by Rebecca Berggren | Apr 6, 2024 | Blog, Silicon Valley
From March 1st to 3rd, 2024, the excitement was palpable at the Silicon Valley Regional, which debuted at its new location, the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The event attracted a competitive gathering of 42 teams from across California, Nevada, Hawaii, Idaho, and Mexico. For mentor networking and appreciation, a special lunch was provided for mentors got to mingle, enjoy a meal, and participate in a Q&A session with Lonny Weissman, FIRST Senior Mentor, and Luan Heimlich, Regional Director. Additionally, the event celebrated Women in STEM with a cozy gathering where attendees enjoyed desserts and the chance to connect with fellow women in the field.
The competition itself did not disappoint, boasting a high level of challenge and excitement, especially impressive for a week 1 event. With Team 1678 on the winning alliance and also winning the Impact Award, this generated a Wildcard for Team 8048. And fun fact – Team 8048 mentor is the father of Team 1678 mentor! FIRST is definitely a family affair.
The event was also host to several VIPs, including those from Intuitive and Altair. We’d like to extend an immense THANK YOU to all the sponsors, mentors and volunteers who contributed to this very successful Regional.
LIST OF TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Silicon Valley Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 17-20, 2024.
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 combines COMPREHENSIVE local outreach with HUGE support to fellow FIRST teams. In their community, ONE IN FIVE of all students participate in their camps or youth leagues. These programs are more than SELF-SUSTAINING, allowing them to EXPAND to new underserved areas and fix up other team’s robots with a signature FLAVOR. Even when they are not competing, this team attends FRC events to provide tools, parts, and EXPERTISE to other teams. They also participate in Women in STEM events, co-host off-season competitions, and help other teams emulate their SUCCESSFUL SYLLABUS.
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.
This team’s outreach is multi-dimensional and INSPIRING. Besides mentoring many FLL and FTC teams, hosting qualifiers, and having an ongoing academy for elementary students. Helping teachers, a new path, raising money and building a MOBILE LAB to help teachers gain experience and confidence with STEM tools and curriculum. Developing and raising money for a FTC hackathon for the islands, their INSPIRING WORK became caused an ERUPTION of eight FTC teams.
Regional Winners
- Team 581, Blazing Bulldogs from San Jose, CA
- Team 1678, Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
- Team 8048, Team HH Churrobots from East Palo Alto, 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.
- Miriam M from Team 1671, The Jankster
- Corrine G from Team 1351, TKO
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.
- Shelby Anderson from Team 581, The Blazing Bulldogs
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Silion Valley Regional! See the list here.
by Rebecca Berggren | Apr 15, 2023 | Blog, Silicon Valley
From April 5-8, 2023, this year’s Silicon Valley Regional welcomed 59 teams from 5 countries to compete in a fantastic Sport for the Mind event. There were 56 veterans and 3 rookie teams in attendance. It was great to have speakers from PG&E and the KLA Foundation.
Highlights from the event included trivia, Gracious Professionalism pins as well as world class robots playing the Charged Up sponsored by Haas robot game.
The Volunteer of the Year was Cameron Tacklind, and the Woodie Flowers Finalist Awardee was Marta Carrillo from Team 1967 in San Jose CA.
Event winners were Team 254 from San Jose CA, Team 1678 from Davis CA, Team 100 from Woodside CA, and Team 2489 from San Jose CA. The FIRST Impact Award was given to Team 5985 from Wollongong Australia.
We’d like to extend an immense THANK YOU to all the sponsors, mentors and volunteers who contributed to this very successful Regional.
LIST OF TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Silicon Valley 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’s impact will leave you in TEARS,
With all those they have helped across the YEARS.
Their documentation was quite extensive and showed the breadth of their REACH,
In three years, twenty-three hundred students they did TEACH.
Taking Lego robotics to a new HEIGHT,
They turned it into therapy, vocational training, and a shining LIGHT.
Saving a FRC regional with funding and SPACE,
This team is many-a-student’s home and safe PLACE.
To create opportunities and transform communities, this team does STRIVE,
Please join us and congratulate team five-nine-eight-FIVE!
- Team 5985 – Project Bucephalus from Wollongong, Australia
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.
This team boasts a robust internal training and mentorship program, ensuring that new members quickly find their “sea legs”.
They advocate for STEM education in their local community, securing national funding, and empowering other teams to join them.
Their “fluid” approach to Outreach “washes” over language barriers by teaching conversation skills. And by joining forces with international teams, they reach well beyond their shores.
Their commitment continues to make “waves” with medical partnerships.
“Go baby go”!
Regional Winners
- Team 254 – The Cheesy Poofs from San Jose, CA
- Team 1678 – Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
- Team 100 – Wildhats from Woodside, CA
Regional Finalist (wildcard)
- Team 9126 – Silver Hawks from Kaohsiung City, Chinese Taipei
- Team 2489 – The Insomniacs from San Jose, CA
- Team 604 – Quixilver from San Jose, 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 Lin from Team 1678, Citrus Circuits
- Ian Parker from Team 581, Blazing Bulldogs
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 challenges students to plan for the future through leadership development weekends, where students are at the forefront of envisioning technical goals. This mentor teaches young women to advocate for their ideas, from early whiteboard brainstorming sessions all the way to competition strategy. Working to inspire the broader FIRST community, this mentor hosts summer bootcamps to introduce others to robotics. Operating with an “above and beyond attitude” she has inspired generations!
Please join us in congratulating the 2023 Silicon Valley Regional Woodie Flowers FINALIST Award winner, Marta Carrillo, from Team 1967!
