--- title: FIRST Alum John Stegeman helps Invent Smart Lighting Technology in St. Louis description: The streets of downtown St. Louis are looking brighter — and more energy efficient — thanks to technology developed by Hazelwood-based Labyrinth Technologies and FIRST Alum John Stegeman. image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/012420_eh_johnstegeman_tedstegeman__1_-2.jpg --- John Stegeman is a *FIRST *Alum who started a *FIRST *Tech Challenge team at John Burroughs School. After graduation, he went on to work on a NASA exhibit at St. Louis Science Center, building and designing Mars rovers - all before he was 18. Recently, John and his father designed an energy efficient way of lighting 360 square blocks throughout Downtown St. Louis to help brand Downtown and improve public safety overall.  [Click here to read the full story](https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/how-father-and-son-team-invented-st-louis-latest-smart-technology#stream/0) on how John and his father changed the lighting game in Downtown St. Louis.  #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-alum-john-stegeman-invents-smart-lighting-technology-in-st.-louis-with-his-father) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-alum-john-stegeman-invents-smart-lighting-technology-in-st.-louis-with-his-father) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/first-alum-john-stegeman-invents-smart-lighting-technology-in-st.-louis-with-his-father) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first) These blog posts have been contributed by members of *FIRST* staff. *FIRST* is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, N.H. ### Related Posts ** [#PeopleofSTEAM](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/peopleofsteam) People of STEAM: Meet Tom June 7, 2023 ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone), [#PeopleofSTEAM](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/peopleofsteam), [Featured](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/featured), [Educators](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/educators), [Mentor Stories](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/mentor-stories) #PeopleofSTEAM: Meet Enmanuel August 22, 2025 ** [#PeopleofSTEAM](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/peopleofsteam), [Featured](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/featured), [Educators](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/educators), [Mentor Stories](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/mentor-stories) #PeopleofSTEAM: Meet Ed September 30, 2025 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)