Beyond the Bots: Surprising Lessons from Two Decades with FIRST Robotics

Curiouser and Curiouser: Why Some Learners Just Gotta Know

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled." In this episode, Amy and Ben tumble down the rabbit hole of their shared core value: Curiosity. We explore that undeniable itch - the one that makes some learners just gotta know how things work, even when the answers aren't easy. We debate whether true learning can happen without that spark, or if we are just "going through the motions." The conversation expands into how curiosity acts as a form of bonding (holding hands while staring into the abyss), why "stocking the cupboard" with skills is the ultimate future-proofing strategy, and whether it’s possible to be too curious. Finally, we discuss a powerful mental pivot: how to turn the anticipation of conflict into an opportunity for connection by simply asking questions.

Beyond the Bots: Surprising Lessons from Two Decades with FIRST Robotics

In this special excerpt from Unfinished Minds, Amy and Ben reflect on their 20-year journey with FIRST Robotics and the unexpected impact it had on their lives and work. What starts as a conversation about robots becomes something deeper: * How robotics competitions teach more than just STEM * Why inclusion, collaboration, and confidence are at the heart of great tech education * How students of all abilities and interests find a place in robotics * What it means to teach with robotics, not just about robotics Whether you’re an educator, mentor, parent, or just someone who believes learning should be hands-on and human-centered, this is a celebration of what can happen when kids are given tools, trust, and a little bit of creative chaos.

Talking Shop: Where Curiosity Meets Confidence

In this episode of Unfinished Minds, Amy and Ben reflect on their early experiences with tech education. From junior high shop class and sewing soccer balls to fixing vintage electronics and mentoring robotics teams, they explore how hands-on learning builds more than skills. What starts as a look back becomes a deeper conversation about: • The confidence that comes from making and fixing • How gender and academic bias kept many learners out of tech • Why robotics and other hands-on programs build collaboration and creativity • How technical literacy prepares us for a future shaped by AI Plus, Ben redeems his six-year-old self after a long-ago record player mishap by reviving a 1984 boombox. This is a hopeful episode about the joy of creating, the value of tech in all its forms, and how we can better prepare the next generation to understand and shape the world around them.

If Memory Serves...

How much of our learning depends on memory? In this episode of Unfinished Minds, Amy and Ben get candid about their very different relationships with memory, from recall superpowers to sticky notes and forgetfulness, and how that shapes not just how they learn, but how they teach, parent, and build careers. Together, they explore: • Whether a strong memory is a superpower or a crutch • How schooling built around memorization left lasting marks • Why open-book tests and hands-on learning feel different for different brains • How forgetting can actually be costly and sometimes even dangerous It’s a funny, personal, and insightful conversation about what sticks, what doesn’t, and what learning could look like if we embraced memory differently.

One Perfect Bite: Learning in Nuggets

Is long-form learning the only way to grow? In this episode, Amy and Ben unpack the value of learning in small bites, what they lovingly call “nuggets.” From distracted kids to time-starved adults, they explore how short, meaningful learning moments can be just as impactful as lengthy lectures. With stories from the classroom, the boardroom, and real life, they challenge the idea that learning has to be long to be deep.