Our Story
Empowering the
Innovators of Tomorrow
FutureForward was built on a simple belief: every student can go pro. Not someday, not in theory, but through hands-on engineering education that meets a professional standard.
Our Story
Born in a Makerspace
FutureForward started in 2023 inside Cherokee Makerspace in Acworth, GA. The makerspace had the equipment, the space, and a community of makers willing to mentor. All it needed was students ready to use it. A handful of middle and high schoolers showed up, and Team 23638 Firestorm was born.
Having a real shop changed what was possible. From day one, students had access to CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, and manual machines, the same tools used by professional engineers. That access meant students could design, prototype, and iterate at a pace most teams never reach.
Three seasons in, FutureForward fields two world-class FTC teams and a roster of professional mentors. Trophies are nice, but they are not the point. What we really build is professionals: students with the character, skill, and confidence to walk into any engineering role and contribute from day one.
Our Coaches
Meet the Team
Experienced mentors who bring real-world engineering expertise into the classroom.
Harrison Forsythe
Mechanical Lead
Mechatronics engineering student at Kennesaw State University. Leads hands-on fabrication, CAD design, and drivetrain development.
Andrew Cua
Programming Mentor
Data Engineer at nVoq. Computer Science graduate from Georgia Tech. Specializes in autonomous programming, sensor integration, and computer vision.
Elijah Wells
Engineering Lead
Applied Mathematics student at Kennesaw State University. Bridges mechanical design and software, leading system integration and robot engineering.
Mason Ho
Programming Mentor
Software Engineer at NCR. Computer Science graduate from Georgia Tech. Guides students through the FTC SDK, Java programming, and software engineering best practices.
Julia Kong
Marketing Mentor
Guides students in engineering notebook documentation, judged presentations, sponsor outreach, and personal branding. Helps every student learn to communicate their work like a professional.
Alexander Cua
Executive Director
Executive Director of Cherokee Makerspace. Woodie Flowers Award Finalist. Oversees FutureForward's additive manufacturing program and makerspace operations.
Engineering Advisory Board
Industry Experts
Meet the professionals who bring decades of experience in manufacturing, automation, and industrial design to our program.
John Witzigreuter
Manufacturing & Product Design
Professional Engineer, serial entrepreneur, and co-founder of Cherokee Makerspace. Holder of over 49 U.S. patents across power tools, biomedical devices, and consumer products sold in thousands of retail stores worldwide. Mentors students on transforming complex CAD concepts into market-ready physical reality.
Joshua Jameson
Industrial Design & Prototyping
Founder and Principal Designer at Devise Designs with a background in Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering. Specializes in accelerating product innovation through prototype-intensive, iterative processes. Teaches students how to balance aesthetic form with mechanical function.
Robert Henderson
Control Systems & Automation
Senior Engineer at Rockwell Automation specializing in control systems and automated workflows. Bridges the gap between student robotics and world-class industrial standards, teaching students how to design robust, fail-proof logic for high-stakes competition.
Rudy Weekley
Shop Safety & Risk Management
Safety Manager at Morrison Products. Instills a professional safety-first culture that mirrors a real-world manufacturing environment. Guides the team through rigorous risk assessment and shop protocols, ensuring every student operates with the discipline expected in the engineering industry.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Six principles that guide how we prepare every student to go pro.
Curiosity
We encourage students to ask why, experiment freely, and learn from every failure.
Teamwork
Every robot is built by a team. We teach students to collaborate, communicate, and lead.
Excellence
We hold ourselves to a high standard: in our robots, our code, and our sportsmanship.
Inclusivity
STEM belongs to everyone. We welcome students of all backgrounds, skill levels, and learning styles.
Innovation
There is always a better way. We push students to think creatively and design beyond convention.
Community
We are proud to be rooted in Acworth, GA. Our students give back through outreach and mentoring.
Proudly Supported By
Our Partners
Track Record
Competition Results
A look at how our teams have performed on the competitive stage.
2023-2024
Team 23638 - Firestorm
- Inaugural season for Firestorm
- Judges Award recipient
- 100-point autonomous routine
2024-2025
Team 23638 - Firestorm
Team 24681 - Atlanta Droids
- Inaugural season for Atlanta Droids
- Control Award and Innovate Award recipient (Firestorm)
- State high score co-held by both teams
- Winning Alliance Captain at League Tournament (Firestorm)
- Winning Alliance Captain at State Competition (Atlanta Droids)
- Both teams qualified for World Championship
2025-2026
CurrentTeam 23638 - Firestorm
Team 26481 - Frostbite
- Atlanta Droids rebranded as Frostbite
- Control Award and Think Award 2nd Place recipient (Firestorm)
- State Competition quarter-finalist (Firestorm)
- State high score holder (Firestorm)
- Qualified for premier event (Firestorm)
Join the FutureForward Family
We're always looking for passionate students and dedicated mentors. Reach out to learn how to get involved.
Get In Touch