#PeopleofSTEAM: Meet Sarah
March 12, 2025
Sarah, Assistant Director of Admission at Rice University
As a FIRST® alum and local Houstonian, innovation and Coopertition® are at the root of how I lead my life. For many years, I thought that being a cut-throat competitor was the only way to grow and improve my skills. But that all changed after I attended my first event with my FIRST® Robotics Competition team, where I saw Coopertition in action. I saw competitors sharing tools and lending materials in between hyper-competitive matches. I saw my teammates leveraging their bilingualism to help international teams. I learned that innovation can only come from working with others and accepting new ideas that may be different from my own.
Houston is a city built on innovation. It’s a place where groundbreaking discoveries that later shaped the world have been made. As we prepare to welcome tens of thousands of brilliant young minds to Houston for the 2025 FIRST® Championship presented by BAE Systems, we celebrate not just the future of STEM, but also Houston’s rich legacy of firsts. For those attending: Get ready for an unforgettable experience in a city that has always led the way in science, technology, and engineering. (And even if you’re following along from home, you are still very much a part of this innovation celebration!)
Photo Credit: Houston First Corporation
From space exploration to life-saving medical advancements, Houston has been at the forefront of innovation for decades. Just as FIRST pushes the boundaries of what young engineers can achieve, Houston has been a launching pad for some of history’s greatest breakthroughs. As you step into this incredible city, you’re not just attending a FIRST Championship—you’re standing in a place where the impossible has been made possible time and time again.
Read more about Houston, a City of Firsts:
Photo Credit: Houston First Corporation
Space Exploration
Houston has been the epicenter of space exploration for decades, and its leadership in this field has shaped humanity’s exploration of the universe.
The city is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where the first piloted space station missions were controlled. Since its founding in 1961, the Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center) has been the command center for human spaceflight, including the first successful moon landing in 1969. In fact, the first word spoken on the moon was “Houston,” as Neil Armstrong’s iconic words during the historic Apollo 11 mission. “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed,” echoed through mission control, marking a pivotal moment in human history. These words represent a historic space exploration achievement, and a testament to Houston’s pivotal role in space travel.
Houston’s legacy in space exploration continues today, as it leads NASA’s work on the Orion spacecraft and human spaceflight missions, reinforcing the city’s commitment to pushing the limits of exploration.
Photo Credit: Houston First Corporation
Medical Breakthroughs
Houston is home to some of the most transformative medical breakthroughs in history. On April 4, 1969, Dr. Denton A. Cooley achieved the first total artificial heart transplant at the Texas Heart Institute, a groundbreaking procedure that changed the course of medicine. This moment laid the foundation for mechanical devices to bridge patients to transplant, offering life-saving hope to those waiting for heart transplants. Houston’s Dr. Michael DeBakey was equally innovative, performing the first coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 1964 and developing artificial arterial grafts that revolutionized cardiovascular surgery. In 1953, his first carotid endarterectomy surgery helped prevent strokes, saving countless lives.
Beyond cardiovascular surgery, Houston is also home to the first mobile stroke unit in the U.S., developed by Memorial Hermann and UT Health. This unit allows paramedics to begin stroke treatment before patients even reach the hospital, significantly improving outcomes. As the birthplace of these medical marvels, Houston continues to shape the future of healthcare and medicine around the world.
Photo Credit: Houston First Corporation
Engineering Marvels
Houston has long been at the forefront of engineering innovation, reshaping industries with its groundbreaking constructions. In 1965, the city unveiled the first fully domed sports stadium, the Astrodome, which was also the first air-conditioned stadium of its size, setting the standard for comfort and functionality in sports venues. With a seating capacity of over 70,000, it was equipped with luxury skyboxes, themed restaurants, a video scoreboard, and even an indoor bowling alley—transforming the spectator experience. This iconic structure became a model for stadium design worldwide, influencing future generations of engineers.
Houston also introduced the first commercial monorail in the U.S. in 1956, known as the “Skyway.” This cutting-edge transportation system demonstrated the city's forward-thinking approach to urban mobility, offering a glimpse into the future of public transit. Houston’s innovative spirit in engineering, from stadiums to transportation systems, reflects a city that has always sought to redefine what is possible—an energy and ambition that is perfectly aligned with the FIRST Championship celebration of next generation engineers.
Technology Advancements
Houston is where some of the most revolutionary technological advances have been born, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a hub for innovation. Rice University, where I serve as Assistant Director of Admission, is often regarded as the birthplace of nanotechnology due to the groundbreaking work of Professor Richard Smalley, who discovered fullerenes in 1985 and conducted pioneering research on carbon nanotubes. This research paved the way for a new era of materials science and nanotechnology, impacting everything from medicine to energy.
Sarah with the Rice University Mascot
Houston also gave the world WordPress, one of the most popular website platforms today. Cocreated by former University of Houston student, Matt Mullenweg, in 2003, WordPress quickly evolved into the world's most widely used open-source blogging platform.
Photo Credit: Houston First Corporation
Consumer Innovations
Houston has been a birthplace for countless consumer innovations, reflecting the city's spirit of creativity and problem-solving. In 1971, George C. Ballas, Sr. invented the Weed Eater, a device that revolutionized lawn care and changed the way we trim grass and weeds. This innovation transformed the landscaping industry, making it easier, safer and more efficient to care for yards.
Similarly, Farouk Shami, in 1986, developed the first ammonia-free hair color, SunGlitz, after suffering an allergy to ammonia. His invention not only made hair coloring safer for stylists and clients but also opened the door to safer beauty treatments in the industry.
Houston also gave rise to Gail Borden’s 1853 process for making sweetened condensed milk, a breakthrough that revolutionized the dairy industry by allowing milk to be transported and stored without refrigeration.
Media Milestones
Houston has also been a leader in media innovation, breaking barriers and setting standards for how we access and consume information. On May 25, 1953, KUHT-TV became the first educational television station in the United States. Licensed to the University of Houston, KUHT was a pioneer in educational broadcasting and helped establish public television in America. The station’s influence as one of the first members of National Educational Television, which later became PBS, has had a lasting impact on educational media nationwide.
This legacy of innovation in communication and media underscores Houston’s commitment to providing access to knowledge and advancing education—a core value that resonates with the heart of what the FIRST Championship event is all about: to inspire learning and discovery.
Photo Credit: Houston First Corporation
How many firsts did you count? Are there any that I missed? With deep roots in innovation, Houston is a fitting place to celebrate the next generation of STEM leaders. The 2025 FIRST Championship will bring together approximately 50,000 attendees from more than 50 countries, making it the world’s largest gathering of young engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers.
As we count down to FIRST Championship, we invite you to embrace Houston’s spirit of innovation. Explore the city’s rich history of firsts, connect with fellow STEM enthusiasts, and get ready to be inspired. Beyond the thrilling competition, Houston offers an incredible experience for visitors, from its world-class museums to its vibrant cultural scene. (Stay tuned for our must-see recommendations in our upcoming blogs!)
Houston has always been a city that embraces the future—now, it’s your turn to make history. We hope to see you there!
Assistant Director of Admission at Rice University