USACE engineers mentor next generation of STEM professionals through robotics competition

Promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is a passion for many professionals at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District. For some district engineers, inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals is a continuous goal. In December, four district engineers participated in the "For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Lego League" Regional Tournament at the Ashland Community and Technical College in Ashland, Ky.

FLL is a robotics program designed to get children excited about science and technology, and teach them valuable employment and life skills according to FLL sponsors.

For two enthusiastic district engineers, David and LuAnne Conley, promoting STEM is all in the family as the pair is married and their 9-year-old son, Christopher, competes in FLL.

Christopher, along with his teammates, Duncan McGinnis, Caegan Galen, and Jacob Nance are known as "Team Lego Raiders." Under the mentorship of David Conley, they earned the first place award for robot performance during the FLL competition at Ashland Community and Technical College.

Although their pursuit for more wins at the FLL state-level completion in Louisville, Ky. in January was not successful, the Team vows to continue learning and training and compete again in next year's competitions.