Science teacher Douglas Albrecht and junior XiaXia Saavedra recently received FIRST Robotics Competition Regional Awards.

While most of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) awards are team-based, two are for individuals: the Woodie Flowers Award and the Dean's List Award. Mr. Albrecht, an adviser to the Engineering Club and Ossining O-Bots Robotics Team, received the Woodie Flowers Award for the Hudson Valley Region. XiaXia got a Dean's List Award for the New York City region. She was one of 14 Dean's List winners in New York.

The Woodie Flowers Finalist Award recognizes mentors who inspire students through the art and science of engineering and design. Students nominate mentors in each region. One regional winner is selected worldwide for the Championship Woodie Flowers Award.

"Woodie Flowers was a professor at MIT, co-founder of FIRST Robotics, and one of the kindest, most inspirational people I've ever been lucky enough to meet," Mr. Albrecht said. "He passed away last fall. I'm honored to have my name in the same sentence as his."

In announcing the award in an email, the judges wrote that Mr. Albrecht "has lived and promoted the ideals of FIRST.

"He may know the answer to the questions outright but always challenges the students to seek their own solutions. Through his guidance and knowledge, he has served as a role model for many students who now pursue engineering fields," they said.

Mr. Albrecht said XiaXia is one of the outstanding leaders of Team 4122 and he is proud of her for winning the Dean's List Award.

Each team nominates two students as Dean's List Semifinalists each year. In addition to XiaXia, Ossining nominated junior Michael Pavelchek. FIRST selected winners based on interviews, which were conducted online this year due to COVID-19.

"It is such a challenge picking only two candidates as our nominees," Mr. Albrecht said, adding that Ossining has had seven finalists since 2014. "There are so many hard-working students on the team who would be excellent candidates for the award."

Students are selected for the award based on academic performance, commitment to the team, robotic building skills, leadership and community service. "XiaXia and Michael are both the embodiment of these traits and are leaders on the team, and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future," Mr. Albrecht said.

In their essay nominating XiaXia, the Ossining team described her as "one of the leaders and driving forces for Team 4122." She joined the team as a freshman, working on the mechanical design team training program in addition to the FIRST Robotics Competition robot. As a sophomore, XiaXia was captain of Team 7004, the development team for freshmen and sophomores.

"This team was meant to be a chance for the younger students to learn without being bumped aside by older students, but no one told Xia," the essay said. "She learned the ropes at her first competition and led her team to be ranked #7 and 5 alliance captain at NYC Regional last year."

This year, XiaXia was Team 4122 secretary. She learned to work with bigger groups and expand her knowledge of mechanical systems, game strategy and communicating with sponsors. She continued her involvement in the mechanical department and taught younger students to fill her shoes. She also led a team of six students in preparing awards submissions and taught coding to elementary students during Hour of Code last fall.

"Her work in outreach and with elementary school students is typical of her attitude towards promoting STEM and ensuring the next generation of students gets to experience FIRST," the essay said.

Outside of robotics, XiaXia is a leader in the school community. She plays varsity softball and is a member of the National Honor Society and other clubs. She has a 99.5 cumulative GPA and takes AP and SUNY classes. She is investigating genetic engineering and diabetes in the school's Science Research Program.

"Her passion and excitement for science and technology is contagious and sets the tone for our entire team," the essay said. "Xia is a force in our entire program and her leadership skills separate her out from the rest of the cohort."

Link:

Ossining Student and Teacher Receive Awards for Robotics - Patch.com