An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article Display

STEM outreach volunteers answer call to mentor FIRST robotics teams

  • Published
  • By Thomas Worsdale
  • Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst engineers Dr. James Hing and Matthew DeFelice will spend countless evening and weekend hours over the next two months mentoring two high school FIRST Robotics teams, in hopes of again going to the World Championship competition. FIRST, which stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology," is a national organization with a mission to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders. It is designed to engage them in exciting mentor-based programs that foster well-rounded life capabilities to include problem solving, self-confidence and communication.

Hing and DeFelice have served for several years as outreach volunteers within NAWCAD in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) initiative that works with elementary, middle and high school students to encourage their interest and participation in the sciences.

Last year Hing mentored Team "Storm," a combined team from Lenape and Cherokee High Schools in Burlington County N.J., to a first place finish in both the district and regional competitions, and 15th place at the World Championship competition in St Louis, MO.

After receiving his PhD from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA in Mechanical Engineering, Hing joined Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Lakehurst, N.J. to focus his expertise on the Navy's mission of increasing the use of robotics in support of aircraft operations aboard carriers. He has worked at NAVAIR for four years and also serves as an adjunct professor at Lakehurst's on-site Drexel graduate programs for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

"I really appreciate NAVAIR's total support for educational outreach initiatives like FIRST Robotics. It gives engineers working in industry and government an opportunity to influence our future generation of young engineers," said Hing.

DeFelice, a graduate of Steinert High School (Hamilton High East) in Mercer County N.J., has been mentoring the school's robotics team "Zero Gravity" since their establishment in 2006. Under DeFelice's guidance, Zero Gravity has had many successes over the years, including two years ago when they were top contenders in both the district and regional competitions and advanced to the World Championship.

He has worked for NAVAIR for six years and is a graduate of Rutgers University, N.J., with a degree in mechanical engineering, and an aerospace engineering certificate. DeFelice will shortly complete his Master's degree in mechanical engineering at Lakehurst's on-site Drexel graduate program.

DeFelice, who works in the Aircraft Launch and Recovery (ALRE) Mark 7 Arresting Gear branch, feels very fortunate to be able to give back to his high school alma mater. "I hope that my involvement with my high school's FIRST Team will help to encourage some of the students to pursue careers in science and engineering down the road," stated DeFelice.

For DeFelice and Hing, leaving their homes on these frigid Saturday mornings in January and February has become a family affair. Their spouses, Serena and Lauren, also lend a hand supporting and mentoring the two teams in an effort to inspire the next generation of science and technology leaders.

Both DeFelice and Hing agree that mentoring is well worth the effort. Often times they hear from fellow engineers that they would like to mentor if only they had the time. These two hold down full-time jobs with the Navy, one teaches in the evenings, the other is working on an advanced degree, both are raising young families, have working spouses and are maintaining their homes. Yet they find the time to spend free evenings and Saturdays supporting their FIRST teams.

As DeFelice aptly states, "I guess the takeaway is, if you want to mentor, do it because you believe in the mission and because you truly care. The work is hard, but the rewards are great. "

For information on FIRST, go to http://www.usfirst.org/ and to learn more about becoming a mentor to a FIRST robotics team in your area, contact your local Education Outreach Coordinator or Gaetan Mangano at 732-323-2899 or gaetan.mangano@navy.mil.