Spangler family is integral piece of Maryland FTC

After seeing an FTC demo as part of a Boy Scout meeting, the children of David and Lydean Spangler talked repeatedly about starting a team.  The Maryland duo relented and in 2008 implemented the program as part of their children's homeschooling studies.

The Spangler family, which includes children Renee, Erik, Laura and Mary, formed Spangler Software Incredibles and quickly assimilated into the FTC community around them.

(left to right) Mary, David, Erik and Laura

"That first year, we met Jeff Tjiputra, the Maryland Affiliate Partner at the time, and our first competition was at the College of Southern Maryland," said Lydean, a computer scientist.  "Over the course of the next year we began working closely with Jeff, who convinced David to become an FTA and the rest of us helped as there was a need."

David, who is an electrical engineer, was apprehensive at first, questioning whether he had time for it.  But seeing the need for volunteers, he pitched in.

The family's first experience as volunteers was field setup and tear down.  Renee, who is now studying to be a computer engineer at Virginia Tech, said it was nice because they had the opportunity to get to know the field and the volunteers who would run the competition throughout the day.

Lydean

It wasn't long, however, before the family was pulled from field setup into just about every other volunteer role in FTC.  David is primarily the Field Technical Advisor (FTA), but also acts as robot inspector and field manager.  Lydean is the FTA Assistant but has also been lead queuer, software inspector, field inspector, Judge, and Field Control System Operator, to name a few.  The kids have filled their share of roles as well, including robot inspectors (Erik), FCS Operator (Renee) and field setup and tear down.  Mary, the second youngest, even does some Emceeing at events!

The Spanglers, who are easily spotted thanks to their brightly-colored, tie-dye attire, are well known in their community after six seasons of competing and volunteering.  Lydean says they have made friends with many of the teams and are often greeted by name at competitions.  David has gotten to know many of the veteran teams as part of his robot inspector duties and says the kids are used to his bad jokes now.

"The Spangler family provides exceptional service to all Maryland and DC FTC teams," said Bill Duncan, current Maryland AP.  "For at least the past five years that I've been involved, they have been at every Maryland FTC event, transporting and storing our fields, acting as FTA and field crew, competing as a team up until this season (they were a world champion team in 2010) and even leading the dances."