Meet our Leadership Team The People behind KY FIRST Robotics Behind every event, every team, and every student success story is a dedicated group of staff, volunteers, and leaders working together to grow FIRST robotics across Kentucky. Meet the people helping inspire the next generation of innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers. Executive Director Kelli Gowan Kelli Gowan leads KY FIRST Robotics' statewide efforts to expand FIRST robotics opportunities across Kentucky. She works alongside educators, volunteers, industry, and community partners to grow teams, strengthen programs, and build partnerships that inspire the next generation of innovators. As Founder of KY FIRST Robotics, she remains committed to growing a sustainable robotics community that empowers students and supports teams throughout the Commonwealth. B.S. – Georgia Tech M.P.A. – Northern Kentucky University 17 Years with FIRST Program Leadership Meet the dedicated leaders responsible for delivering FIRST robotics programs across Kentucky. FIRST LEGO League Elaine Silber Jean Bolte Program Delivery Partners FIRST Tech Challenge Jackie Caudill Kelli Gowan Jeff Slaton Program Delivery Team FIRST Robotics Competition Kelli Gowan Program Delivery Partner & Regional Director Board of Directors KY FIRST Robotics is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors representing leaders in education, industry, and the community who support our mission and strategic growth. President Jeff Slaton Board Member since 2020 Vice President Robert Toole Board Member since 2019 Treasurer Heather Smith Board Member since 2021 Kathy Allen Staples, FRC Mentor Arthur Canada University of Kentucky Sophie Smith Eductor, FTC Mentor Brandon Barrack Toyota KY Jacqueline Caudill Challenger Learning Center of KY Doug Wingert UPS, FRC Mentor Jean Bolte NKU CINSAM Brent Schanding Xerox Interested in Serving on the Board? We are always looking for passionate leaders who want to make a difference. Get Involved

RUN FOR THE ROBOTS Driven by Overview Schedule Team Info Volunteers Sponsors Template Page Styling: Header is style "heading 6" with effect "E" The font is "Roboto Bold" with bold enabled The font size 37 Paragraph (this) is style "Paragraph 3" The text is Roboto Regular with bold disabled The text is font size 25 by default (it can be smaller if you want) This shape can be used as a background Horizontal lines have a width of 1 pixel Simple Button Complex Button It is orange, has a title, and room for a description. Link on the invisible shape. Complex Button It is yellow, has a title, and room for a description. Link on the invisible shape.

RUN FOR THE ROBOTS Driven by Overview Schedule Team Info Volunteers Sponsors Template Page Styling: Header is style "heading 6" with effect "E" The font is "Roboto Bold" with bold enabled The font size 37 Paragraph (this) is style "Paragraph 3" The text is Roboto Regular with bold disabled The text is font size 25 by default (it can be smaller if you want) This shape can be used as a background Horizontal lines have a width of 1 pixel Simple Button Complex Button It is orange, has a title, and room for a description. Link on the invisible shape. Complex Button It is yellow, has a title, and room for a description. Link on the invisible shape.

RUN FOR THE ROBOTS Driven by Overview Schedule Team Info Volunteers Sponsors Venue Maps Concourse level - Venue Entry on left Arena Level - Competition Fields & Pit Area Man O' War Pit Map Secretariat Pit Map

RUN FOR THE ROBOTS Driven by Overview Schedule Team Info Volunteers Sponsors Thank you to the organizations helping make Run for the Robots possible. Presenting Sponsor Event Sponsors Become a Sponsor Run for the Robots brings together top robotics teams from around the world to compete in Kentucky. Sponsorship opportunities help support the event while connecting your organization with future engineers and innovators. View Sponsorship Opportunties For more information, please contact: info@kyfirstrobotics.org Become a Sponsor now

Overview Schedule Team Info Volunteers Sponsors Run for the Robots brought together robots and horses like never before!! FIRST Tech Challenge season 2024-2025 INTO THE DEEP introduced the very first Kentucky premiere event: Run for the Robots. 64 Teams from across the US and around the world qualified from their regional events to face-off in 2 divisions at the 2025 Run for the Robots premiere event. Season Details Location Details Learn More Run for the Robots took place in the iconic Kentucky Horse Park building "Alltech Arena". The Alltech Arena is a 5,517-seat multi-purpose arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The facility is named for the title sponsor, Alltech. Opened on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park in July 2009, it was originally constructed for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games. Event Results Inspire Award Winners Team #23504 - Space Tech Team #19954 - Mario's Mechanics Team #19417 - Superstellar Winning Alliance Winners Team #21528 - TechnoSaints Plinko Team #19600 - Treeman 树人 Finalist Alliance Winners Team #14954 - The Teal Roborioles Team #28668 - FPT PT 2 Man o' War Division Finalist Alliance Winners Team #14954 - The Teal Roborioles Team #28668 - FPT PT 2

