The Gene Haas Foundation and Haas Automation proudly support FIRST Robotics. For the past 7 years they have supported robotics teams from FIRST LEGO League to FIRST Robotics Competition, as well as sponsoring the Ventura Regional for the past six years.  In addition, they began sponsoring the Las Vegas Regional starting in 2020 and have plans to continue as Haas is building a second US factory in Nevada.

After witnessing the amazing success of and benefit to FIRST students for a number of years, the Gene Haas Foundation increased their support and became a FIRST corporate sponsor for the Championships in Houston and Detroit in 2019. Additionally, millions of dollars of Gene Haas’ personal foundation funds have been donated directly to FIRST teams and FIRST schools with CNC programs for support and scholarships.

STRENGTHENING OUR MANUFACTURING ECONOMY

The mission of Gene Haas Foundation’s work with schools is to strengthen our country’s manufacturing economy by assisting schools and student organizations in training students for dynamic careers in the manufacturing industry by providing scholarships, teacher training and supporting dynamic organizations such as FIRST. Over 70 million dollars in grants to manufacturing related technologies education has been funded in the last 10 years.

In addition to the work of the foundation, Haas Automation created and fully funds HTEC (Haas Technical Education Centers) more aptly Community where educators can meet in person and digitally for training, networking, collaboration, sharing best practices and developing mentorship for new programs. HTEC conferences are held throughout North America at local schools. HTEC also has industry partnerships with related technology suppliers to assist educators with what they need to run their programs who also participate in conferences and provide resources.

Gene Haas is also known for his love of automobile racing. He owns NASCAR and F1 race teams, as well as a full-size rolling road wind tunnel in North Carolina, WINDSHEAR.

STEM CAREERS AT HAAS AUTOMATION

Join Jeremy Bout on a tour of Haas Automation where he talks about some of the many careers found at a manufacturing company.

FREE ONLINE TRAINING

Haas is also offering online training on how to operate a CNC mill and in the next couple weeks the lathe training will be released as well. For all of you looking for things to learn during these “stuck at home times” check out https://www.haascnc.com/content/haascnc/en/myhaas/haas_certification.html .

The training is FREE.  If you choose to acquire the certification, there is a charge for the test.

FIRST California would like to thank KLA for their impact on our robotics community through their generosity of time, donation, and endless passion. From raw wafers to next-generation microchips to world-altering technologies, KLA enables what’s next, including enabling tomorrow’s workforce through FIRST.  KLA is a generous sponsor of FIRST events and teams mentored by KLA employees at their offices in California, Michigan and New York.

FIRST Alumni reflect on their FIRST experience and careers at KLA.

 “FIRST introduced me to the engineering design process, good engineering principles, and working in multidisciplinary teams. Those experiences and interpersonal skills translate directly into my day-to-day work. As an alumni mentor, I strive to prepare today’s students much as I was mentored, by inspiring and enabling learning and curiosity. Also, I try to bring real-world best practices and experiences into the classroom so that the students can see how their work relates to industry.”

 “I felt like a welcomed team member (regardless of my skillset) and realized that the FIRST community really emphasized the value of inclusivity—and lived up to it. I love that there are so many opportunities available to someone who joins a Robotics Club – marketing, art, communications, engineering, etc. Just because someone isn’t interested in engineering doesn’t mean that robotics isn’t for them!  A FIRST robotics team really is a microcosm of the high-tech workforce.” 

Check out the video below that Nicole created for KLA to celebrate FIRST Robotics Competition team accomplishments during this challenging year.

We keep looking ahead with KLA and are thankful for their support in inspiring a new generation of technology innovators and leaders!  

2020 Regional Chairman’s Award Winners in California.

The Chairman’s Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST and it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST. It was created to keep the central focus of FIRST Robotics Competition on the ultimate goal of transforming the culture in ways that will inspire greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology, as well as encouraging more of today’s youth to become science and technology leaders.

