Sending Resources to Turkey

“Coopertition” and “Gracious Professionalism” are the core values of Dr. Woodie Flowers, co-founder of FIRST Robotics, that separate our sport from others. Fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Out of this alloy of unqualified kindness and integrity, our team was able to forge an international relationship with the Team 2905, the Sultans of Turkey.

One of our senior members, Cathrine Sakin (now studying mechanical engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology), contacted Nazli Eren, a leader of FRC Team 2905 (Sultans of Turkey) and Dean’s List Winner (Congratulations!), with a proposal for an international collaboration effort: to collect and distribute much needed materials to students with limited finances (especially as a result of the increasing inflation in both countries). Team 2905 graciously accepted the proposal and helped plan/organize the distribution aspects of the initiative, in addition to setting up their own local collection stations!

Our team collected around 200 pounds worth of materials locally (thank you to everyone who donated), 88 pounds of which Cathrine personally handed off to Team 2905 for distribution in rural portions of Eastern Turkey. The rest we are distributing to local, US-based students with financial need!

Thanks to this collaboration, and the amazing future leaders and engineers on both teams, students internationally will gain access to supplies they may otherwise lack.

This initiative is one of many to come from us, as we value, among cooperation and gracious professionalism, inclusivity and access to education!

Thank you Sultans of Turkey for helping us achieve this amazing service accomplishment! We cannot wait to see what the future holds for our #FIRST students and alumni!