Dr. Shelley Nordman founded Code Orange six years ago in her garage. Her son was a part of Team 2493 Robokong for one year prior to the inception of Code Orange. After a year of driving from Orange County to Riverside in order for her son to be apart of an FRC team, Dr. Nordman decided it was time for an FRC team in Orange County. After communicating with lead mentors of other teams, she reached out to members of her son’s homeschool group and brought
students to the LA regional and hosted an event at her home during the 2010 Championships for homeschooled families to expose them to FIRST.
Since the beginning, we’ve been honored with multiple Chairman and division wins, judges award, and many other accolades as a direct result of Shelley’s passion and dedication towards FIRST and Code Orange. “She has worked tirelessly for old students, new students, and students not even on Code Orange. She maintains a bright, mature, professional, yet completely friendly and open attitude no matter what the situation” says 3476 student.
Shelley always has a positive attitude and constantly looks for ways to improve the experience that students have on Code Orange. For example, we have run into many instances of miscommunication with our lead mentors and student leaders. She worked with our team captains to set up and moderate weekly meetings between the groups which greatly improved communication.
Dr.Nordman has not only impacted students on Code Orange, but students all over Orange County. She is a founding member and sits on the board of directors of the Orange County Robotics Alliance (OCRA). She is also on the board of directors for the OC Regional, and is on the Regional Planning Committee. After realizing the lack of kickoffs for Orange County teams, Shelley proposed hosting an official kickoff event for OC teams. OCRA has continued on to host many events: kickoffs, workshops, and networking meetings. These events have benefited FIRST teams and students all over OC and without Shelley’s dedication to bettering FIRST OC these events would have not been possible.
Shelley has also inspired the lives FLL students, by providing input into our FLL team’s presentations and robots. She is the tournament director of Code Orange’s annual FLL qualifying tournament and frequently volunteers as a judge at other tournaments.
Many alumni have gone on to become FIRST mentors. The team has also attracted FIRST alumni from other teams to serve as mentors, and Shelley mentors these newer mentors of 3476. One alumni and recent mentor says “Shelley has inspired me to be an effective mentor by always being kind and selfless and always teaching students but while also learning from others”
This contagious attitude and outlook that has made her such an influential mentor. Shelley Nordman has dedicated her life to inspiring students of all ages to improve themselves through the FIRST program resulting in several young team members eager to pursue their passion.
