Los Angeles FTC Championship – 2019

Another fine FIRST Tech Challenge season is in the books!

Here are the results from the Los Angeles FTC Championship on March 9, 2019:

Inspire: 3526 Marlbots
Inspire 1st Runner Up: 10298 BrainStormz
Inspire 2nd Runner Up: 9881 Golden Gears
 
Winning Alliance Captain: 10298 BrainStormz
Winning Alliance 1st Picked: 4625 Kings and Queens
Winning Alliance 2nd Picked: 9512 Hippie Bots
 
Finalist Alliance Captain: 14921 AlphaOmega
Finalist Alliance 1st Picked: 5921 La Canada Engineering Club
Finalist Alliance 2nd Picked: 9873 Pika Tech
 

Think Award:

1. 542 WHS Robotics
2. 5218 Javabots
3. 6325 Aluminati

Connect Award:

1. 9881 Golden Gears
2. 4628 Suit Bots
3. 3526 Marlbots

Collins Aerospace Innovate Award:

1. 8564 Lockdown
2. 9881 Golden Gears
3. 12861 RoboHeros

Design Award:

1. 5921 La Canada Engineering Club
2. 3526 Marlbots
3. 10298 BrainStormz

Motivate Award:

1. 12525 Wolf Corp
2. 8564 Lockdown
3. 5218 Javabots

Control Award:

1. 5380 Electromedics Red
2. 12525 Wolf Corp
3. 12861 RoboHeros

Compass Award:

1. Julie Townsend, nominated by 5218 Javabots

2. Lloyd Kwan, nominated by 8564 Lockdown

3. Paul Flores, nominated by 9512 Hippie Bots

Promote Award:

1. 542 WHS Robotics

2. 3526 Marlbots

3. 8564 Lockdown

4. 6371 Machine Kings

Advancement

The following Los Angeles teams advance to the FIRST Tech Challenge Houston championship:

  • 3526 Marlbots
  • 10298 BrainStormz (previously advanced)
  • 4625 Kings and Queens
  • 9881 Golden Gears
  • 9512 Hippie Bots
  • 542 WHS Robotics
  • 14921 AlphaOmega
  • 5921 La Canada Engineering Club

The above results were reposted from the SoCal/Greater LA FTC Newsletter.  To sign-up for their newsletter, visit their FIRST TECH SOCAL webpage.

8th Annual Central Valley FIRST Robotics Regional – 2019

8th Annual Central Valley FIRST Robotics Regional – 2019

Congratulations to the 49 teams from California, Utah and Chinese Taipei PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the 8th Annual Central Valley FIRST Robotics Regional!


ABC30

ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!

The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Central Valley Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston in April.

Regional Chairman’s Award

Team 1678, Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
The Chairman’s 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 FIRSTIt remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award.  The Chairman’s 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 Chairman’s Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.

Engineering Inspiration

Team 585, Cyber Penguins from Tehachapi, CA
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.

Regional Winners

Team 1323, MadTown Robotics from Madera, CA
Team 1678, Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
Team 7663, Sleuth Robotics from Fresno, CA

From Citrus Circuit’s Facebook page: A successful climb with two other robots to the third level, scoring a full 36 points during their second quarterfinals match.


Rookie All-Star Award

Team 7589 – Lishan Blue Magpies from Taipei Special Municipality, Chinese Taipei
This award celebrates a 1st year team demonstrating an early but strong partnership effort, implementing the mission of FIRST.  Its winner understands what FIRST is really trying to accomplish and realizes that technical work is fun and challenging, made better by building a partnership among team, community and school.  This is not an easy challenge for a rookie team but the judges want to recognize and reward one team that got it right.

Regional Finalists

(Advancing to Championships because of 2 Wild Cards)
Team 5026, Iron Panthers from Burlingam, CA
Team 1072, Harker Robotics from San Jose, CA

Dean’s List Finalist

FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Cyrus Najmi-Vannini from Team 3495, MindCraft Robotics
FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Maya Kesapradist from Team 6241, CowTech
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.

Woodie Flowers Finalist Award

Mary Allen – Mentor for Team 6305, Stable Circuits

Additional Awards

Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Central Valley Regional! See the list here.


Media Attention

ABC30


Photo Gallery

2019 Central Valley Regional
Feel free to use and share!


We hope you too had a memorable experience at the Central Valley Regional.  We’d love to hear your stories.  Please consider sharing them with us here in the comments below or on our facebook page.  Photo and video links welcome!
 

