A passionate robot designer with 7 years of experience leading the development of 8 distinct robotic systems. Design lead and Captain of FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team 14496 RoboctoPi. Extensive knowledge and use of CAD in Fusion 360 enables the design of every aspect of the robot before fabrication (3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling) and assembly. I led the team to win the highly competitive San Diego Region, which qualified us for the World Championship in 2023. We were honored to be Division Champions and to win the First Place Control Award at this prestigious international competition. We also finished 3rd out of 7000 teams from around the world. While designing FTC robots, I saw the need to build a better wheeled robotics chassis for scientific and commercial applications. So, I designed and built a differentially-geared, omnidirectional robotics platform that won the Grand Award at both the GSDSEF (Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair) as well as ISEF (the International Science and Engineering Fair) in 2023. I am passionate about new technologies, and I am always asking myself what it takes to innovate. I shared my thoughts on the topic in my TEDx talk: “False First Principles: The Origin of Innovation”.My passion for innovation and fascination with magnets and superconductors led me to design a prototype transportation system using superconductors. I explored how to use magnets to accelerate and decelerate a superconductor (while it levitated above a magnetic track) without any physical contact. This project, “Superconductors: The Future of Transportation?”, also won the Grand Award at GSDSEF (the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair).I love to give back to my community. I created a sustainable after school robotics program with the Escondido Unified School District (EUSD) in 11 elementary and middle schools. I led a robotics workshop for 20 teachers and coordinated weekly robotics mentoring at their schools that impacted 650 students, most from underserved communities. I have always enjoyed teaching and helping others around me to succeed. My passion for math and excitement for teaching has led me to tutor a wide breadth of students at my school, studying topics including math essentials, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, AP Calculus BC and the SAT.Curious about my work? Visit my website www.nicholasusher.com