FIRST Diary of an Innovator: Team 20789 Season Wrap Up
May 16, 2024
In Swansboro, North Carolina, near the Camp LeJeune military complex, you’ll find FIRST® Robotics Competition Team 3336, “The Zimanators.” For 15 years, The Zimanators have been a symbol of teamwork, innovation, and community, proudly representing Swansboro High School. At the heart of the team is Joe Plasky, a mentor and volunteer whose unwavering commitment has shaped the team's ethos and fueled their success.
When military personnel who made up a large portion of the team’s mentors became unavailable due to overseas deployments, The Ziminators were thankful when Joe volunteered to mentor. Joe is a retired engineer from DuPont with several patents to his name, and his wealth of knowledge inspires students to be innovative, creative thinkers. At the age of 87, Joe continues to be a driving force behind the team's accomplishments, embodying the spirit of resilience and passion for robotics.
Student Caroline said, "Mr. Plasky has inspired not just me, but many other robotics members during his time as a mentor. When watching him help out a student, you can truly see the care he takes in teaching the younger generation. He provides professional and practical knowledge when others just can't see it. He always pushes us to do our best and be our best at all times.”
What sets The Ziminators apart are not just their technical abilities, but their commitment to collaborative decision-making, a principle instilled by Joe.
Team mentor, Barbara Shedd said, “From day one, Joe has insisted that we allow team decisions to guide us, even if it means encountering some 'bridges to nowhere' each season. Both he and I firmly believe that these moments of exploration are where the most beneficial learning occurs.”
Beyond his role as a mentor, Joe also established a scholarship program for seniors on the team, ensuring that future generations have the support to pursue their STEM aspirations. Joe said, "Presenting a scholarship in my honor each year is a profound investment in future engineers. It’s a privilege to support these bright young minds as they embark on their STEM journeys, igniting inspiration that will carry them forward."
FIRST® would not be possible without our incredible volunteers and Joe is a great example of how FIRST volunteers empower the next generation of changemakers and innovators.
"Mentoring in FIRST lets me experience the transformation firsthand. Watching students evolve into confident, capable engineers and leaders through teamwork, and seeing the inspiration they carry forward, is a testament to the power of this incredible program," said Joe.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with FIRST, please visit the link below: