--- title: "#IRL: Techno Tigresses Find Common Ground With US Air Force" description: "FLL Team #44406 Techno Tigresses talked tech and core values with female pilots and robotics experts at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base." image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot4a.jpg --- On Thursday, August 8, 2019, the Techno Tigresses -- *FIRST* LEGO League Team #44406 -- kicked-off the new season by visiting Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. ## *FIRST* Skills "In Real Life" ![first-lego-league-air-force-women](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/_blog/external/techno-tigresses/first-lego-league-air-force-women.jpg?width=200&name=first-lego-league-air-force-women.jpg)The only all-girl team in Johnston County, the Techno Tigresses were able to speak with a female F-15E pilot about being one of less than 70 women flying similar jets in the US Air Force today, as well as how and why girls should follow careers in STEM. They also talked with Col. Amanda Sheets, the first woman to command the 916th Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Group, and discussed how Air Force Core Values and leadership principles tied directly into the [*FIRST* Core Values](https://www.firstinspires.org/about/vision-and-mission). In addition, the team met with airmen of the 4th Fighter Wing and 916th Air Refueling Wing Explosive Ordinance Device section to learn how they used bomb detection robots to help their local communities and in overseas missions. The EOD airmen set up several obstacles courses for the team to complete using Air Force robots. "The Techno Tigresses had a great time relating *FIRST* LEGO League projects, core values, and robotics with their hosts from the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve," said Shannon Mann, coach of the Techno Tigresses. *Thank you to Shannon Mann for the story and pictures.* ## A Day on the Field ![first-lego-league-air-force-women2](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/_blog/external/techno-tigresses/first-lego-league-air-force-women2.jpg?width=470&name=first-lego-league-air-force-women2.jpg)![first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot3](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/_blog/external/techno-tigresses/first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot3.jpg?width=610&name=first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot3.jpg)![first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot2](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/_blog/external/techno-tigresses/first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot2.jpg?width=600&name=first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot2.jpg)![first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot-5](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/_blog/external/techno-tigresses/first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot-5.jpg?width=600&name=first-lego-league-air-force-eod-robot-5.jpg)** ## *FIRST* LEGO League [*FIRST*® LEGO® League](https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll) (for ages 9-14*) focuses on solving real-world problems such as surviving in space, food safety, recycling, energy, and more using STEM concepts, plus a big dose of fun. The 2019-20 theme is [CITY SHAPER.](https://info.firstinspires.org/city-shaper) The 2019-20 FIRST season theme is [*FIRST* RISE powered by Star Wars: Force for Change](https://info.firstinspires.org/first-rise-2020?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=community).  ## #IRL ("In Real Life") "In Real Life" is a digital campaign showcasing parallels between the skills, experiences, and values of *FIRST* youth and working professionals. ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/irl-techno-tigresses-find-common-ground-with-united-states-air-force) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/irl-techno-tigresses-find-common-ground-with-united-states-air-force) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/irl-techno-tigresses-find-common-ground-with-united-states-air-force) ![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 ** [Alumni](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/alumni) From Robotics to Healthcare - Leveraging Your FIRST Skills May 8, 2021 ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone), [Featured](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/featured), [Parents & Families](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/parents-families) Engineering the Future: How Early STEM Experiences Lead to Meaningful Careers February 23, 2026 FIRST Sponsor United States Air Force Enhances Security with Robotic Dog April 5, 2021 ![](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)