Katie Allen, math teacher and sponsor of the RoboHawks, and students Kelsi Washington, Tommy Filla and Matt Duello, had an information booth at the fair, displaying photos, trophies, a mini robot, a laptop computer with video footage from FIRST® robotics competitions and Shadowhawk, the team robot.

“We were invited because of our winning alliance at the FIRST St. Louis Regional in March,” Allen explained.

FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – is described as “a thrilling and unique spectator sport experience in which teams of high school students solve an engineering design challenge through imagination, dedication, teamwork and the help of their robotic friends.”

The expo featured 35 organizations and diverse agencies. As guests and Boeing employees visited the fair to experience arts, crafts, languages, music, dance, culture and heritage, many took time to ask questions about robotics competitions and the FIRST program.

Washington, a senior, is a lead builder for the RoboHawks, or Team 1985. Standing in front of the table, wearing a black and gold team T-shirt, she explained the robot and what it’s like to compete to anyone who asked. On the table, a three-ring binder of photographs highlighted details about the team, their experience and skills.

“Most of the questions we get asked are ‘What does the robot do?’ ‘What does it pick up?’ ‘How long did it take to build?’ ‘What is competition like?’” said Washington.

Being a guest at an expo is a different experience for the team.

“During competition, we’re in the pits and we answer similar questions. But in this case, we’re coming to the people and explaining what we do,” said Washington.

Filla and Duello, who are sophomores, agreed. Their respective roles as programmer and mechanic usually keep them behind the scenes. At the expo, they operated the robot and answered questions, too.

“It’s an amazing experience to work with robotics and to get the chance to work with different things,” said Duello.

“Here, we’re introducing people to FIRST and we have to explain what it is, and that’s different,” said Filla.

Allen noted the differences, too. “It’s cool when people know what the parts are on the robot and ask the students technical questions.”

“It’s great for us to be able to come here and explain what FIRST is about,” Allen said. “It’s a chance for us to hopefully get new mentors to volunteer with the team, and having the students explain things to adults is impressive.”

Boeing is a sponsor of the robotics programs at Hazelwood Central and Hazelwood West high schools.

In 2010-2011, both teams were successful throughout the competition season and earned the opportunity to compete with teams from across the country and internationally at the FIRST Championship, which took place in St. Louis.

In the spring, HCHS won the St. Louis Regional, and team co-captain Luther Banner, a senior, received the FIRST Dean’s List Award for his leadership and commitment to FIRST. In April, Banner was named one of 10 students in the country to the FIRST Dean’s List.