Melbourne employees spend time volunteering, inspiring youth at LEGO League championship

Photo by Kristen Bartlett, Melbourne, Fla.
Testing the team — Rockwell Collins Senior Security Specialist Kathy Warnke talks with middle school students about the experience they gained during the FIRST LEGO League competition in Melbourne, Fla. Warnke, who works at our facility in Melbourne, Fla., was one of several event judges.

Rockwell Collins employees in Melbourne, Fla., recently had an opportunity to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators at a local FIRST LEGO League competition.

An international program for children ranging in age from 9 to 14, FIRST LEGO League combines a hands-on interactive robotics program and a research presentation into a sports-like atmosphere. Teams consist of up to 10 members and focus on things such as team-building, problem-solving, creativity, and analytical thinking.

Kathy Warnke, a senior security specialist at our facility in Melbourne, arrived at the event expecting to volunteer as a runner. Instead, she was asked to serve as a judge on the competition floor.

"These students are the most remarkable, intelligent young adults I've ever met," said Warnke. "As a judge, it was hard not to show that I was in awe of their abilities."

As a "floor judge," Warnke went from team to team and asked students questions about what they learned from the experience. In addition to the educational value of the program, the most common comment was that students felt they were able to make friends with those they might not have ordinarily associated with.

"They also told me they were looking forward to one day becoming Rockwell Collins employees," said Warnke. "It's exciting to be part of a company that's working to inspire the next generation, and I look forward to participating in next year's event."

Editor's note: In August 2007, Rockwell Collins announced a plan to dramatically increase FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams throughout Iowa and across the United States. Our company will contribute $1.3 million over the first two years to launch the program, building the ongoing commitment to FIRST to $1 million annually.

For more information about Engineering Experiences, visit http://www.rockwellcollins.com/about/community/engineering-experiences/index.html.