Mentors at ExplorationWorks

The people who work in the Computer Center are diverse in their interests, ages, and areas of expertise. Some of us like programming best, others are more interested in building with legos. All of us like to work with kids, and to explore the many different aspects of the growing field of robotics.

Liz Gundersen is a retired Helena pediatrician. She started working with the LEGO Mindstorms program as a volunteer with the YWCA TechGYRLS Program in 2003. After attending a Vision Education seminar in Maine with experts from around the country, her interest intensified, and she started to build her own collection of robot kits and reference materials. In Fall of 2006, she organized the first classes at the ExWorks office, and finds robotics "simply fascinating". Here she is pictured with Kismet, a 'sociable robot' on display at the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass.

Sandy Jones teaches 5th grade at 4 Georgians School in Helena. She has been involved with first the YWCA TechGYRLS program, and then the ExWorks Computer Lab, for the past 2 years. She uses technology in her classroom, and combines computer expertise, artistic flair, and lots of energy to create projects that are fun for all ages.

Josh Kuhn (left) and Liz Terhune (right), seen here taking apart a computer with students, are regular mentors in computer classes.
Josh is a Junior at Capital High, who started taking apart computers in 3rd grade. Now he is the Lead Programmer for the CHS Robotics Team, which has competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition in 2005 and 2006. Although their robot had 'camera issues' this year at the regional event in Sacramento, Josh stated that "the learning curve was tremendous - we'll be ready for next year!"

Liz is a Junior at Helena High. She became an AmeriCorps TechCorps 300-Hr Volunteer for ExWorks this past Fall, after watching a summer robotics course that her younger brother attended, stating "I didn't know why he should have all the fun!". She is also a semi-finalist in the USA Biology Olympiad.

Mark and Nancy Robinson are a family team that volunteers to help with robotics classes.
Mark is a 4th grader and interested in science and computers.

Nancy is a Carroll College graduate who has moved around the country with her family, and is now back in Helena. She taught Discovery Science, a hands-on science program, while living in New Orleans. Currently she is a substitute teacher at East Valley Middle School. She loves music, and is working on the problem of importing MIDI files into Robolab.

Forrest is a 7th grader who has been building with Legos for years, and has experience with both Robotics Invention System and Robolab. If you need a 1-motor differential drive, or rack-and-pinion steering for your project, he's your design consultant.