13th Annual San Diego FIRST Robotics Regional presented by Qualcomm – 2019

13th Annual San Diego FIRST Robotics Regional presented by Qualcomm – 2019

Congratulations to the 47 Teams from California, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands PLUS Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the 13th Annual San Diego FIRST Robotics Regional Competition presented by Qualcomm, March 6-9, 2019!

ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!

The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the San Diego Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston in April.

Regional Chairman’s Award

Team 1622, Spyder – from Poway, CA


The Chairman’s 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 FIRSTIt remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award.  The Chairman’s 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 Chairman’s Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.
Here’s what the Judges had to say –

This team has consistently demonstrated the ideals of FIRST by inspiring teenagers throughout their community to pursue careers in engineering and STEM. They have created an innovation and engineering culture by establishing a women in engineering chapter, starting multiple teams in Title 1 schools, working with politicians to bring about legislative change, and more outreach than we can count. Providing a true model for other FIRST teams to emulate.
This innovation culture expanded globally as they provided mentoring, sustainability education, and financial support to teams in other countries with limited resources. Their web of influence may not get them to Hollywood, but they are going to Championships.”


Engineering Inspiration

Team 2485, W.A.R Lords – from San Diego, CA


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.
Here’s what the judges had to say –

This team’s impact extends from their school to the world stage. An eighth of their student body is engaged with various FIRST programs. They join with two other local teams to sponsor “Battle at the Border” during the off season. They sponsor FLL and FLL Jr. teams in eastern Europe. Inclusive engagement and empowerment which draws girls into STEM is a total WOW. Their outreach has no boundaries or walls.”


Regional Winners

Team 987, High Rollers – from Las Vegas, NV


Team 3647, Millennium Falcons – from San Diego, CA

Team 6995, NOMAD – from Escondido, CA

 


Rookie All-Star Award

Team 7626, NLHS – from Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei

This award celebrates a 1st year team demonstrating an early but strong partnership effort, implementing the mission of FIRST.  Its winner understands what FIRST is really trying to accomplish and realizes that technical work is fun and challenging, made better by building a partnership among team, community and school.  This is not an easy challenge for a rookie team but the judges want to recognize and reward one team that got it right.
Here’s what the judges had to say –

This team is off to a great start!  With their focus on “learning by doing”, they recognize that building a strong, sustainable team is more important than building a robot.  They defined goals and objectives, created a thorough business plan, documented their team and engineering processes, and established a team structure organized to support their efforts.
In their rookie season, this team has shown all of us their honor and that they will never lose their self-confidence as they smoothly sail into the future.”

Regional Finalist

(advancing to Championships because of 3 wildcards)
Team 2839, Daedalus from Escondido

 
Team 6695, Alpha Knights from San Marcos

Team 3245, Ravens from Sandy, UT

Dean’s List Finalist

FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Ethan Champion from Team 1622, Spyder

FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Farrah Kaiyom from Team 3647, Millennium Falcons

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.

Woodie Flowers Finalist Award

Todd Parr – Mentor for Team 1622, Spyder

Additional Awards

Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the San Diego Regional! See the list here.


SPECIAL EVENTS

Women In Stem Event


Sponsored by Viasat

Alumni Mixer


Support

An immense THANK YOU to all the Sponsors who contributed to this very successful Regional with funding, mentors, volunteers and enthusiasm!
Regional Sponsors include Qualcomm Incorporated, Marathon, ViaSat, General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation, Leidos, Hewlett Packard, Booz Allen Hamilton and Solar Turbines.

Qualcomm sponsored teams

Media Attention

Photos

  • 123EVENTPHOTOGRAPHY: The 2019 San Diego Regional WEB & DEVICE-FRIENDLY Gallery contains high quality (but lower resolution) images to upload fast for your phone, devices and social media, etc.
  • 123EVENTPHOTOGRAPHY:The 2019 San Diego Regional HIGH RESOLUTION Gallery contains high resolution images that should only be used to make prints from. NOTE: The device you are downloading to must have the available memory/storage. They recommend using a desktop computer with an external hard drive or a flash drive. By selecting to download any images, you assume all resulting responsibility.
  • TOM LAFLEUR: 2019 San Diego Regional Gallery

Please be sure to assign the photo credits on your shared images for the above photographers. 


