Your team already has a brand—whether you've worked on it or not. In this honest and energizing session, Jen Kerns explores how mentors can help students define, refine, and elevate how their team is seen by schools, sponsors, and the broader community. Learn how to connect visual identity, mission, and messaging into something authentic and memorable. Whether you're a rookie or a regional...
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Speakers

Jen Kerns

Founder | Coach, Kerning & Contrast LLC | FRC 614

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Board Dining (40) Team Management 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Presentation

11:30am EDT

The New Control System: What's Coming and When - The unified FTC and FRC platform launching 2027-28, and what coaches should plan for now while testing is underway.

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

Allegheny Room (80) Technical @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

An overview of the new unified control system that will bring a shared software and hardware experience to FTC starting in 2027-28. Covers what is changing, how it ties into the parallel FRC transition, and what coaches should be planning for now while alpha and beta testing is still underway.

Speakers

Kyle Wolfe

FSM

Phil Malone

Founder, GEARS Inc.

My career focus has always been in embedded computing. I spent the 90's designing operator controls for deep water ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) that culminated in a HMS Titanic adventure. I followed this with a decade of developing IOT systems for monitoing alternate-energy... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Allegheny Room (80) Technical 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Technical, Panel

1:30pm EDT

Pseudo-speak: Talking About Code in Human Language

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Allegheny Room (80) Technical @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

This session explores how mentors and robotics educators can make coding more accessible by talking about code in clear human language before focusing on programming syntax. Rather than asking students to immediately navigate language-specific rules, this approach helps them first explain what the code is doing, why it works, and how the logic unfolds step by step. Similar to pseudocode but more...
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Speakers

Perry Shank

Chief Learning Officer, CodeVA

Perry Shank is the Chief Learning Officer at CodeVA, Inc., where he leads work in computer science education, curriculum design, educator learning, AI education, and K–12 systems change. His background includes experience as an elementary teacher, art and music teacher, and K–12... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Allegheny Room (80) Technical 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

common

1:30pm EDT

FLL BIOGLOW Preview (Futures | Founders)

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Festival Drum (Expo Hall + Demos) @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A first look at the upcoming FLL season, with practical coverage of both the Founders and Future editions running in parallel. Covers which edition to run, equipment and budget implications, and how to communicate the changes to parents and schools — context every FLL coach needs heading into the season.

Speakers

Kaitlin Ilnitzki

Director, FIRST LEGO League in VA+DC

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Festival Drum (Expo Hall + Demos) 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Expo and Demos, Presentation

1:30pm EDT

The Road to the Champion's Award - How FLL judges evaluate Core Values and the Innovation Project, with practical prep for coaches.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Highlands Room (300) FLL @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A third installment of the judging series, focused on FLL: Core Values evaluation, Innovation Project assessment, and practical guidance for coaches preparing teams for competition. Completes a cross-program set so mentors who attend multiple sessions get a full picture of how judging works across FIRST.

Speakers

Kaitlin Ilnitzki

Director, FIRST LEGO League in VA+DC

Robbie Munsey

Skip Morrow

Head Coach

Judge advisor for FLL qualification events in VA-DC, and for Regional Championship. 15 year veteran coach.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Highlands Room (300) FLL 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FLL, Presentation

1:30pm EDT

FRC Judging - How FRC judges evaluate teams, straight answers on transparency and consistency, and how to prep students for interviews and award submissions.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Part of a three-session series demystifying the judging process, this installment focuses on FRC. Covers how judges evaluate teams, addresses transparency and consistency concerns directly, and gives mentors insight to better prepare students for interviews and award submissions.Come learn about the FRC Judging process and what happens in the room. We will spend roughly 30% of the time...
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Speakers

Jessi Brown

Sr. Automation Engineer and FRC JA, Merck

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FRC, Presentation

1:30pm EDT

From Kitbot to Machine Shop - When custom parts beat off-the-shelf, what they make possible, and how FTC 20194 JackBots built machining into their design process.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

The Kitbot is a great way to start for any team, but it does not have to be the end! Join mentors from FTC 20194 JackBots see how one team developed their build and design process from out-of-the-box to a custom ride!

