Parents and other travelers who will be at the Colonial Heights Keystone Truck and Tractor Museum event site, but who are not the designated team members and mentor participating, are reminded they may visit the museum portion of the building while they wait.

Go here for information about ticket prices and the museum's collections. 

There is a restaurant on site as well.

• Italian Touch Pizza in Woodstock, will deliver to the Caverns
• Southern Kitchen - in New Market, has dine in and carry out. There will be menus out for the teams if you care to look.
• There is plenty of fast food off the 81 exits on either side of the exit for the Caverns.

FTC Teams-

Our first event will take place this weekend, and it’s an event like no other!  Join the livestream on Twitch or better yet, take part in the event!  You don’t need a robot, and maybe your team has not even been able to register this season.  We know teams are finding all sorts of ways to be Game Changers!  So during the show Saturday, we want to include as many teams as possible.  Here’s how you join the fun-

Send one or more of the following to us in Dropbox (http://bit.ly/3pv5LGF).  Photo format is .jpg, .png, video format .mp4 or .mov.  Include your team number in the file name.

• A team photo, Zoom meeting snap, collage or whatever you would like to share
• A photo of one or more team members holding up a sign showing what you would insert in this statement, “We are changing the game of _______________”
• A photo of one or more team members engaged in community activities (making PPE, socially distanced outreach, thanking your community, etc.)
• A photo of one or more team members holding up a sign with the word(s) you would choose to complete “Our mentors inspire us by ____________________”
• A short (1-3 min) video your team has made to inspire others.  This can be a robot reveal, a tribute to your community, an animation of your robot from a CAD program, a reflection on the season, or something else you think would be inspiring to those watching FTC on Twitch.  [Note that all video will be reviewed for appropriate content and non-copyrighted audio].

Thanks for considering – look for your team to be part of FIRST Chesapeake Hybrid Events for the Ultimate Goal Season! 

We are enthused to bring you an installment of the "Women in STEM Spotlight Series Sponsored by Leidos." This series highlights women involved in the FIRST community in DC, Maryland and Virginia who are an inspiration for our program's young women and girls.

Name: Katherine Dougan Place of Employment: Northrop Grumman Job Title: Manager, Logistics & Product    Support Systems Engineering

What is your specific job in STEM? How would you describe this job to young women and girls?

I manage a group of engineers who perform analyses to support the products that Northrop designs and engineers for our customers.

What is the coolest thing about your job?

Initially, after graduating with a Chemical Engineering degree, I worked as a Field/Technical Service engineer for an oil company. I was interested in the position because it offered a training program and worldwide travel – at a time when I had very few responsibilities other than to myself. I spent 4 years living and working in Italy, Romania, the UK, California, and the Gulf Coast. Working in different cultures, on construction sites, and working with people much more senior than I, gave me opportunities and challenges which contributed to building self-confidence and to improving my communication skills. When not working I took every opportunity to experience the country, food, people, and local events.

In my more recent work at Northrop Grumman, I have been up on flight tests of our sensor systems which got me away from my desk! I have been a Program Manager and most recently manage a group of engineers that support various programs. I enjoy the opportunities I have now to contribute to the growth and career development of our engineers.

What are some of the cool things that people in your profession work on?

Chemical & Process Engineering are used in many different industries. Some of us went into the oil and chemical industry, others went into the cosmetics and perfume industry, consumer products (e.g., soap, detergents) industry, art restoration, and even the winemaking and beer brewing industries. My career has taken me away from my Chemical Engineering degree but I have continued in engineering and management.

Don’t limit your thinking about future possibilities in the use of your skills. Engineering is really about applying critical thinking to solve problems.