Team Spyder is the robotics team that represents the Poway High Engineering Academy and
builds robots to compete in competitions like FRC and FTC. But
we’re so much more than that… As a robotics team, we’re
set apart by our commitment to safety, our countless mentorships
and events, and our insistence on simple community involvement.
As members, Spyder's get to learn to program and build robots,
be part of a real business environment, participate in
everything from fairs to local government meetings! If you want to
get involved and help others get involved in STEM (science,
technology, engineering, mathematics), if you want to get real
business experience, if you want to travel to events throughout
the country, if you want to get plenty of college credit and
possibly even some scholarships, or if you just want to build a
robot, Team Spyder is the place for you.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Like FIRST, Team Spyder is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We serve the Underrepresented, Underserved and Vulnerable Youth. Since our inception as a team we have served Hispanics, Latinos, African Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, girls, young women, socio-economically disadvantaged students, first generation in college students, disconnected youth, and youth living in rural or urban areas (such as Ramona and Title 1 students). Through our outreach and on the team, we also serve foster, homeless, immigrant, limited English, students with disabilities, students in special education and LGBTQ+ youth. We reach out to students in special populations beyond our school supporting programs such as the Monarch school and Include Autism. One of our missions is to be a champion for the Underrepresented, Underserved and Vulnerable Youth (which is what we are doing this year with Title1 schools: Valley and Garden Road Elementary; also inner city schools: Wilson Middle School, and the Monarch School for homeless youth).
Our HERO! - Remembering Dr. Woodie Flowers!
Dr. Woodie Flowers, the Father of Educational Robotics as proclaimed by VEX Robotics, has passed away last Oct. 12 due to undisclosed medical complications. He was widely known and celebrated as one of the co-founders of the international youth organization called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which manages the widely acclaimed FIRST Robotics Competition and its iterations in partnership with LEGO. The robotics competition is the flagship event of the organization that aims to foster interest and inspiration for the youth to immerse themselves in science, engineering, and technology fields.
Dr. Flowers was born in Jena, Louisiana, in 1943. Early in his youth, he was already immersed in the world of mechanical engineering and design as his father was involved in such activities. He initially did not plan to go to college but changed his mind upon receipt of a scholarship where he majored in mechanical engineering. He obtained his Bachelor of Engineering at Louisiana Tech University in 1966, followed by his Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1968, 1970, and 1973, respectively... (to read the entire article go to https://www.sciencetimes .com/articles/24060/20191014/woodie-flowers-passed-away.htm) (Dec. 9, 2019: Tribute Celebration of Life at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/520633207)
Our Head Coach in the News!
Rodger Dohm knows the value of a good science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and has been pushing its implementation as a trustee of the Ramona Unified School District Board and as a Poway High School teacher. As a Ramona resident since 2002, Dohm was driven to help schools and students because he said he’s interested in serving children and making the community better. Dohm joined the RUSD school board 16 years ago, and is in the midst of his fourth four-year term. His interest in promoting STEM education in Ramona schools derives from his teaching experience. Dohm started teaching drafting in 1996, then began focusing on engineering in 1997. He currently teaches introduction to engineering and design, principles of engineering, computer integrated manufacturing, civil engineering and architecture, and pre-engineering and design at Poway High. Emphasizing STEM and robotics, particularly for young women, is nothing new to Dohm. He said it’s been promoted at Poway High the past 18 years. He listed his personal goals as the following: To develop leaders by conducting local and global outreach in STEM and robotics within the community; Serve the underrepresented and those who are underserved in grades kindergarten through 12; and Apply skills in Poway High’s Team Spyder robotics team toward teaching STEM, having inclusivity in STEM, and educating females in STEM topics. “Our ultimate goal is to help our brothers and sisters in our community, not just Poway and San Diego, but the whole world,” Dohm said. “We’ll grow our student leaders to become our next leaders in the country and the world. What we’re doing locally is serving the underserved and underrepresented that literally means everyone.” (to read the entire article go to https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ramona-sentinel/news/education/story/2019-11-26/ramona-trustee-rodger-dohm-promotes-stem-education) or https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/news/schools/story/2019-12-30/poway-high-teacher-promotes-stem-education
Join Now!Click here to apply for Team Spyder.
We always accept applications, but
there are limited spots on the team.
If you are interested, we accept a few 8th grade students and students from gradeds 9-12. So apply now!
If you team needs any help, parts, curriculum, advcacy support, outreach ideas or to work with us, please reach out to rdohm@powayusd.com. We are here to help advance FLLJr., FLL, FTC, FRC, and FGC. Were just an email away!
Team Spyder Initiatives!
Team Spyder 1622 at FIRST Championship Conferences in Houston (Download the curriculum for 2019-2020):
We support the United States Congress H.R.500 - Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2019.
Please take a moment and write to your Representatives asking that they support H.R.500, a bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition of Christa McAuliffe, the astronaut and school teacher who was tragically killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986.
Spreading FIRST'S message:
Advocacy (#makeitloud):
Poway Unified Robotics Day: On March 14, 2019, the PUSD Board approved a resolution proclaiming April 23, 2019 as Poway Unified School District Robotics Day 2019 in recognition of the growth of Robotics Teams throughout the Poway Unified School District and the achievements they have garnered. Poway Unified School District Robotics Day.
City of Poway Robotics Day: On March 8, 2019, the Poway City Council approved a resolution proclaiming March 8, 2019 as Robotics Day in the City of Poway in recognition of the growth of Robotics Teams throughout the City of Poway and the achievements they have made.
City of San Diego Robotics Day: San Diego City Councilmember Mark Kersey declared March 7-9, 2019 as the City of San Diego FIRST Robotics Competition 30th Anniversary Weekend, honoring Team Spyder 1622 and all San Diego teams for their work in STEM and Robotics in the City of San Diego.
Team Paraguay (mentored by Team Spyder and Team Inspiration) won the Safety Award and ranked 67 out of 161 at the 2018 FIRST Global Challenge in Mexico City! Team Benin moves onto starting 10 robotics teams in schools across Benin, Africa with help of Team Spyder purchasing 10 robot kits for school curriculum.
Team Spyder 1622 Featured on FIRST Global- We Are The Energy of The Future!
Houston Championship
