Before heading to Georgia Tech in the fall of 2024, I will be taking a gap year to volunteer with STEM Inspires, an amazing non-profit which introduces robotics and STEM education to middle and high school students in Rwanda.

STEM Inspires was established by my FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teammate in 2022 to enable a new generation of aspiring engineers in Rwanda. Through the use of FIRST robotics programs as the basis for its outreach and education, STEM Inspires has already created 35 new FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams, launched Rwanda’s inaugural FLL national championship, and helped engage hundreds of students and mentors in advancing STEM education.

But there’s a lot more work to be done! With the tremendous interest around these efforts, there is a unique opportunity right now for this work to benefit not just the current Rwandan students but to have a long-term, sustainable impact on Rwandan education and increase the country’s overall population of STEM professionals.

How Can I Help?

In addition to helping expand the middle school FLL program that was successfully launched last year, I will also be working with the Rwandan government and schools to start the first FTC programs in the country. FTC, or FIRST Tech Challenge, is a high school robotics program and is the direct next step for the kids on the Rwandan FLL teams. My roles in establishing these FTC programs will be the following:

  • Help set up a centralized FTC makerspace in Kigali
  • Train the first round of FTC teams in programming and CADing for the 2023/24 season
  • Work with and train the local mentors and coaches so they are prepared to lead a self-sustaining program for years to come

I also hope to design and develop a training simulator that could be used for the new Rwandan teams and for any new FTC team anywhere.

My Background

I have participated in FLL and FTC robotics since the 7th grade and these programs have completely changed my life. I cannot imagine where I would be today without those incredible team-based experiences, so it will be a great privilege to help bring those opportunities to kids in Rwanda. As a founding member, captain, and mechanical lead of the Brickwolves (FLL) and Wolfpack Machina (FTC), I am eager to share everything I learned in helping to launch my own school's successful robotics programs!

Links & References

Robotics and STEM Outreach in Rwanda