We hope you too had a memorable experience at the San Diego Regional.  We’d love to hear your stories.  Please consider sharing them with us here in the comments below or on our facebook page.  Photo and video links welcome!

Inaugural Del Mar FIRST Robotics Regional – 2019

Inaugural Del Mar FIRST Robotics Regional – 2019

Congratulations to the 35 teams from California, Hawaii, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Turkey, Chile and Mexico PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the inaugural Del Mar FIRST Robotics Regional, Feb 28-Mar 3, 2019!

ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!

The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Del Mar Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston in April.

Regional Chairman’s Award

Team 399, Eagle Robotics – from Lancaster, CA


The Chairman’s 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 FIRSTIt remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award.  The Chairman’s 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 Chairman’s Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.
Here’s what the Judges had to say –

“This team has shown a sustained and strong commitment by establishing programs to introduce students of all ages to STEM and FIRST principles. They host multiple events to expose their community and emphasize underserved and under-represented groups. They broaden their horizons and impact through international outreach, but their true passion for FIRST is found closer to the nest.
The key part of this community focus; is to create a strong partnership with their district to support robotics teachers, provide facilities, and teach other teams how to start and grow. This “CORE” focus on their local community shows that FIRST can blossom, thrive, and soar above the desert.”


Engineering Inspiration

Team 2012, Paradox – from Encinitas, CA


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.
Here’s what the judges had to say –

“This established student led team actively reaches out throughout their community promoting FIRST ideals. From branding FIRST through an annual district wide marketing meeting to inspiring new team members through a customized learning program, they continuously foster FIRST ideals. Developing team members through active mentoring and student led classes allow all their members to achieve their potential. How a team with 35 rookie members can perform at such a top level is a paradox to us.”


Regional Winners

Team 4414, HighTide – from Ventura, CA

Team 3647, Millennium Falcons – from San Diego

Team 5526, tCATs – from Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico


Regional Finalist

(advancing to Championship event due to a Wildcard)
Team 2576, Chilean Heart from Santiago, Chile

Rookie All-Star Award

Team 7426, Pair of Dice – from Las Vegas, NV


This award celebrates a 1st year team demonstrating an early but strong partnership effort, implementing the mission of FIRST.  Its winner understands what FIRST is really trying to accomplish and realizes that technical work is fun and challenging, made better by building a partnership among team, community and school.  This is not an easy challenge for a rookie team but the judges want to recognize and reward one team that got it right.
Here’s what the judges had to say –

“While it should be no surprise as to who the winner is – we wanted to highlight how strong of a robotic team this is…
One year in, with a crew of 20 mostly sophomores, they have recruited and supported multiple FRC and FLL teams, and their mentor leaves little to chance. May the rest of your inaugural season go as smoothly as this one, as you have qualified to attend the Championships!”

Dean’s List Finalist

FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Lawrence Chang from Team 8, Paly Robotics


FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Blake Lieber from Team 2102, Paradox

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.

Woodie Flowers Finalist Award

Patrick Rambo Vieira – Mentor for Team 7426, Pair of Dice Robotics 


Additional Awards

Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Del Mar Regional! See the list here.

Photos

  • The 2019 Del Mar Regional WEB & DEVICE-FRIENDLY Gallery contains high quality (but lower resolution) images to upload fast for your phone, devices and social media, etc.
  • The 2019 Del Mar Regional HIGH RESOLUTION Gallery contains high resolution images that should only be used to make prints from. NOTE: The device you are downloading to must have the available memory/storage. They recommend using a desktop computer with an external hard drive or a flash drive. By selecting to download any images, you assume all resulting responsibility.

Please be sure to assign the photo credit to @123eventphotography on your shared images.


We hope you too had a memorable time at the Del Mar Regional.  We’d love to hear your stories.  Please consider sharing them with us here in the comments below or on our facebook page.  Photo and video links welcome!

4th Annual Orange County FIRST Robotics Regional – 2019

4th Annual Orange County FIRST Robotics Regional – 2019

Congratulations to the 50 Teams from California, Colorado, China and the Netherlands PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the 4th Annual Orange County FIRST Robotics Regional, Feb 27 – Mar 2, 2019!

ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!

The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Orange County Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston in April.

Regional Chairman’s Award

Team 3309, Friarbots from Anaheim, CA
The Chairman’s 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 Chairman’s 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 Chairman’s Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.
What the judges had to say …

“They fuel the mission of FIRST into Deep Space with cost free STEM outreach activities.  They make a deep impact on the FIRST community by hosting events for teams from galaxies far, far away. This team also lights the way for the future with “out of this world” summer camps and Battleship Blast.”