Speakers

Alicen Adkins

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FTC, Presentation

1:30pm EDT

Agile/Scrum Product Managment: Applying Project Management to Build & Competition Seasons

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Efficient project management only gets more vital as team sizes grow and pressure mounts. Explore how readily available software like Monday.com can improve your team's project management and lead to a smoother, more productive build season! Join Ryan Mosse, and FIRST alumnus, for an introduction and AMA

Speakers

Ryan Mosse

Assistant Lead Mentor, TALON 540

I lead the technical mentors on TALON 540. I mentor our students in project and people management, oversee communication and software use, and support the programming and CAD subgroups.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Fundraising And Planning, Panel

1:30pm EDT

Your Team in 30 Seconds - A repeatable pitch framework that works on sponsors, school boards, parents, or a stranger in an elevator, and that you can teach your students to deliver.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A practical session on crafting a compelling, concise pitch for your team — whether the audience is a potential sponsor, a school board, a parent, or a stranger in an elevator. Focus is on a repeatable framework that mentors can teach to students.

Speakers

Laurie Gray

mentor, FRC 10224

Alex Bryant

President, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Fundraising And Planning, Presentation

1:30pm EDT

There's a Seat at the Table - FRC and FTC advisory committee members on what these groups actually do, why your voice matters, and how to join, whether you're a strategist or a community cheerleader.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

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, members of the FRC and FTC TACs 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...
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Speakers

Denyse Carroll

Robotics and STEM Specialist, FRC 2068 / FLL 37711 / FLL 61461 / TAC

Joey Kerns

Educational Specialist, Robotics & Engineering | Coach, Fairfax County Public Schools | FRC 614

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Outreach, Panel

1:30pm EDT

Your Team Is Your Volunteer Pipeline - Every program runs on volunteers, and teams are the strongest engine for finding them. Join FCH and volunteer leaders on building a culture of volunteerism that keeps your program strong at home.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Conf Room 3 (35) Outreach @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

All of our programs run on the dedicated labor of volunteers. Volunteers come from every facet of community, but the first and strongest engine of building that corps are the teams. Discuss with FCH and volunteer leaders how we can build a culture of volunteerism around your team, and keep the program strong at home!

Speakers

Shelly Stoddard

Vice President, FIRST Chesapeake

Jen Kerns

Founder | Coach, Kerning & Contrast LLC | FRC 614

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Conf Room 3 (35) Outreach 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Outreach, Panel

1:30pm EDT

Community Teams, Shared Solutions - Vector Space shares hard data on rural recruitment and practice-field access, then we open the floor to swap strategies and pool resources. Bring your challenges.

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Board Dining (40) Team Management @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Vector Space will share the results of our FRC team data collection as it pertains to recruitment and practice field assets. Following the presentation we would like to have a discussion with community teams. The goal of the meetup is to identify solutions, streamline strategies, and consolidate resources to help strengthen teams that share some of the same struggles.

Speakers

Adam Spontarelli

Facilities Manager & Director of Education, Vector Space

Adam began his career as a Mechanical Engineer in the Nuclear Industry, modeling the flow of fluid and heat through pipes and debris, around baffles and impellers, across differing liquids, gasses, and solids. If the laws of Thermodynamics seemed to misbehave and joules of energy... Read More →

Elise Spontarelli

Executive Director, Vector Space

Saturday August 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Board Dining (40) Team Management 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Panel

2:45pm EDT

Beyond the Robot: Building Meaningful Community Partnerships Through Outreach

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT

Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Successful FIRST teams do more than build robots—they build relationships. This session explores practical strategies for creating sustainable outreach programs that strengthen community connections, increase team visibility, and expand opportunities for students. Participants will learn how to identify potential partners, develop mutually beneficial relationships with schools, businesses, civic...
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Speakers

Geoff Estes

CTE Supervisor, Harrisonburg City Public Schools

Geoffray Estes serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Supervisor for Harrisonburg City Public Schools and is the Immediate Past-President of the Virginia Technology and Engineering Educators Association (VTEEA). Over the course of nearly three decades in education, he... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Access & Advocacy, Presentation

2:45pm EDT

The Art of Effective Teamwork Challenges

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT

Board Dining (40) Team Management @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

We've all built the marshmallow spaghetti tower, but how do we go beyond that? What are the big lessons we can learn from little challenges? This session focuses on designing and showcasing teamwork challenges that encourage:Creative thinkingTeamworkEffective communication skillsUsing technologySelf reflection"These are positively evil" -A review from a satisfied team member after one of...
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Speakers

Ethan Bass

CAD, Drafting, and Engineering Teacher, Montgomery County (VA) Public Schools

An FLL student turned FTC turned FRC turned Mentor turned Coach turned Mechanical Engineer turned Teacher all before 30!
Head Coach of the FTC team 4924, the Red Beard Pandas and a major fan of teamwork and Gracious Professionalism.
FIRST works best when we all work together... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
Board Dining (40) Team Management 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

common

2:45pm EDT

Building the FLL to FTC Pipeline - Students never outgrow FIRST - stay involved from program to program.

