The clock is ticking, and Zach Dean is rushing to put the final touches on a robot that’s minutes away from entering a battle arena. His high school robotics team, S.P.A.M., is gearing up to compete at the Broward County Convention Center, where game controllers and laptops guide robots through various challenges.
For the last six weeks, these South Florida teenagers have been building a robot from scratch. Now, they must compete against high schools from around the world in the FIRST Robotics Competition.
As battle time nears, students are wielding power drills, hex wrenches, and laptops for any final touches. “We learn how to build, code, and wire robots,” Dean said. “I’m a mechanical lead, so I help design and build parts.”
Dean credits team mentor Elizabeth “Lily” Pawlak for honing his machine skills. Twelve years ago, Pawlak was a machinist for S.P.A.M., participating in the same competitions. Today, she’s an equipment reliability engineer supporting Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) nuclear fleet.
“I wanted to come back and mentor to show them that it’s more than just a fun activity in high school; it really can be a future opportunity,” Pawlak said. “I’ve taught them basic skills like using a tape measure to advanced skills like operating a mill, lathe, and CNC machines.”
STEM education helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them for a tech-driven world. Robotics steered Pawlak toward engineering and helped launch her career at FPL.
“I met incredible professionals at these competitions and maintained those connections throughout college,” Pawlak said.
Other FPL employees volunteered as judges, mentors, emcees, referees, robot inspectors, and even robot doctors. FPL sponsors a Robot Urgent Care, a portable machine shop where company machinists and engineers repair broken robots, ensuring students can continue competing.
Fortunately, S.P.A.M. didn’t need emergency repairs this year. The team won first place and the quality award for their robot. “It’s amazing to see their hard work pay off,” Pawlak said. “These students feel immensely supported by the county, school board, and companies like FPL, knowing they have all the tools to succeed.”
FPL proudly sponsors numerous STEM programs to ensure students have the skills needed for future success in the workplace and higher education. This initiative serves as a powerful recruiting tool for FPL, which offers various career opportunities in engineering and technology, highlighting the vast potential and support available for future careers in Florida.
