Strawbery Banke Museum archaeologist honored by New England FIRST at the New England Premier Event

PORTSMOUTH—Alexandra “Alix” Martin, archaeologist at Strawbery Banke Museum, will be honored by New England FIRST with a competition field named in her honor at the 2026 New England FIRST Tech Challenge Premier Event on April 17–18 at the Big E in West Springfield, Mass.

FIRST, a global youth robotics organization headquartered in New Hampshire, inspires young people to become science and technology leaders. This season, all FIRST programs have explored an archaeology theme, challenging students to look to the past and discover the stories contained in every artifact. FIRST teams used their STEM skills and teamwork to study how each tool, innovation, and work of art connects to the people and ideas that came before us.

“It has been wonderful to see how this year’s theme has drawn attention to the field of archaeology,” said Ken St. Hilaire, FIRST senior mentor for New Hampshire. “Our teams have enjoyed meeting with archeologists in their communities and learning about the extraordinary work they are doing to explore and document our history.”

Throughout the 2025–2026 season, Martin engaged with dozens of FIRST teams and hundreds of students, sharing insights from her archaeological work in New Hampshire, answering questions, and providing feedback on student projects. She also participated in a virtual “Meet the Archaeologists” webinar that reached teams across New Hampshire.

“It’s been gratifying to work with students on the real challenges faced by archaeologists, from documenting conditions in the field to interpreting evidence,” said Martin. “Their innovations show an understanding that archaeology is both a scientific process and a way of telling human stories.”

Martin was featured as a guest speaker at the New Hampshire FIRST LEGO League State Championship in Bedford, New Hampshire, sharing her experiences and insights with the 48 teams competing at that event. She will attend the New England FIRST Tech Challenge Premier Event this spring, which brings together 56 teams from across New England and around the world. 

In recognition of her contributions, New England FIRST will name a competition field and division in Martin’s honor. For more information, visit nefirst.org/ftc-premier.

About FIRST  

FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future. FIRST provides life-changing, team-based K-12 robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, donors, and sponsors, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges. 

An international not-for-profit organization, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.

About New England FIRST  

New England FIRST supports the global mission of FIRST® in all six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. NE FIRST provides accessible, innovative robotics programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. NE FIRST is supported by ingenuityNE, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity incorporated in the State of Connecticut. Learn more at nefirst.org.

About Strawbery Banke Museum
Strawbery Banke Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a nearly 10-acre history museum in downtown Portsmouth, NH, interpreting over 350 years of history—from Indigenous peoples to the present day. The Museum features historic houses on their original sites, heirloom gardens, traditional crafts, and costumed roleplayers sharing stories of Puddle Dock residents. Strawbery Banke welcomes visitors, members, schoolchildren, and volunteers year-round for daily programs, exhibits, skating, and signature events. Funding is provided in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom; and the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program.