RUN FOR THE ROBOTS Driven by Overview Schedule Team Info Volunteers Sponsors 2026 Team Schedule All times are in Eastern Standard Timezone (EST) Thursday 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM -- Pits open & Team Load-In 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM -- Team Inspections & Judging 8:30 PM -- Pits close Friday 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM -- Pits open 8:30 AM -- Driver's Meeting 9:00 AM -- Opening Ceremonies followed by Matches 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM -- Lunch 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM -- Matches 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM -- Team Social (off-site) 7:00 PM -- Pits close Saturday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM -- Pits open 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM -- Qualification Matches 12:00 PM -- Alliance Selection 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM -- Lunch 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM -- Division Playoffs and Division Awards 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM -- Event Finals followed by Event Awards 6:00 PM -- Pits close Friday: Celebrate Your Heritage or Hometown -- Wear something that represents where you're from. Saturday: Derby Hat and Bow Tie Day -- Join the fun and show off your Kentucky Derby style! Theme Day Outfits

RUN FOR THE ROBOTS Driven by Overview Schedule Team Info Volunteers Sponsors Parking & Load-In Parking The Kentucky Horse Park charges $10 per vehicle, per day to enter the park. Once inside the park, vehicles may drive anywhere within the grounds, including to Alltech Arena. Ample parking is available in the main lot located in front of the venue. Please refer to the attached map for parking locations. Teams arriving with trailers, buses, or other large vehicles should park in the rear portion of the lot, leaving the spaces closest to the arena entrance available for teams, volunteers, and guests. All attendees should enter the arena through the front entrance each day. Please note that team load-in procedures are different and are provided below. Load-in & Load-Out Teams will load in and out at the arena level through the South Hall entrance. Teams may choose to avoid the designated unload line entirely by parking in the main parking lot and walking equipment directly to the South Hall entrance. Teams who prefer curbside unloading should follow volunteer directions and the load-in traffic pattern shown on the map below. Vehicles may pull up to the curb outside the South Hall entrance for active unloading only. While the driver remains with the vehicle, team members and volunteers may unload carts, tools, and equipment and begin transporting items into the pit area. Once unloading is complete, drivers must immediately move vehicles to general parking before returning to assist their team. With approximately 70 teams arriving within a limited timeframe, teams are strongly encouraged to prepare an efficient load-in plan in advance. Limiting unnecessary trips and consolidating items onto carts will help keep traffic moving smoothly for all participants. Please follow all venue signage and volunteer instructions throughout the load-in process.

RUN FOR THE ROBOTS Driven by Overview Schedule Team Info Volunteers Sponsors Volunteers Run for the Robots is made possible by an incredible team of volunteers. Thank you for helping us create an unforgettable experience for teams from around the world. New Volunteers Start Here Volunteer Registration (FIRST Dashboard) Quick Links Schedule Parking & Check-In Hospitality Volunteer Townhall Before the Event Everything you need to know before arriving at the event. Roles and responsibilities Arrival instructions Volunteer schedule Venue information Meals and volunteer lounge Download the Volunteer Guidebook Volunteer Guidebook Updated 5.21 Volunteer Parking & Check-In Location: Alltech Arena, Kentucky Horse Park Address: 4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511 Parking Instructions As you enter the Kentucky Horse Park, you will pass a parking attendant booth. Volunteers should park in the main lot outside the front of Alltech Arena. Please drive all the way to the front of the building. Important: You must present a printed copy of your Run for the Robots volunteer parking pass (sent via email). This will be exchanged for a physical parking permit valid for all event days. Parking passes are provided by KY FIRST Robotics specifically for event volunteers. We know some volunteers may also be attending with teams, and we kindly ask that these passes be used only for volunteer purposes. Your cooperation helps us continue offering this support. After Entering the Horse Park Follow signage or volunteer directions to Alltech Arena Park in the designated lot (the same lot used by all attendees) Proceed to the arena for volunteer check-in Arrival & Check-In Enter through the main entrance of Alltech Arena. Once inside, proceed to the left and continue to the last door of the North Hall (follow the magenta arrows on map) This is the Volunteer Hospitality Room, where you will check in, pick up your lanyard and shirt, receive instructions for your assigned role, and have access to refreshments throughout the event. Signage will be posted to guide you, and this space is reserved for volunteers. Volunteer Schedule Time Role(s) Check-In Person List of People in Role Wed, 7:30 AM Operations Team Wed, 8:00 AM Unload Trucks (Anyone Available) Kelli Gowan Everyone who is able (we welcome your wagons & hand trucks) Wed, 11:00 AM Electrical Dan Leathers Wed, 9:30 AM Field Builders Mannie Lowe & Brent Schanding Wed, 10:00 AM North Hall Volunteers – Volunteer Room Jackie Caudill Wed, 10:00 AM Volunteer Area, Volunteer & Team Check-In, South Hall, Judging Room, Parking & Outside (meet in Volunteer room) Kelli Gowan Wed, 12:00 AM A/V Setup Andrew Gowan Wed, 11:00 AM Move tables & chairs Kelli Gowan Page 1 of 1 To view other schedule days, press the arrows above. View Event Schedule Event Schedule View the team event schedule for overall competition timing (your volunteer schedule is listed above). Volunteer Hospitality Two volunteer lounges are available throughout the event. The main lounge in the North Hall (check-in location) provides meals, snacks, drinks, and volunteer items. A smaller hospitality room on the arena floor offers quick access to snacks and a short break for volunteers working in that area. Lounges are reserved for volunteers, select guests, and student ambassadors. Please keep personal items with you. Meals are provided on your scheduled volunteer days. Please email info@kyfirstrobotics.org with any dietary needs. Volunteer Orientation Webinar Missed the Volunteer Town Hall? Watch the recording here to review event flow, meet fellow volunteers, and learn more about what to expect during Run for the Robots.