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT

Highlands Room (300) FLL @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Strategies and lessons learned for moving students from FLL into FTC. Covers the timing, the skills gap to plan for, communication with parents and feeder schools, and the structural decisions that make the pipeline work consistently.

Speakers

Ryan Rich

Events & Volunteer Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
Highlands Room (300) FLL 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FLL, Presentation | FTC, Presentation

2:45pm EDT

CANCELED: Vision and Autonomous That Actually Work - Vision systems, autonomous routines, and AprilTags for both FTC and FRC

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Unfortunately, due to a presenter cancellation, this session has had to be canceled. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

A panel on vision systems, autonomous routines, and AprilTag use cases, deliberately framed for both FRC and FTC audiences. Covers what actually works on the field from coaches who have made it work.

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FTC, Panel | FRC, Panel

2:45pm EDT

Scenario Planning for Nonprofit Leaders - Building Resilience and Sustaining Impact

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT

Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

No matter how good your robot is, managing the team accounts will always be a critical part of your job as a mentor. Sit down with a representative from YPTC Non Profit Accounting Services to run down the basics of maintaining, managing, and documenting a healthy financial base for your team.Learning Objectives: 1. Illustrate and define strategies for building scenario plans that can help your...
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Speakers

Patti Withington

Director, YPTC Non Profit Accounting Services

I am a Director with YPTC. I first joined YPTC in 2011 as an Associate and then made the switch in 2014 to lead YPTC’s sales activities until 2017, when I left to become CEO of a local Boys & Girls Club, a youth development nonprofit. I returned to YPTC in 2023 and assumed my current... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Fundraising And Planning, Presentation

2:45pm EDT

This is Not a Strategy Presentation: Building Student Careers in Data Science

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT

Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

As FIRST mentors, we strive to build students who are excellent outside of it, especially as STEM-literate professionals. When it comes to designing, building, and programming a robot, we tend to strongly link what students do to potential future careers. We're less successful at that when it comes to data collection, pipelines, and analysis. Adding that dimension to your program can help more...
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Speakers

Gabriel Krotkov

Statistician, FDA

Statistician & Machine Learning developer, working for the Food and Drug Administration. FRC student since 2014, event volunteer since 2022, and mentor since 2023. Current mentor for FRC 449 and 4821.

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Panel

2:45pm EDT

Coding in the age of GPT and Claude - Do's and Dont's

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT

Allegheny Room (80) Technical @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

This talk is designed for students aged 8–16, mentors, and educators, and explores both the opportunities and risks of coding in the AI era. Through relatable examples and interactive discussion, the session will demonstrate how AI can accelerate learning, lower barriers to innovation, and empower students to build projects earlier than ever before. Equally important, the talk will emphasize the...
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Speakers

Sairam Geethanath

Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University

I am an Assistant Professor of Radiology and Radiological Science at Johns Hopkins University, mentoring kids for FLL Discovery and Explore since 2019-2020. I am passionate about AI and robotics.

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
Allegheny Room (80) Technical 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Technical, Presentation

4:00pm EDT

FLL Unconference

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Highlands Room (300) FLL @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

An unconference for FLL coaches: participant-driven, with content emerging from the room. Particularly valuable given the LEGO Education transition and the documented isolation FLL coaches feel at mentor conferences nationally, this is a chance to compare notes with peers.

Moderators

Kaitlin Ilnitzki

Director, FIRST LEGO League in VA+DC

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Highlands Room (300) FLL 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FLL, Unconference

4:00pm EDT

FRC Unconference

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

An unconference for FRC mentors: participant-driven, with the agenda set in the room based on what the community most wants to discuss. Skilled facilitation captures themes and surfaces concrete takeaways for attendees and the FCH community.

