Community Awareness
OSD CTE Budget Cuts
When budget cuts affected the Olympia School District and several others across Washington State, ORF took action to advocate for STEAM and CTE programs. Over the course of two school board meetings, more than 15 ORF students, alumni, and mentors shared how FIRST has impacted their lives and stressed the importance of funding FIRST and other STEAM initiatives. ORF is also working closely with Board President Darcy Huffman to further advocate for continued support of CTE programs. These efforts highlight the major role these programs play in students' education, emphasizing the need for sustained funding to ensure students have access to valuable learning opportunities.
State Legislator Meeting
ORF visited the Washington State Capitol to advocate for STEM education in schools. We engaged with over 25 legislators, demonstrating how to build EV3 robots and then competing in a mini-robot challenge. This hands-on activity showcased the fun and educational value of FIRST, while also raising awareness about the importance of STEM education. We encouraged lawmakers to prioritize STEM programs in schools to ensure students have access to these essential learning opportunities.
Win With Women Event
In January 2023, ORF sent six students to the Win With Women PAC event to advocate for increased funding for Career & Technical Education (CTE). This effort led to a valuable connection with State Senator Claire Wilson, who introduced us to the WashingtonSTEM program. As a result, ORF is now in discussions with WashingtonSTEM to secure additional funding for both CTE and FIRST programs.
Lieutenant Governor Meeting
In January 2023, ORF traveled to the Washington State Capitol to meet with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck. The meeting had two main objectives: to educate him on the impact of FIRST and to highlight the exceptional outreach efforts of FIRST teams. During the discussion, we emphasized the importance of supporting both local and global communities and explored the potential for a long-term partnership between ORF, Washington State, and Egypt.
At ORF, we believe in the power of creating connections and building relationships, both locally and globally. By fostering these connections, we can collaborate to strengthen our communities and make a positive impact on the world. We are dedicated to continuing our efforts to raise awareness about the benefits of FIRST and seek out opportunities to work with others in driving meaningful change.
West Olympia Rotary Club
ORF attended the West Olympia Rotary Club’s monthly meeting at Tugboat Annie’s to discuss the benefits of CTE and FIRST programs in the South Sound region. The presentation highlighted the advantages of having programs like FRC in Thurston County. Rotary Club members were impressed by our students’ achievements and committed to supporting CTE in Olympia. The presentation effectively raised awareness about the significance of CTE and FIRST programs in the South Sound area.
Olympic Cards and Comics
At Gabi’s Olympic Cards & Comics, a local business in Lacey, WA, ORF worked to create a safe environment for both children and adults by providing masks during the pandemic. In addition, for the past three years, we’ve distributed flyers on Free Comic Book Day to highlight the importance of FIRST. This event attracts thousands of people from diverse backgrounds, and our outreach has successfully raised awareness of ORF and FIRST initiatives, emphasizing their significance in the community.
Olympic Airshow
For the past two years, ORF has showcased our FRC robot to thousands of students, parents, and families at the Olympic Air Show, where we had a station located in the heart of the Olympic Flight Museum. The event, which attracted over 17,000 attendees, provided ORF with the opportunity to introduce FIRST and its programs to a wide audience. The robot demonstration was highly successful, generating significant interest and positive feedback from visitors. Through participation in events like the Olympic Air Show, ORF continues to raise awareness about FIRST and inspire young minds to explore careers in STEM fields.
Lakefair Crepe Stand
Each summer, ORF operates a crepe stand at Capital Lakefair in Olympia, Washington, using the event as a platform to raise awareness about our team and the FIRST opportunities available in the local area, all while fundraising by making and selling delicious crepes. The stand typically runs for a week; in 2023, it was open from July 12th to 17th, operating from 11 am to 11 pm. Since Lakefair’s return in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair has seen a surge in popularity. During the 2023 event, ORF reached approximately 20,000 community members, introducing them to FIRST and its impact.
Theater Bot
This year’s theme, FIRST in Show, inspired ORF to highlight the "A" in STEAM by partnering with our high school’s theater department. In just two months, we took on the challenge of creating “The Beholder,” a robot with rotating arms designed to maintain a 6-foot distance for their DND-themed play, She Kills Monsters. Working with Capital Theater, we engaged our FTC and FLL teams, encouraging them to design and build their own “monster” robots for the production. Using our technical expertise, we brought The Beholder to life as a key character in the play. Its impressive size and lifelike movements captivated the audience and helped bridge the gap between STEM and STEAM.
Kick Off
ORF invited the school board to attend our FRC Charged Up Kickoff Event to highlight the importance of supporting CTE and STEM programs. The Board President and another member joined us, experiencing firsthand the creativity and innovation of FIRST and our team throughout the day. This successful event strengthened the board’s commitment and recognition of the vital role STEAM and FIRST play in our community. By enhancing support for these programs, ORF is investing not only in our students' futures but also in the growth and development of our community. Additionally, we collaborate with FRC 5295 for the Kickoff, welcoming them into our space to work together.