Kudos to the 48 teams, along with their mentors, volunteers, sponsors, friends, and family members from across California, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Hawaii, Singapore, The Netherlands and China for their outstanding participation in the Ventura County Regional of the FIRST Robotics Competition, held from March 7-10, 2024.
A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to all the sponsors, mentors, and volunteers who played a crucial role in making this Regional a tremendous success.
We trust that your time at the Ventura County Regional was truly unforgettable!
LIST OF TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Ventura County Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 17-20, 2024.
FIRST Impact Award
The FIRST Impact Award represents the true spirit of FIRST. It honors the team that best serves as a model for other teams to emulate and that embodies the goals of FIRST. It remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award. The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants, school, and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season or school year. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture. The recipient will be invited to the FIRST Championship where it will compete for the FIRST Impact Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.
- Team 8, Paly Robotics from Palo Alto, CA
This team exhibits steam with creative strategies and art in the mind’s eye. Persistence and passion for others ensures this team’s impact story is a page-turner. Close your eyes and imagine mapping the environment to ability and beyond!
Engineering Inspiration
The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community. This team will advance to the Championships and receive a $5000 NASA grant toward registration.
- Team 589, Falcon Robotics from La Crescenta, CA (Championship Qualifying Award)
These birds of prey SOARED to success to include everyone playing a part. This team migrated from a tank drive to a swerve drive this year. Their successful Engineering Expo was inspirational and brought communities together.
Regional Winners
- Team 4414, High Tide from Ventura, CA (Championship Qualifying Award)
- Team 4481, Rembrandts from the Netherlands (Championship Qualifying Award)
- Team 4276, Surf City Vikings from Huntington Beach, CA (Championship Qualifying Award – wildcard)
- Team 3863, Pantherbotics from Newbury Park, CA
Rookie All Star
- Team 9421, Carmel Robotics from Hong Kong, China (Championship Qualifying Award – wildcard)
Dean’s List Finalist
In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of FIRST’s most outstanding FRC students, the Kamen family sponsors an award for selected top students known as the FIRST Dean’s List. This award celebrates a student’s outstanding leadership and effectiveness in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and engineers, both within their school, as well as their community. FIRST Dean’s List Finalists will compete at the championship for the FIRST Dean’s List.
- Ethan L with Team 589, Falcon Robotics
- Daniela S with Team 687, The Nerd Herd
Woodie Flowers Finalist Award
FIRST stands apart from other competitions in STEM and sports due to the FIRST Ethos of Gracious Professionalism, the concept of Coopertition, and the commitment to the FIRST Core Values. The guiding force behind these principles was Dr. Woodie Flowers. Dr. William Murphy, Jr., who was instrumental in creating the concept of FIRST with Dean Kamen, recognized the unique perspective, wisdom, and communication style that Woodie brought to the FIRST Robotics Competition.
In honor of Woodie, Dr. Murphy founded the Woodie Flowers Award in 1996. He recognized that the FIRST ethos would be carried forward by our FIRST mentors and sought to celebrate those mentors who demonstrate the leadership, ethical behavior, and communication skills exemplified by Woodie. Woodie believed “societies get the best of what they celebrate”.
Being recognized by students, through nomination essays, makes this honor very meaningful to mentors. It is truly an honor for a mentor to be nominated for this award.
- Paul Booth from Team 4817, One Degree North
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates the dedication and service of truly outstanding volunteers. The phenomenal success of the FIRST Robotics Competition is a reflection of the commitment and enthusiasm displayed by our volunteers. We are truly humbled by the passion and commitment of our volunteers.
- Ken Foulks
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Ventura County Regional! See the list here.