We are proud to recognize the following 14 teams who earned the Regional Chairman’s Award in and from California. 

AEROSPACE VALLEY REGIONAL

Team 3925
Ventura, CA

CENTRAL VALLEY REGIONAL

DEL MAR REGIONAL

Team 1622
Poway, CA

LOS ANGELES REGIONAL

Team 4400
Torreon, Mexico

LOS ANGELES NORTH REGIONAL

Team 2429
La Canada, CA

MONTEREY BAY REGIONAL

Team 1671
Clovis, CA

ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL

Team 5810
Santa Fe Springs, CA

SACRAMENTO REGIONAL

Team 1197
Torrance, CA

SAN DIEGO REGIONAL

Team 498
Glendale, AZ

SAN FRANCISCO REGIONAL

Team 4904
San Mateo, CA

SILICON VALLEY REGIONAL

Team 604
San Jose, CA

VENTURA REGIONAL

Team 2584
Calabasas, CA

IDAHO REGIONAL

Team 3309
Anaheim, CA

ST. LOUIS REGIONAL

Team 1678
Davis, CA

2020 Woodie Flowers Finalist Awards Winners from California

The Woodie Flowers Award is special for the mentors, because it is the students’ choice.

This award celebrates outstanding communication in the art and science of engineering and design. It was created honor of the late Dr. Woodie Flowers and celebrates a mentor who, in the concisely communicated written words of students, demonstrates the leadership, ethical behavior, and communication skills exemplified by Woodie.

For each Regional event, one mentor was selected to receive the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award. Please join us in celebrating the 2020 Woodie Flowers Finalist award recipients, all from California!

AWARD RECIPIENTS:

2020 FIRST Dean’s List Finalists and Winners from California

In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of FIRST’s most outstanding secondary school students, the Kamen family sponsors awards for selected 10th or 11th grade students known as the FIRST Dean’s List Award.

Since its introduction in 2010, the FIRST Dean’s List Award has attracted the attention of prestigious colleges and universities who desire to recruit FIRST Dean’s List students.

The students who earn FIRST Dean’s List Award status are great examples of student leaders who have led their teams and communities to increased awareness for FIRST and its mission. These students have also achieved personal technical expertise and accomplishments. It is the intention of FIRST that these individuals will continue on, post-Award, as great leaders, student alumni, and advocates of FIRST.

FIRST DEAN’S LIST WINNERS FROM CALIFORNIA:

FIRST Dean’s List Winners are comprised of 10 FIRST Robotics Competition and 10 FIRST Tech Challenge students selected from the applicable FIRST Dean’s List Finalists and were announced during the FIRST Virtual Showcase. 

We are extra proud that 4 FIRST Dean’s List Winners are from California!  2 are FIRST Robotics Competition Dean’s List Winners and 2 are FIRST Tech Challenge Dean’s List Winners.

FIRST DEAN’S LIST FINALISTS FROM CALIFORNIA:

2 FIRST Dean’s List Finalists are selected at each FIRST Robotics Competition Regional.  We are highlighting the 25 FIRST Robotics Competition Dean’s List Finalists from California below as many recipients did not have the opportunity to be honored at their Regional due to the season suspension. 

DEAN’S LIST FINALIST

FIRST Robotics Competition
Las Vegas Regional

DEAN’S LIST FINALIST

FIRST Robotics Competition
Del Mar Regional

DEAN’S LIST FINALIST

FIRST Robotics Competition
Arizona North Regional

DEAN’S LIST FINALIST

FIRST Robotics Competition
Ventura Regional

DEAN’S LIST FINALIST

FIRST Robotics Competition
Los Angeles North Regional

DEAN’S LIST FINALIST

FIRST Robotics Competition
San Diego Regional

DEAN’S LIST FINALIST

FIRST Robotics Competition
Central Valley Regional

DEAN’S LIST FINALIST

FIRST Robotics Competition
Orange County Regional