Team 5985 Project Bucephalus
“From Wollongong, Project Bucephalus builds STEM into the heart of a Steel city – and reaches across the world. We fill classrooms with those that normally miss out. Why? Because that’s who we are.
We are the under-represented and remote. The Refugees, Immigrants, and Aboriginal. The disabled and the dismissed. We are the misfits, the isolated, and the bullied. This opportunity changed our lives.” (2025 FIRST Impact Presentation)
A self-funded community team, Project Bucephalus works to a mission of “Create Opportunity, Transform the Community”, reaching those normally overlooked. Over 70% of the team have a disability or disorder. They represent a staggering range of cultures, genders, academic backgrounds, sexualities, religions, financial backgrounds and just about any other human characteristic possible.
Starting 221 FIRST Teams and mentoring 343, Project Bucephalus is the heart of FIRST in Wollongong – running the Wollongong FIRST LEGO Lague Explore Expo, FIRST LEGO Lague Challenge Regional, FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier, and FIRST Robotics Competition Kick-Off.
The team’s foundation is the Teaching Program: LEGO robotics classes run weekly and during holidays across the South Coast of NSW. Each week, the team travels 760km+ to reach up to 250 kids! A class has run every day of every school week since 2015, accumulating 10,000+ volunteer hours each year.
Realising 51% of Teaching Program participants had a disability, Project Bucephalus created Unlimited – a LEGO robotics program for Special Education students, expanding to Life Skills and Vocational Training for Disability Support Providers. Federal government and healthcare providers recognise these programs as therapy.
Next came Unstoppable: using FIRST to divert youth from criminal or anti-social behaviour. Project Bucephalus members work in behavioural schools with at-risk students from backgrounds of trauma, abuse, neglect and addiction – many already involved in the justice system. This peer-led program breaks the cycle of reoffending.
Presentation Video
Team Video
The Allaire Medal – Leadership Exemplified
The Allaire Medal recognizes leadership exemplified, Team 5985 awarded this medal to two students who demonstrated outstanding leadership and whose personal character best embodies the spirit of FIRST.
Anastasia’s disabilities prevent her from being a “traditional” leader, so she showed 5985 how to redefine leadership: working to ability instead of a job description, paving the way for future students. Motivated by a keen sense of justice, Anastasia staunchly defends those affected by inequity or unfairness and champions STEM Education for children with disabilities. A powerful role model, she ensures disability is visible in positions of leadership and achievement within her team and community. Anastasia has leading roles in CAD, Manufacturing and Machining teams. To her, every task for 5985 is done proudly – from scrubbing toilets to driving the robot. She inspires others to do the same. She has competed simultaneously in FLL, FTC and FRC, is a Dean’s List Finalist, part of the 5985 Pit Crew, and has a key role in running Unified Robotics in Australia.
Alysse
If you’ve ever seen 5985 at a public demonstration, you’ve met Alysse! A tireless advocate of FIRST, she can regularly be found engaging the public via robot or conversation – and spending hours preparing, setting up, and packing down. Her impact on the public grows further as a Media Lead, taking a key role in the production of the 5985 Impact Videos – combing through countless hours of footage, writing storyboards, and managing the media team as they produce footage. Alysse is a leader in the 5985 Teaching program, truly shining in her mentorship of younger children. She spends hours each week teaching LEGO robotics classes, and mentors FLL Challenge teams each year. She establishes meaningful connections with her students, engaging them for years at a time.
2025
Championship
FIRST Impact Award Winner
Learn More
Visit Project Bucephalus at www.projectb.net.au to learn more.