Moderators

Matt Sanders

Program Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FRC, Unconference

4:00pm EDT

FTC Unconference

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

An unconference for FTC mentors: participant-driven, with the agenda set in the room. Designed to give the FTC community room to discuss what is most pressing right now, with facilitation capturing themes for the closing plenary.

Moderators

Bonnie Crites

Senior Program Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FTC, Unconference

4:00pm EDT

GEARED UP FTC / STEM HUBS in Your Neck of the Woods - Connecting with FCH parternships and STEM Hubs in your area.

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Information on FCH partnership with regional FTC and STEM Hub initiatives, including what resources are available in different parts of the district and how teams can plug in.

Speakers

Shelly Stoddard

Vice President, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FTC, Panel

4:00pm EDT

Parent Involvement: More Than Just Snacks (but also, Snacks) - Strategies to build support from your team's closest supporters. The volunteers are coming from inside the house!

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Conf Room 3 (35) Outreach @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A discussion of how to get and keep parents productively involved with a team — and how to manage parent culture when it becomes a source of negativity. Join other mentors to tackle the challenges to building a stronger team/family culture

Speakers

Denyse Carroll

Robotics and STEM Specialist, FRC 2068 / FLL 37711 / FLL 61461 / TAC

Henry Bass

FTC 4924, FRC, FTC, FLL

See us online at FIRSTnrv.com

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Conf Room 3 (35) Outreach 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Outreach, Panel

4:00pm EDT

Culture as Competitive Advantage: Positive Practices That Fit Your Team

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team culture isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s a strategic lever that shapes goals like retention, performance, and creativity. Pulling from the field of Positive Organizational Psychology, this session offers a framework for identifying what your team needs and choosing practices that fit your context.

Speakers

Alicia Haun

Program Coordinator, FIRST Chesapeake

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Presentation

4:00pm EDT

Embracing the Kaizen - How Continuous Improvement Can Turn a Small Dog Into a Much Larger One

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Board Dining (40) Team Management @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

“Embracing the Kaizen” shows how small, daily improvements can transform a FIRST team. Kaizen means continuous, incremental growth—focusing on getting a little better every day. Leon Pryor has used this approach to build strong teams from minimal resources, turning consistent small wins in design, culture, and process into major long-term success.

Speakers

Leon Pryor

President and Co-Founder / Lead Mentor FRC 8280, Motor City Alliance / FRC 8280

Leon Pryor is the co-founder and President of the Motor City Alliance and Lead Coach of FRC Team 8280 (K9.0 Robotics), based at The School at Marygrove in Detroit. In just four years, he built K9.0 into a Michigan State Championship Division winner and guided the team to the FIRST... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Board Dining (40) Team Management 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Presentation

4:00pm EDT

AI Awareness: A Use & Case Study for Scouting

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Allegheny Room (80) Technical @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

This presentation will take a close look at Artificial Intelligence and how it relates to scouting. Human scouting and a few of the websites used daily for stats have weak spots and this will inform how to shore up those weaknesses It will teach people how to approach the topics of scouting and AI from an interdisciplinary mindset, how to be good custodians of AI, and how to use it. This...
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Speakers

Alex White

FRC Assistant Coach, Hanover County Public Schools

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Allegheny Room (80) Technical 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Technical, Presentation

4:30pm EDT

Networking Happy Hour At Ruby's Arcade

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:30pm - 6:45pm EDT

Bar + Arcade @ 165 S Main St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Unwind and Engage at Ruby's Arcade - 165 S Main St #100b, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Saturday August 8, 2026 4:30pm - 6:45pm EDT
Bar + Arcade 165 S Main St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Networking, Mixer

9:00am EDT

Program Team Office Hours

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Open office hours with the FCH programs team — drop in for an org-chart walkthrough, registration help, contact-routing questions, or open Q&A. Not a session in the traditional sense; a standing resource throughout the day for mentors who want direct access to staff.

Speakers

Matt Sanders

Program Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Bonnie Crites

Senior Program Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Alicia Haun

Program Coordinator, FIRST Chesapeake

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Conf Room 4 (40) Access & Advocacy 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

9:00am EDT

FLL BIOGLOW Preview REPEAT (Futures | Founders)

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Festival Drum (Expo Hall + Demos) @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

An encore presentation of Saturday's session - A first look at the upcoming FLL season, with practical coverage of both the Founders and Future editions running in parallel. Covers which edition to run, equipment and budget implications, and how to communicate the changes to parents and schools — context every FLL coach needs heading into the season.