Engineering Inspiration

Team 4481, Team Rembrandts from Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
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.
What the judges had to say …

“This team brings energy and happiness as they work with alliance partners to support teams within FIRST and hold mind blowing outreach events and SolidWorks tutorials. This team inspires FLL, FTC and FRC, all levels of FIRST, to blast off with passion for STEM. They fuel the mission of engineering with youth inspiring youth and support for a round the clock call center. If things get complicated, bring in the Dutch.

Regional Winners

Team 330, The Beach Bots from Hermosa Beach, CA
Team 973, Greybots from Atascadero, CA
Team 597, The Wolverines from Los Angeles, CA


Rookie All-Star Award

Team 7447, Ronin Robotics from Irvine, CA
This award celebrates a 1st year team demonstrating an early but strong partnership effort, implementing the mission of FIRST.  Its winner understands what FIRST is really trying to accomplish and realizes that technical work is fun and challenging, made better by building a partnership among team, community and school.  This is not an easy challenge for a rookie team but the judges want to recognize and reward one team that got it right.
What the judges had to say …

“In the midst of creating their very own robot they have committed a generous amount of community service directly related to middle school robotics programs. By combining forces with tech, innovation and programming they have become bulldogs for inspiring others. These samurai inspire students to pursue an education and career in STEM.”

Regional Finalists

(Advancing to Championships because of 3 Wild Cards)
Team 4079, Quantum Leap from Cypress, CA
Team 4276, Surf City Vikings from Huntington Beach, CA
Team 5805, SMbly Required from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Dean’s List Finalist

FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Adrian Machado from Team 3309, Friarbots
FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Marc Anthony Maciel from Team 7157, μBotics
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.

Woodie Flowers Finalist Award

Shaoni Bandyopadhyay – Mentor for Team 812, The Midnight Mechanics

Additional Awards

Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Orange County Regional! See the list here.


Support

An immense THANK YOU to all the Sponsors who contributed to this very successful Regional with funding, mentors, volunteers and enthusiasm! Regional Sponsors include PWC, Marathon, Walt Disney Imagineering, Applied Medical, Southern California Edison, Boeing, Comcast, Coxs, First American, Hewlett Packard.

Media Attention

We hope you too had a memorable experience at the Orange County Regional.  We’d love to hear your stories.  Please consider sharing them with us here in the comments below or on our facebook page.  Photo and video links welcome!

FIRST LEGO League teams build a brighter future at LEGOLAND

FIRST LEGO League teams build a brighter future at LEGOLAND

In March, LEGOLAND California was host to 2 separate FIRST LEGO League events.


Spring Showdown – 3/16-3/17

With the regular FIRST LEGO League season wrapped up, LEGOLAND® California played host to the 11th annual Spring Showdown last month. Spring Showdown is an event specific to LEGOLAND California that began as an effort to keep FIRST LEGO League teams interested in robotics year round.
Using current FIRST LEGO League board and repurposing the mission models to a new theme, Spring Showdown is a way to get FIRST LEGO League teams thinking outside the box while challenging them.
This year’s Spring Showdown theme was Robots of Tomorrow.
The premise: complete the missions of the past to save the future of LEGOs.  Taking from the FIRST Robotics Competition playbook of alliance partners, the “On the Spot” challenge is a part of the competition where teams are assigned to work with two other teams, “alliance partners”, to complete a series of missions they have never seen before. Partners are given 90 minutes to work together before they compete.
Many thanks to Paul Kass, the creator and director for this event and has been a part of FIRST LEGO League for 16 years!


FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. International Open Expo – 3/29-3/31

Thirty FIRST LEGO League Jr teams from across the US and around the world took over LEGOLAND California for the 2nd annual FIRST LEGO League Jr International Expo. Teams came from United States, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Egypt, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria and Costa Rica.

This event introduces our youngest teams to educational travel, new cultural experiences, and a chance to bond with other children who are also beginning their journey of engagement with FIRST. The Open Expo experience enhances the camaraderie, learning, fun, and cultural sharing of FIRST, and provides teams an opportunity to showcase their work and learn from each other in a fun, unique, exciting and supportive venue.


A HUGE thank you to all the volunteers that help make these exciting and complex events fun and successful!

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