Mentors
- Details
- Created on Friday, 07 October 2011 00:36
Head Mentor
Mr. Chuck Woods
"I have been a tool and die maker and mould maker for the last 20 years. I have developed products and systems in many areas of industry from conception through prototyping and manufacturing. I am a successful and creative person with strong organizational and problem solving skills, qualities that seem to fit well in FIRST®. When I started with FIRST, I had no clue as to the depth and breadth of this after school program. After joining and seeing FIRSThand the diversity of the members and the complex tasks that they accomplish, I knew I wanted to contribute to this program. I have a good knowledge of SolidWorks (a 3-dimensional modeling package) and Mastercam (software to control CNC equipment). I see FIRST Robotics as a critical program to develop the leaders of tomorrow and I look forward to seeing them achieve great things."
Executive Mentors
Mr. George Chisholm
"I'm a founding mentor with the team and have recently retired after 30 years of teaching, primarily in the Tech Department at Oakville Trafalgar High School. I continue to volunteer with FIRST Team 1334, primarily in the mechanical design and build area. I seem to be the one who does the TIG welding - usually successfully. When I'm not working with the team I do some supply teaching and home renovating. In my "spare" time, I'm the president of the Oakville Historical Society (www.oakvillehistory.org) and a busy member of the Property Team at St John's United Church. Dancing three nights a week (Scottish Country, Ballroom and Longsword) helps to keep me fit. My wife and I live in an 1830s Heritage House in downtown Oakville and enjoy travel, canoeing, theatre and family including our dog, Fergus. I attended the University of Waterloo where I received a degree in Geography and then the University of Toronto where I received my teaching degree. In my younger days I served for 23 years in the Canadian Forces Reserve, retiring with the rank of Captain, the Canadian Forces Decoration and the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal. I also enjoy genealogy, woodworking, reading, antique restoration and am a member of the United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada."
Mrs. Pat Decker
"In my former profession as a Human Resources Advisor in an engineering Crown Corporation, one of my portfolios was to raise the profile of the engineering profession, especially to students who may not consider careers in engineering, science and math. FIRST was one of the programs I sponsored because it was the best way of delivering this message, through mentored experiential learning.
In retirement, I continued this work by focusing on the same task, but from the student and academic side. FIRST continues to reach students in ways the academic curriculum does not and allows them a process to grow creatively and independently, as far as they wish to reach. I find this very gratifying and I love working with the students. They never cease to amaze me with their creativity, humour and ability to "think outside the box". FIRST is a lot of work but if it's not fun, why do it?"
Mr. Jim Wilks
"I'm an Electrical Engineer by training, but I am interested in all aspects of Engineering. I graduated from the University Of Waterloo some years ago. My first career started at Stelco in Hamilton, where I was involved in the automation of the making and shaping of Steel. That eventually evolved to Hatch in Mississauga, where I was involved in a wide variety of Consulting Engineering projects. My second career is at Mohawk College, where I teach Electrical Engineering Technology.
This is my third season with OTHS and FIRST. I enjoy all aspects of my involvement with FIRST Team 1334, both technical and otherwise.
My hobby is collecting, restoring and playing non-video arcade games. This includes an extensive collection of pinball machines from the 1960's to the present as well as shuffle alleys and ball bowlers. I also enjoy traveling. Recent destinations have been in Asia."
Dr. Amy Hamilton
"I am a flutist and head of Winds, Brass and Percussion in the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. As a NEMO (Non-Engineering Mentor) for FIRST Team 1334, I help with fundraising, grant writing and editing team newsletters, website materials and other team documents. I love to ski and travel, and I'm especially inspired by young adults who are passionate and enthusiastic about what they do which is why I teach university and mentor robotics."
Ms. Linda Wainewright
As an energy consultant who works primarily with large industrial and energy distribution companies, I often hear about the need for more science, technology and engineering employees. FIRST offers students a chance to get excited about these fields. My company has been sponsoring teams since 2006, beginning with the first FLL team in our school community. I continue to support FLL and volunteer at tournaments where I am always amazed by the students, but I find the capabilities of high school students even more impressive. I am particularly interested in the many opportunities FIRST provides for young adults to be leaders and enjoy challenging them to reach for higher goals. One way I do this is by hiring a student from FIRST team 1334 to work with my company during the summer. I am a firm believer in life-long learning and attend York University part-time where I am completing a degree in Psychology. Prior to consulting, I worked for TransCanada Energy managing relationships with some of the largest natural gas distribution companies in North America, large industrial clients and corporate partnerships.
Mrs. Peggy Scott
Team 1334 FIRST Lego League Liaison
Teacher Mentors
Mr. Andrew Palmer
"After receiving my technical teaching diploma from the University of Toronto in 2009, I joined the staff at OTHS as a Technical teacher pursuing my passion for teaching and robotics. I obtained my Computer Electronics Engineering Technologist diploma from Mohawk College in 1990. For the past twenty years, I have been working in industry. For the past seven years, I have managed my own consulting business providing technical training and support to commercial and residential customers. Previously, I have worked for the well-known and respected firms of Wardrop Engineering and AECL. I have also worked for several tier-one technology manufacturers including 3Com Canada, D-Link Networks and Epson Canada. Go Red Devils!"
Mr. Steve Fotheringham
I have been a Chemistry/General Science/Mathematics teacher at Oakville Trafalgar High School for the past two years. Previously, I've been an instructor at M.M. Robinson High School in Burlington, Columbia International College in Hamilton, Clarke Road Secondary School in London, as well as in South Korea.
I was a presenter with the McMaster Fireball Show for the 2007-2008 season, which consisted of over 100 live performance to close to 20,000 students, advertising the benefits of a career in Engineering. I've also been a teacher/research assistant with the NASA/CSA funded research project out in Pavillion Lake, researching early life on our planet.
Mr. Jordie Burton
This build season is my FIRST year working with the robotics team. Working in the Creative Arts and Technology department at OTHS it is impossible to not notice FIRST Team 1334. It did not take long after starting my employment at OTHS to start lending a hand after school. I am a Visual Arts teacher and, despite my lack of knowledge in engineering and robotic design, the team welcomed me with arms wide open. My background is in visual arts such as photography, painting and conceptual design. I have also worked as a graphic designer and printer. I have been able to pitch in helping with graphic design aspects, animation and occasional shop assistance. It has been a pleasure for me as a teacher to work with such a dedicated group of students and mentors in an arena that inspires creativity and passion. I hope to continue learning more about FIRST and it is wonderful having the students around to teach me how things work.
Engineering Mentors
Dave Battersby, Instructor, Sheridan College, former industrial automation designer
Joe Bernard, welder, contractor
Greg Chisholm, former team member, student, Sheridan College
Brandon Jutras, former team member, University of Waterloo, engineering student
Tom Miller, mechanical design
Adam Scott, former team member, Oxford Brookes University, mechanical engineering student
Lyle Scott, student, Mechanical Engineer, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Tony Sulpizi, mechanical engineer P. Eng
Calum Tsang, RIM P. Eng
Evelyn Wainewright, former team member, Mount Allison physics and math student
Andy Wells, mechanical engineer P. Eng
