Surge Robotics Foundation

About

Our Mentors

Explore the people behind Surge Robotics Foundation. Our volunteers share expertise in engineering, education, and youth mentorship to empower every student on their learning journey.

A bright, modern robotics lab featuring a large, light-grey workbench covered with organized components: neatly sorted bins of gears and sensors, coiled colored cables, small motors, precision tools, and a partially assembled robot chassis of brushed aluminum and high-impact plastic. Behind the bench, tall white shelves hold labeled boxes of parts and reference manuals. Soft daylight streams through a large window, supplemented by cool overhead LED panels that create crisp, even illumination with subtle reflections on metallic surfaces. Shot from a slightly elevated angle with moderate depth of field, the foreground robot parts are in sharp focus while the background shelves gently blur. The mood is focused and aspirational, with photographic realism and a clean, professional aesthetic that suggests a dedicated youth robotics education space without any visible people.
A sleek competition-style robotics arena with a polished white floor marked by bold, clean lines forming challenge zones. In the center stands a mid-sized wheeled robot built from brushed aluminum, matte black panels, and transparent polycarbonate shields revealing glowing status LEDs and precise wiring. Surrounding it are neatly arranged modular obstacles, ramps, and scoring elements in bright primary colors. Soft, even studio lighting from above eliminates harsh shadows, creating a professional, high-tech atmosphere. Captured at eye level with a slightly wide angle, the image has sharp focus throughout, emphasizing engineering detail and strategic layout. The photographic realism and clean, modern aesthetic convey a sense of serious yet exciting youth robotics competition without showing any human participants.

Our Mission

Surge Robotics Foundation advances youth through inclusive, hands-on robotics education, mentorship, and community engagement. We blend curiosity with teamwork to develop critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills for a brighter future.

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Meet the mentors

A close-up photographic view of a compact educational robot resting on a smooth, dark matte tabletop, its body made of white and charcoal-grey plastic with visible ports, sensors, and neatly routed wires. Next to it lies an open spiral-bound engineering notebook filled with hand-drawn schematics and neatly written annotations, alongside a precision caliper and a small set of hex keys. Diffused afternoon light from a nearby window casts soft highlights on plastic edges and metal tools, with gentle shadows adding depth. Captured from a low, side angle with shallow depth of field, the robot and notebook are in sharp focus while the distant background fades into a soft bokeh. The atmosphere is studious and reflective, emphasizing the design and planning side of youth robotics in a realistic, professional style.

Aarav Sharma

CEO

A diverse group of engineers, educators, researchers, and community leaders guiding youth through hands-on robotics, inspiring curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning while fostering safe, inclusive spaces for every student.

An array of small, colorful educational robots lined up diagonally across a pristine white table, each with a distinct configuration of wheels, tracks, and articulated arms made from bright plastic and exposed circuit boards. Behind them, a large digital display on a clean wall shows a simplified block-based programming interface in vivid colors, slightly out of focus. Overhead, cool, even LED lighting creates crisp, shadow-free illumination, making every detail on the robots’ sensors and connectors visible. Shot from a slightly elevated three-quarter angle, the composition uses the rule of thirds to lead the eye from the front robot to the screen. The mood is energetic and optimistic, with a photographic, modern aesthetic that highlights the connection between coding and hands-on robotics for youth learning.

Mateo García

CTO

Our team brings together researchers, industry mentors, and seasoned educators who champion curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving, ensuring students receive thoughtful guidance and real-world perspective.

A detailed robotics outreach display table set up in a minimalist event space, featuring a polished light-wood surface holding an assortment of demonstration robots, 3D-printed parts in bright colors, and clear acrylic stands explaining each project with clean, professional typography. An upright trifold board at the back showcases high-resolution photos of youth-built robots (without people visible), sponsor logos, and a mission statement about empowering young innovators. Soft, diffused overhead lighting combines with subtle side light from a nearby window, creating a balanced, professional glow with gentle reflections on acrylic and plastic. Captured straight on at eye level with sharp focus, the composition is symmetrical and organized, evoking trust, professionalism, and inspiration in a photographic, clean style suitable for a non-profit foundation.

Zuri Ndlovu

Engineer

Through strategic leadership and community partnerships, our mentors model ethical robotics practice, support project-based learning, and help families feel confident investing in their child’s growth.

A futuristic yet approachable robotics mentoring corner, shown without any people, featuring two facing workstations with matching light-wood desks and slim, modern monitors displaying schematic diagrams of robot control systems. Between them, a shared parts organizer holds neatly labeled drawers filled with sensors, microcontrollers, and connectors. On each desk sits a partially assembled mid-scale robot with metal frames and color-coded wiring. Warm, indirect LED strip lighting under wall shelves combines with soft natural light from a side window, creating a calm, focused atmosphere with gentle highlights on metal components. Shot from a slightly elevated angle with wide framing, the scene feels collaborative and inviting while maintaining a clean, professional, photographic realism that aligns with youth mentorship in robotics.

Leila Haddad

Designer

Together, these mentors shape a culture of curiosity, accountability, and mentorship that strengthens the foundation’s programs and expands opportunities for youth across all backgrounds.

Milestones News

From funding wins to program expansions and media features, Surge Robotics Foundation tracks progress that demonstrates impact, credibility, and a growing network supporting youth in robotics education.