First and Last Name Nathan Bradbury -------------------------------------------- How many years have you been a mentor for FIRST? 2 -------------------------------------------- I started my long road of education at North Idaho College where I received an Associates of Applied Science in Automotive Technology. Soon after graduating from NIC I enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Idaho. While I was at the University of Idaho I was a member, leader, and later a mentor for the U of I Society of Automotive Engineers Clean Snowmobile Challenge Team. While I was involved with the UICSC Team we won three National Championships. During my undergraduate studies I received a National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) internship to assist the research of a gasoline/electric hybrid snowmobile. I also received a grant from the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to research technologies which could improve the fuel economy and reduce emissions for two-stroke engines. As a graduating senior I received the Mechanical Engineering Department Outstanding Senior award as well as the U of I college of Engineering Inspirational Student award. After receiving my undergraduate degree in 2004 I had an Internship with Bombardier Recreational Products where I worked in their Advanced Engines and Research Group. I started my Master’s program in the fall of 2004. During my graduate research I designed, built, and tested a direct-injected and turbocharged two-stroke engine. As I was graduating in 2006 I received the NIATT Student-of-the-Year award. Since graduating I have been working for Western Company Trailer Company in Boise. For the most part I am a design engineer. While here the most interesting project I have been involved with was the design of a trailer that is used to assembly, transport, and integrate the Launch Abort System rocket for NASA’s new Orion Rocket. In addition to design work I also push a lot of paper! -------------------------------------------- Why did you get involved as a FIRST mentor at MVHS? I wanted to help students learn about engineering and help them look for a future education. I did not have anyone pushing me towards an educaiton beyond HS. I wish I had. I hope to serve that role for at least one student. -------------------------------------------- Tell us about some of your hobbies. I am an avid outdoorsman. I fly fish, hunt, snow ski, camp, and do all of the other outdoor activities out there. I also love riding motorcyles. -------------------------------------------- Share a story about your involvement as a mentor that you would like to share with others. It is an ongoing story. Everyday I am at the school with the students I see how much they have learned. As the days go by I see the growth in many ways. Students that had to be told to do something ealryt in the year are now looking for projects to work on. Even if we do not transfer the enginering funemetals to the students, hopefully we help them understand that they are capale of great things if they work hard and put there nose out there.