Mahi Madhan Kumar, a Chaska High School junior, was recently named a For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Dean’s List Winner. This prestigious award – bestowed on just 10 students each year – is often compared to the Nobel Prize for high school robotics. Kumar was selected from more than 90,000 eligible participants. Over the past 15 years, he is one of only four Minnesota students to receive the award and the first from Eastern Carver County Schools.
Kumar joined the Chaska RoboHawks (Team 2531) this year after spending two years on the Chanhassen team. For the 2025 season, he worked on programming, machine learning and artificial intelligence for the team’s robot, instructing it what to do and how to behave. The team did well this season, making the playoffs as a first round pick at two regional competitions and placing fourth at LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
The selection process for the award is rigorous. First, students are nominated by mentors who submit essays highlighting leadership, core values and commitment to FIRST. In Kumar’s case, the nomination highlighted his skills, plus how he mentors and provides resources with other teams, including founding and coaching a FIRST Lego League elementary school team. He also coaches other teams, organizes webinars with NASA, develops robotics curriculum for children. He has even worked with leaders including Governor Tim Walz, State Senator Julia Coleman and the Chaska City Council to support and promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Following the award nomination, students go through an interview process at regional or district competitions to become finalists. Kumar was first interviewed by two judges in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. After being selected as a finalist in that round, he was one of 200 students who traveled to Houston, Texas, where judges gathered from organizations such as Yale University, NASA and John Deere to review interview summaries and choose the winners.
FIRST Robotics Dean’s List winners are selected for exceptional technical expertise, leadership, commitment to STEM and dedication to advancing the mission of FIRST Robotics. Kumar was recognized at the FIRST Championship gathering in Houston in late April as well as on the State Senate floor by Senator Julia Coleman.
Kumar has been participating in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program for a year, earning dual high school and college credits. He will return to the University of Minnesota this fall. “Some of my favorite classes have been in computer science, such as algorithms and data structures and multivariable calculus. I’m looking forward to differential equations and discrete structures in the fall,” he said.
He has other interests, as well. “I’ve been captain of the Chaska/Chanhassen debate team since ninth grade, and I’m also a Minnesota Youth Council Representative, where we advise the governor and state legislature on issues that are important to us,” he said.
After high school, Kumar plans to continue pursuing a degree in a robotics-related field. “I’m thinking about mechanical or electrical engineering, computer science or a combination of them all,” he said.
