"improbable to unstoppable" - fredi lajvardi's keynote presentation from the cetpa...
TRANSCRIPT
Improbable to Unstoppable
Faridodin “Fredi” Lajvardi
Faridodin “Fredi” Lajvardi
● Immigrant from Tehran, Iran● Naturalized in 1984● Arizona State University
○ BAE General Science
● Currently work○ Phoenix Union High School District○ Carl Hayden H.S. 26 years
Carl Hayden High School● Inner city school● Title I ● Over 90% Hispanic● Over 90% on federal assistance● Most students, first in family to graduate H.S.● Many single parent families● Many DACA students● Among lowest standardized test scores in state
What I Found….
● Students quick to quit● English 2nd Language● No goals● Low expectations● College not on the horizon● Parents not college educated
What Seemed To Work● More time with adults● Being part of a team● Identifying goals● Model problem solving● Receiving recognition
Arcrunner ProgramElectric Vehicles● 1st H.S. in U.S.● New fundraising
model● 10 years● Built 13 race cars● Pulled in mentors● Made the news
frequently
What It Evolved Into● Team oriented● Tied to larger issues● Modern STEM format● Problem solving skills● Drew much attention● Pulled in mentors● Kids saw they make a
difference
Shifting GearsFIRST Robotics● Real world problem
solving skills● High visibility● See STEM as career
options● Reaches many kids● “Super Bowl” of smarts● Nationwide community
Testing The WatersUnderwater Robots● Team built an ROV for
school magnet program● NSF grant for teachers● MATE workshops● Wanted to test FIRST
model in another venue● Learned about ROV
Competition, MATE
The Break Out EventMATE National ROV Championships● Judges Award● Elegance in Design
Award● 1st place Technical
Writing Award● 1st place overall
In The Wake 8 months no media attention, then…..● Wired Magazine● ABC Nightline● Washington Post /LA
Times● Reader’s Digest
Against Odds● Undocumented● Huge financial
barriers● Rising anti-immigrant
sentiment● AZ legislative
measures
One In A Million● Mechanical Engineering
ASU● Self deports, applies for re-
entry, denied 3 times● Sen. Durbin intervenes● Joins U.S. Army● Serves in Afghanistan● Now works for BNSF
Railroad
A Foundation Established
● Expectations changed● College is expected● Competing at high levels the norm● Role models for others
The Legacy● 4 time AZ Regional
Chairman’s Award winner
● 4 time AZ Regional Championship winner
● FIRST World Championships HOF
● Dean’s List Award winner
● National Woodie Flowers Award winner
● Spirit of Innovation, Pete Conrad Foundation national champions
● Many students go to college
Standouts Dulce Matuz● ASU, electrical engineering● Co-founder Arizona DREAM
Act Coalition, ADAC● DREAM Act advocate● Time Magazine’s top 100
Most influential people, 2012
StandoutsAngelica Hernandez● Outstanding Young Woman, City of
Phoenix 2007● Valedictorian Fulton School of
Engineering, ASU ● DACA student● Masters of Civil & Environmental
Engineering, Atmosphere & Energy, Stanford
● Works for Nexant
StandoutsMaria Castro● Lead creation of Calculus
classes at H.S.● Featured on CNN
documentary● Team President● Immigrant rights activist
○ Travels the country to support immigrant issues
● Campaign team member at The Arizona Dream Act Coalition (4 years)
● Southwest Regional Coordinator for United We Dream ( Years)
● Wants to be Criminal Immigration Lawyer
Standouts
Cynthia Botello● ASU, construction management● Won many awards from the
construction industry● Project Engineer Turner
Construction
The New Era● Competing against all
University fields● Thousands of dollars of
components● State of the art technology● Students pushed beyond
typical H.S. ability● Top mentors in industry● Collaborating with
universities
Culmination!● Many articles, news stories,
T.V. stories, and textbooks● Critically acclaimed
documentary, Underwater DREAMS
● Book telling the story of beating MIT and where are they now
● Hollywood feature film, Spare Parts
In Conclusion● More emphasis on
inspiration & less on standardized tests
● Students need meaningful connections
If life doesn’t give you a dream, build one!
