The Gifted Gears #8949
aboutus
We are The Gifted Gears, a veteran FTC (First Tech Challenge) robotics team from the Portland metro area. Comprised of a diverse group of two high schoolers and seven middle schoolers, we are united by a common passion – a passion for STEM. Our members go to different schools, and initially came together through the combination of two FLL teams.
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Our team's mission is to inspire a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in the children of our own community and abroad; learn from professionals about the application of STEM in the real world; explore skills such as programming, 3D design, and mechanical design, while building teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Aliris Tang
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Aliris is team captain, a programmer, and she manages the engineering notebook.This is her fourth year in FTC, and she has two years of FLL experience in the former FLL team Nanostars. Outside of FTC, Aliris is a senior at West Linn High School, and she enjoys piano, volunteering, and baking.
William Dennis Nahl
William works on outreach in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area, helps with the website and media, and is learning lots about programming. This is his second year with Gifted Gears, and he previously was part of the Evergreen Eagles. Prior to that, he did FLL for one year. Aside from FTC, William is a juinor at Westview High School, and enjoys speech and debate, Model UN, philosophy, and activism.
Sameera Yatham
Sameera Yatham is a 8th grader who is going to Wood Middle School. Sameera is a part of the outreach group, mainly working upon social outreach. She also helps with designing the robot by creating custom parts. Sameera has two years of experience from FLL, who was on the team the Code Dominators, and she has designed parts for the robot and some programming. Outside from FTC, she very much enjoys writing, sculpting, and food.
Winston Tang
Winston works on Outreach in the Wilsonville area, builds the robot, a little programming, and drives the robot. This is his second year with the Gifted Gears and FTC but he has been with the FLL team, the Code Dominators. Other than robotics, Winston is a 8th grader at Meridian Creek Middle School and likes hanging out with friends, is a history buff, likes to draw, and does virtual farming.
Emma Fang
Holly Boling
Holly Boling is a seventh grader and is currently home schooled. She has had four and a half years of FLL experience. In the coming year, she sees herself as driver and as an idea person. Outside of FTC, she enjoys writing stories.
Aditi Bhaskar
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Aditi is a second year FTC participant eagerly looking forward to explore all aspects: outreach, programming, and also building and webpage design. She has 2 years of FLL experience in the former team 'Code Dominators', which has won State Awards in both years. Outside of FTC, Aditi is a 8th Grader at Meridian Creek Middle School. She plays the piano and enjoys creating unique crafts, music and outdoor activities.
Melinda Lin
Emma is a 8th grader at Athey Creek Middle School. This is her first year doing FTC, but she has 4 years of FLL experience with the teams “Neon Robots” and “Golden Gears”. Outside of FTC, Emma enjoys competitive dance, playing the violin, reading, and writing.
In addition to the outreach group, Melinda is a member of the programming and hardware group, and as a previous member of the team the G.E.A.R.S., three full years of FLL experience launches her into her first year of FTC. When she's not at a FTC event, Melinda is a 8th grader at Athey Creek middle school. Outside of school, she enjoys art, competing at math competitions with her team, and playing the violin.
Kavya Ananth
Kavya Ananth is a 7th grader at Stoller Middle School who is doing her first year of FTC. She has done 2 years of Jr. FLL and 3 years of FLL. Kavya specializes in CAD on her team. Some things that she likes to do in her freetime include playing basketball, swimming, reading, dancing, and playing the piano.