Speakers

Kaitlin Ilnitzki

Director, FIRST LEGO League in VA+DC

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Festival Drum (Expo Hall + Demos) 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Expo and Demos, Presentation

9:00am EDT

DEEP DIVE: FRC Season Planning and Build Process Workshop

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A working deep dive on FRC season planning: attendees build their own season calendar, set milestones, and assign roles during the session. The most consistently requested FRC topic nationally — bring your laptop and leave with a concrete plan.

Speakers

Joey Kerns

Educational Specialist, Robotics & Engineering | Coach, Fairfax County Public Schools | FRC 614

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FRC, Panel

9:00am EDT

FTC Resource Roundup - Tools abound to make a sucessfull team. Dig deep!

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

There are all sorts of resources and opportunities out there for new and returning mentors - but where are they? Join Shelly as we break down where the good stuff is hidden, from FTC SIM's game simulation to the Geared Up mentor program and beyond!

Speakers

Shelly Stoddard

Vice President, FIRST Chesapeake

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom C (220) FTC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FTC, Panel

9:00am EDT

The Ask: Sponsor Prospecting, Cold Outreach, and How To Find the Funding

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Board Dining (40) Team Management @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A complement to the grant writing session: how to identify potential sponsors, build a cold outreach approach, and structure the ask. Grants are institutional and sponsors are relational — this session covers the relational side and the mistakes the presenter wishes they had avoided.

Speakers

Alex Bryant

President, FIRST Chesapeake

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Board Dining (40) Team Management 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Fundraising And Planning, Presentation

9:00am EDT

DEEP DIVE: First-Year Mentor Bootcamp - Experiences from the Pit to make it to Second-Year Mentor

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A first-year mentor bootcamp covering the unwritten rules, the seasonal rhythm, and the places to find help that formal training does not always cover. Equally important, it gives new mentors a peer cohort and a way to stay connected after the conference ends.

Speakers

Ryan Rich

Events & Volunteer Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Kyle Wolfe

FSM

Shane Donovan

Director of Career and Technical Education, DC International School

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Panel

9:00am EDT

Barriers and Bridges – A Strategic Approach to Having a Real Impact - Don't just win Impact, develop a team that's Impactfull

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Allegheny Room (80) Technical @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Talking about your Impact is great – but how do you actually have a *real* impact? In this session, we'll tackle crafting a useful mission statement to guide your work, as well as learn about how the Barriers and Bridges protocol is used to build impactful outreach programs. This long-form session will help teach you how to discuss and evolve programs using a solutions-oriented mindset to build...
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Speakers

Isriah Keila

Coach | Business Development Manager, FRC 321 RoboLancers | FIRST Inspires

Isriah Keila is a Business Development Manager at FIRST, supporting the growth of FTC and FRC programs across Western PA, FIRST Mid-Atlantic, and FIRST Chesapeake. A proud alum of FLL Jr., FLL Challenge, FTC, and FRC, he has spent the past five years coaching FRC Team 321, the RoboLancers... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Allegheny Room (80) Technical 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Technical, Presentation

10:00am EDT

CANCLED - Decomposing FIRST Design Challenges for Student Ownership

Sunday August 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

One of the most important early steps in approaching design is helping students make sense of the challenge before rushing into solutions. This session explores how mentors and educators can support teams in breaking down the challenge, identifying key problems to solve, and moving into prototyping in ways that keep students at the center of the process. The focus is on creating structures for...
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Speakers

Jon Stapleton

Product Development Lead, CodeVA

Jon Stapleton is the Product Development Lead for CodeVA and has spent the past seven years leading and coaching robotics teams as both a teacher and mentor, including supporting teams in Harrisonburg City Public Schools. He previously served as a computer science teacher in HCPS... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

common

11:00am EDT

Student Mental Health: Knowing When Your Team May Need Help

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A session on student mental health awareness for mentors — recognizing signs of burnout and stress in students, creating psychologically safe team cultures, and knowing when and how to escalate concerns. Mentors are often the frontline for student wellbeing and this session aims to equip them with the tools to prevent issues where possible and get their students help when needed.

