We are a team from Mounds View High School and Southwest High School competing in First Tech Challenge (FTC). Our team, Spontaneous Construction, has been competing since 2018 and many of our members were once on a FIRST Lego League team called The Dots from 2015-18.

Meet the team!

Aaron

Grade: 12th
Years in FIRST: 9
How I joined: I originally joined since my sister was in FLL, and I have loved it since.
Subteams: Software, Driveteam, video, social media, marketing, outreach, sponsorship
Favorite part of FIRST: My favorite thing about FIRST would have to be the community and meeting all sorts of new people through the program.
Favorite SponCon playlist song: Move me by Half Alive or Replay
Favorite boba: Taro milk tea with normal pearls!

Emily

Grade: 11th
Years in FIRST: 9
How I joined: I originally joined because my sister was a part of FLL and have loved doing it since
Subteams:
Favorite part of FIRST: The tournaments where you can see all of the teams helping each other and working together
Favorite SponCon playlist song: Yeah by Queen
Favorite boba: Thai tea with regular pearls

Brian

Grade: 12th
Years in FIRST: 2
How I joined: I first joined the school’s FRC team in junior year, and I later joined this team that summer
Subteams: Hardware, Software
Favorite part of FIRST: The community and collaboration between people and teams
Favorite SponCon playlist song: none
Favorite boba: Thai milk tea

Jackie

Grade: 12th
Years in FIRST: 9
How I joined: I originally joined FIRST through an introductory class in 3rd grade hosted by the Ponytail Posse.
Subteams: Hardware, marketing, outreach, sponsorship, Project Robotica
My favorite part of FIRST: My favorite thing about FIRST is engineering new robot designs and systems.
My favorite SponCon playlist song: Give and Take by Poor Mans Poison
My favorite boba: Strawberry milk tea with mango coconut jelly

Derek

Grade: 12th
Years in FIRST: 1
How I joined: After helping this team out by printing parts, I wanted to learn more about the parts for the robot and ended up joining FTC.
Subteams: Hardware
Favorite part of FIRST: When everything is ready and it’s time to put the robot all together, that’s where the fun begins.
Favorite SponCon playlist song: idk
Favorite boba: mango milk tea

Leigha

Grade: 12th
Years in FIRST: 7
How I joined: One of the mentors on an FLL team suggested that I look into FIRST. I thought it looked super cool and I wanted to try it so they connected me with The Dots.
Subteams: Hardware, documentation, finances, video, EN portfolio,
My favorite part of FIRST: I like working through the process of creating a robot with my team.
My favorite SponCon playlist song: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica
My favorite boba: Red guava milk tea with boba

Henry

Grade: 12th
Years in FIRST: 9
How I joined: I was first introduced to FIRST through an after school event at Island Lake where they went through each part of FIRST Lego League.
Subteams: Software, hardware, finances, fundraising, newsletter, presentation
My favorite part of FIRST: My favorite thing about FIRST is the friendships and the thrill of tournaments.
My favorite SponCon playlist song: UGH! by BTS
My favorite boba: Mango milk tea with mango popping boba

Zion

Grade: 12th
Years in FIRST: 5
How I joined: My mom saw a Facebook post for an FTC summer camp and suggested it to me. I thought it sounded fun, so I joined.
Subteams: Software, newsletter, video
Favorite part of FIRST: I love working with my team on building and coding the robot as well as getting to interact with the FIRST community
Favorite SponCon playlist song: Somebody to Love by Queen
Favorite boba: Lemon black tea with boba

Ian

Grade: 12th
Years in FIRST: 9
How I joined: I originally joined FIRST through an introductory class in 3rd grade hosted by the Ponytail Posse.
Subteams: Hardware, marketing, outreach, sponsorship, Project Robotica
My favorite part of FIRST: My favorite thing about FIRST is engineering new robot designs and systems.
My favorite SponCon playlist song: Give and Take by Poor Mans Poison
My favorite boba: Strawberry milk tea with mango coconut jelly

LEGACY TEAM MEMBERS

Jamie

Graduated from the team in 2022

I’ve been in FIRST for 7 years.

I joined FIRST because my neighbor was on a team and they introduced me to it.

I love robotics and engineering so I have continued to do it.

My favorite thing about FIRST is the great community that it has, and all the fun things to get to do.

I have literally no idea what my favorite song is.

Claire

Graduated from the team in 2022

Had 4 years of experience through FIRST

I originally joined a team since a few friends were looking to start a new team and needed more people to join.

I like FIRST and keep participating in FTC since there are so many great skills I have learned, I really enjoy participating in all of the activities and events, and it provides a challenge.

My favorite thing about it is all of the opportunities it has given and the great community.

My favorite songs right now would probably be Hammer to Fall by Queen or Better by The Vamps.

About FIRST

“The mission of FIRST^® is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.”