Congratulations to the 36 teams PLUS all the mentors, volunteers, sponsors, friends and family members from California and India who participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition Monterey Bay Regional from March 27-30, 2024.

This year, the event was lucky to have by Collin Fultz, the director of FRC, in attendance! Another highlight of the event was the Women in STEM gathering, generously sponsored by Apple, featuring over 100 enthusiastic participants. This gathering was made even more memorable with delicious ice cream from Revival, a locally and woman-owned business, and an empowering talk by Kate Bergeron, Apple’s Vice President of Hardware.

In addition to the competition, the event fostered mentorship and networking through a well-received mentor networking lunch attended by 50 mentors. Discussions and exchanges at this lunch underscored the vibrant community spirit inherent to FIRST events. The mentor lounge, declared the best of the season, offered a relaxing environment with coffee, tea, and comfortable seating, further enhancing the experience for mentors. 

The competition itself was a showcase of ingenuity and teamwork. PG&E’s participation, offering information on internships and opportunities, highlighted the event’s role in bridging the gap between education and industry, ensuring that the spirit of innovation continues beyond the competition.

We’d like to extend an immense THANK YOU to all the sponsors, mentors and volunteers who contributed to this very successful Regional.

We hope you too had a memorable experience! 

AWARDS

FIRST Impact Award

The FIRST Impact Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.   

The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture.  The recipient team will be invited to a FIRST Championship where it will compete for the FIRST Impact Award against winners from other qualifying events.

• Team 649, MSET Fish from Saratoga, CA

Like many teams, this team ORGANIZED and DELIVERED SIGNIFICANT outreach to elementary and middle school students. Their reach for FLL teams increased 400-plus percent with 1000 team hours. They taught middle schoolers about STEM, INSPIRING them. Beyond this, this middle-sized team saw a need BEYOND THEIR AREA. Beyond California, beyond the United States, to another country. Helping young people learn English gave those needy young people access to learning STEM in rural areas, supporting a new FRC team there, and more! Their efforts INSPIRED us with its IMPACT. At another level, the members of this team saw the need for government funding and recognition of STEM education. As part of Students Association for STEM Advocacy, three years ago, then as the catalyst and co-founder of California Association for STEM Advocacy, with ANNUAL CONFERENCES and many visits to elected officials, even writing legislation for STEM funding, this team believes “ADVOCACY DOESN’T WORK WITHOUT COMMUNITY”.. Through SCHOOLS OF FISH, this team makes RIPPLES of IMPACT turn into WAVES of CHANGE.

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 4135, Iron Patriots from Modesto, CA

When you are FORGED IN FIRE your impact is long lasting. No matter the age, no matter the audience, this team promotes STEM and FIRST to all. With a Mo-dest do-meaner (modest demeanor) this team has been recognized by leaders of their community both big and small for their passionate advocacy and actions. Constantly on the go with community engagement this team is SUPER SCO-NIC.

Regional Winners

• Team 1323, Madtown Robotics from Madera, CA (Championship Qualifying Award)
• Team 604, Quixilver from San Jose, CA (Championship Qualifying Award)
• Team 2035, Rockin’ Bots from Carmel, CA(Championship Qualifying Award – wildcard)

Regional Finalist

• Team 971, Spartan Robotics from Mountain View, CA (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.

• Lilja K – Team 115, MVRT
• Isa B – 9006, Cresent Wing Robotics

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.

•  Eugene Fang – Team 604, Quixilver

Additional Awards

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

The Monterey Bay Regional welcomed 36 teams this year from California, Arizona and Chinese Taipei at Seaside High School from March 29 – April 1, 2023.  The weather on setup day was a bit challenging, and we were thrilled that Mother Nature cooperated for the rest of the event.  Many teams enjoyed the location and took some time to enjoy the nearby Monterey beach.

Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined us during the qualification matches and delivered a great talk to the students about the importance of STEM.  He was then shown around the event and spent time speaking with many students and teams.

Other highlights of the event were the Mentor Networking event which was hosted by Team 971 from Mountain View CA, and the FIRST Impact Award Exchange which was hosted by Team 1671 from Clovis CA.

The Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Roby Hyde from Team 5104 in Pacific Grove CA, and the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award was given to Matt Lussier from Team 7413 in Pacific Grove CA.

The winning alliance was Team 1323 from Madera CA, Team 5940 from Redwood City CA, and Team 6998 from Chinese Taipei.  It was great to see an international alliance take home the honors!

The FIRST Impact Award winner was Team 2486 from Flagstaff AZ. Congratulations to all teams for a great event!

LIST OF TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!

The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Monterey Bay Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 19-22, 2023

FIRST Impact Award

The FIRST Impact Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.   

The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture.  The recipient team will be invited to a FIRST Championship where it will compete for the FIRST Impact Award against winners from other qualifying events.

This team has organized outreach events, led workshops, hosted competitions, and sponsored teams – building strong FIRST LINKAGES everywhere they go. Their strong advocacy for STEM with their local government has impacted countless people and driven real change. Their focus on mentorship and accessibility reaches many in their surrounding isolated communities.

They are truly NUTS about the FIRST mission and THEY are the change we love to see! Way to go Team 2486!

• Team 2486 – CocoNuts from Flagstaff, AZ

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.

Not only are they building innovative robots, but they are working to transform a culture. They understand that not all learning can be done through books which is why these COOL CATS are working through all levels of their government to promote STEM and FIRST.

• Team 6998 – Unipards from Tainin, Chinese Taipei

Regional Winners

• Team 1323 – MadTown Robotics from Madera, CA
• Team 5940 – BREAD from Redwood City, CA
• Team 6998 – Unipards from Tainin, Chinese Taipei

Regional Finalist (wildcard)

• Team 9125 – Mechanical Magicians from Newark, CA
• Team 8033 – Highlander Robotics from Piedmont, CA

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.

• Eleanor Lyons from Team 7413, Plus Ultra
• Sindhu Gokaraju Team 4255, Robodores 

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.

​​This mentor is a volunteer, mentor, advocate, and inspiration and has helped multiple teams. Students share how this mentor “promotes a wonderful work ethic, makes us laugh during stressful times, opens doors for us, and believes in us.”  He provides insight in technical, logistical, and business skills to his students. “Every day we interact with him, he inspires us to be better people.”

• Matthew Lussier from Team 7413, Plus Ultra

Additional Awards

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

Congratulations to the 36 Teams PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the Monterey Bay FIRST Robotics Regional Competition from March 23-26, 2022.

TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!

The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Monterey Bay Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 20-23, 2022.

Regional Chairman’s

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.

• Team 1671, Buchanan Bird Brains from Clovis, CA

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 4135, Iron Patriots from Modesto, CA

Regional Winners

• Team 1323, MadTown Robotics from Madera, CA
• Team 5940, BREAD from Redwood City, CA

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.

• Alison Soong from Team 1868
• Alden Sherrill from Team 7413

Woodie Flowers

• Susan Cheng from Team 1868

Additional Awards

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

Support

An immense THANK YOU to all the sponsors, mentors and volunteers who contributed to this very successful Regional.

We hope you too had a memorable experience at the Monterey Bay Regional!