Speakers

Kristin Gallagher

CEO and Co-Founder, MK Leadership

Kristin Gallagher is a passionate advocate for youth wellbeing and emotional safety, Kristin equips educators, leaders, parents, and communities with practical tools to recognize warning signs, strengthen human connection, and create environments where people feel seen, supported... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Presentation

11:00am EDT

FIRST in Class - Class and Curriculum or Club and Activity, what fits on your camps

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A panel on team structures within schools — after school club versus classroom-embedded versus other models — and the trade-offs of each. Surfaces the structural decisions that determine whether a program survives and how to choose the right model for your school or community context.

Speakers

Shane Donovan

Director of Career and Technical Education, DC International School

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Curriculum, Panel

11:00am EDT

DEMO

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Festival Drum (Expo Hall + Demos) @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Festival Drum (Expo Hall + Demos) 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Expo and Demos, Demo

11:00am EDT

DEEP DIVE: The Future of FLL — LEGO Education Transition & BioGlow Season Planning) - What will the new ecosystem looke like from Bioglow and beyond.

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Highlands Room (300) FLL @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A working session on the future of FLL: navigating the LEGO Education transition, planning for the BioGlow season, and the path forward as FIRST develops its own K-8 programming.

Speakers

Kaitlin Ilnitzki

Director, FIRST LEGO League in VA+DC

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Highlands Room (300) FLL 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FLL, Presentation

11:00am EDT

DEEP DIVE: Building a Team That Outlasts You - Succession & Sustainability for generations of students

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A deep dive on building a team that outlasts any individual mentor: succession planning, institutional knowledge transfer, mentor recruiting pipelines, and team identity that survives departures. For mentors thinking three to five years ahead.

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom B (275) FRC 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FRC, Panel

11:00am EDT

Intro Workshop to FRC's most dreaded robot components: bumpers

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom A (400) @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Join Vector Space FRC team leaders Adam and Elise Spontarelli for a hands-on building session. Adam and Elise run a community makerspace, where teaching hands-on skills is at the heart of their mission. In this session we're tackling one of FRC's most dreaded robot components: bumpers. We will walk you through intentional bumper design, material choice, best practices for fabrication, and the...
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Speakers

Adam Spontarelli

Facilities Manager & Director of Education, Vector Space

Elise Spontarelli

Executive Director, Vector Space

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom A (400) 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

FRC, Workshop

11:00am EDT

PROGRAMS TEAM OFFICE HOURS with Bonnie, Matt, and Alicia

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Conf Room 1 @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Open office hours with the FCH programs team — drop in for an org-chart walkthrough, registration help, contact-routing questions, or open Q&A. A standing resource throughout the day for mentors who want direct access to staff.

Speakers

Matt Sanders

Program Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Bonnie Crites

Senior Program Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Alicia Haun

Program Coordinator, FIRST Chesapeake

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Conf Room 1

FRC, Unconference | FTC, Unconference | FLL, Unconference

11:00am EDT

Getting Back Up: The Use of Failure in the Process

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Allegheny Room (80) Technical @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Every team wants to win, but even the most competitive have plenty of failures along the way. Join mentors to discuss how to foster a team culture that embraces and learns from failure as much as success.

Moderators

Shelly Stoddard

Vice President, FIRST Chesapeake

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Allegheny Room (80) Technical 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Panel

11:00am EDT

Life of a Large Team - Managing Team Growth - Make a space for every student without diluting the experience

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Board Dining (40) Team Management @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A presentation on running mega-sized teams of 100+ students — subteam management, leadership layers, facility logistics, budget at scale, and engagement strategies that keep students from falling through the cracks. A case study from a program that has scaled successfully, and multiple strategies to consider.

Speakers

Isriah Keila

Coach | Business Development Manager, FRC 321 RoboLancers | FIRST Inspires

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Board Dining (40) Team Management 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Panel

11:45am EDT

Preventing Mentor Burnout: Yes, We're Talking About You! - Strategies and considerations to keep mentors at their best when the season gets tough.

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT

Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A discussion of how mentors retain themselves and avoid burnout, drawing on the wider community conversation about why mentor roles can feel like a second unpaid job. Practical tools and peer perspectives for sustaining a long-term commitment to a team.

Speakers

Kristin Gallagher

CEO and Co-Founder, MK Leadership

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT
Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Presentation

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