Impact We have seen the impacts of FIRST , and know what these programs can do for kids. But don't take our word for it, check out the research. FIRST drives STEM engagment and outcomes. Research from a multi-year longitudinal study with Brandais University shows FIRST is advancing its mission to increase the number of students interested in STEM — and that interest is influencing their educational and career choices. To learn more about the study referenced above, and other Impact studies on FIRST, click the link below. View More

Kentucky House Bill 44: Advancing Robotics Education Across the Commonwealth Legislative Update: HB 44 Update and Continued Advocacy Efforts We are incredibly proud of the continued advocacy efforts of our students across Kentucky, especially our Student Board of Directors and FTC team 4444. Their voices are making a difference, and their work to highlight the impact of robotics programs is far from over. While we were successful in advancing HB 44 through the House this session, there is still more work to be done. As we look ahead to the next legislative session, we will continue working to advance the bill through both chambers of the legislature. Our students will remain engaged in sharing their stories and helping educate leaders on the impact and importance of these programs. We are grateful for the progress made this session and for the opportunity to continue building momentum. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Representative Chris Lewis for his tireless leadership and commitment to this effort. Through his support, $250,000 was included in the state budget to help strengthen robotics programs across Kentucky. These funds will directly support teachers and help bridge gaps in access to tools and equipment, including manufacturing resources, so that more teams can fully participate in and benefit from the FIRST experience. We are also grateful to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for its continued investment in students and STEM education. Stay tuned for more updates as this work continues. What HB44 Does House Bill 44 would create a funding opportunity for Kentucky robotics programs through stipends and grants that support educator time and program costs tied to more technically intensive competitive robotics participation. What the funding can be used for: Stipends for educators who coach or mentor robotics teams Competition registration fees Program materials and supplies Event and competition costs that schools or teams often struggle to fund T he focus of HB44 is on reducing financial barriers so that more students can participate in technically intensive robotics programs across KY. Why this Matters Many robotics programs depend on unpaid educator time and fundraising just to stay active. HB44 recognizes the time, effort, and resources required to run a competitive robotics team and creates a pathway for direct support to the people and programs doing the work. This legislation has the potential to: Support sustainability for existing teams Make it easier for new teams to launch Expand access to robotics education statewide Hear directly from Representative Lewis A video from the Kentucky State Capitol highlighting the introduction of House Bill 44 and its focus on supporting competitive robotics programs across the Commonwealth. More Information: Official House Bill 44 Text 2026 General Assembly Tracker HB44 One Pager 6198bf61-e26a-41b3-9ed6-ffaeabc41db5 processed-6C902A72-D0EF-4024-9213-9991E311EC37 867d6ed2-a174-4ffc-bb38-fb81be1af5f6 6198bf61-e26a-41b3-9ed6-ffaeabc41db5 1/4 Hey teams!! Have some news to share? Email us , or share on social media and tag #kyfirst, #kyfirstrobotics, and it may make our newsletter!