In high school, my involvement with 3D printing and fabrication expanded into participation on Columbia High School’s FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics teams. Competition experience included Team 4102 during sophomore and senior years and Team 7959 during junior year, contributing to multiple stages of robot development and hands-on experience in collaborative engineering and problem-solving within a competitive setting.
My involvement progressed into a leadership role as Head of Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing, overseeing fabrication workflows and ensuring the effective use of 3D printers and machining resources. In addition to supporting robot construction, responsibilities included mentoring rookie freshmen by teaching fundamental building techniques, tool safety, and design principles, helping develop a strong foundation for new team members and strengthening the team’s long-term success.