- Marta Carrillo from Team 1967, The Janksters
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Silion Valley Regional! See the list here.
by Rebecca Berggren | May 4, 2022 | Blog, Silicon Valley
Congratulations to the 59 Teams PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the Silicon Valley FIRST Robotics Regional Competition from April 7-10, 2022.
TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Silicon Valley 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 4159, CardinalBotics from San Francisco, 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.
Regional Winners
- Team 254, The Cheesy Poofs from San Jose, CA
- Team 1678, Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
- Team 7419, QLS Tech Support from Dublin, CA (wildcard)
Regional Finalists
- Team 971, Spartan Robotics from Mountain View, CA (wildcard)
Rookie All-Star
- Team 8793, Pumpkin Bots from Half Moon Bay, CA (wildcard)
Dean’s List Finalists
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.
- Alex Ware from Team 8033
- Joyce Yang from Team 1967
Woodie Flowers Finalist
- Dean Mulla from Team 1967
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Silicon Valley 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 Silicon Valley Regional!
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 4, 2019 | Blog, Silicon Valley
Congratulations to the 59 Teams from California, Minnesota, Turkey and China PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the Silicon Valley FIRST Robotics Regional from March 28-31, 2019!
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Silicon Valley Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston in April.
Regional Chairman’s Award
Team 2220, Blue Twilight from Eagan, Minnesota
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 …
“This team truly inspires
By connecting all the WIRES
Changing the world order
This robot team with no border
From establishing a beachhead
On the old farmstead
To making innovations
Even at the United Nations
Inspiring beyond their quota
This team from Minnesota
The RCA Award of FIRST light
Goes to team Blue Twilight“
Engineering Inspiration
Team 649, M-SET Fish from Saratoga, 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.
What the judges had to say …
“This team’s sponsorship of FLL teams is a matter of pride, and their partnership with 4 award winning FTC teams shows a commitment to the FIRST mission. They lead a hands-on class at a community youth facility and workshops at their local library, impacting over 700 middle school students led by over 100 students affiliated with this team.
MMMM-agnificent communication skills demonstrated by students describing how they spread their SPLASH to meet the FIRST mission and strong support from their school, like a MANTA from heaven, in the form of an identity-affirming lab, means there is no need to FISH for mechanical, science or engineering team resources.”
Regional Winners
Team 254, The Cheesy Poofs from San Jose, CA
Team 5499, The Bay Orangutans from Berkeley, CA
Team 6418, The Missfits from San Francisco, CA
Rookie All-Star Award
Team 7667, OtterBots from Napa, 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 …
“This rookie team built a machine with a BUCKET for their youthful enthusiasm. Their carnivorous robot took good care of its owners, who in turn made sure the bot was well-fed on its favorite foods – cargo balls, fish, and other invertebrates.
This young team contacted dozens of organizations before finding supporters to fund their team. They campaigned to be the most inclusive team they could be, obtaining waivers so middle school students in their community could join. This winning team and their robot “Dozer” have a good home in the back of an autoshop, nestled between the vineyards.”
Regional Finalists
(Advancing to Championships because of 2 Wild Cards)
Team 972, Iron Claw from Los Gatos, CA
Team 7308, Deep Vision from Los Altos, CA
Dean’s List Finalist
FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Kevin Wang from Team 199
FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Kaitlyn Kumar from Team 1967
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
Alvin Cheng from Team 1967, The Janksters.
See scanned 35mm photo below at the 1999 Silicon Valley Regional, where Alvin (on the right in Hawaiian shirt) participated as a student – he’s not aged a day in 20 years!
Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Silicon Valley Regional! See the list here.
Press
ABC 7 News
Link to full article and video 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 the Brin Wojcicki Foundation, the KLA Foundation, Qualcomm, Oracle, Bosch, Arm and Atlassian.
Thank you to Philip Roan from FIRST’s Strategic Partner Bosch for sharing their broad portfolio and how they support FIRST teams a
round the world.
The Silicon Valley community graciously thanks KLA for their generous support of teams and sponsorship of the Silicon Valley Regional.
Checkout the KLA video and speech by Jijen Vazhaeparambil, Senior VP and General Manager.
We hope you too had a memorable experience at the Silicon Valley Regional 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!
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 25, 2013 | Blog, Featured News, Silicon Valley
Congratulations to ALL Teams, Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the Silicon Valley Regional and helped to create an exciting and memorable weekend. cheap iphone xr case outlet iphone xs case outlet uk The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Regional and will be going on to compete at the Championships in St. Louis in April. We wish them the best of luck! Regional Chairman’s Award Team 604, Quixilver – San Jose, CA 
The Silicon Valley Chairman’s Award represents the true spirit of FIRST. Iphone 8 case 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. cheap iphone 8 case cheap iphone 7 case 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. iphone 8 case outlet uk cheap iphone xr case iphone xs case for sale Here’s what the Judges had to say –
“This year’s Regional Chairman’s award winner is “leading the way” by successfully bringing new high-level technology classes to its campus, as well as to other regional schools. iphone xr case outlet outlet iphone xs case iphone 7 case for sale Actively involved in multiple FIRST programs, over the past three years this team has put on numerous workshops, held qualify tournaments and mentored and supported over 20 teams for participants of all ages. iphone 7 case on sales iphone 8 case outlet uk In partnership with its sponsors, this team developed and deployed innovative and user-friendly classroom curriculum. iphone xr case for sale iphone xr case outlet cheap iphone 7 case online This year their internationalized versions of this material are being used in foreign language classes at their school and are in the process of being extended to the rest of the school district. Taking “international cooperation” to a new level, their impact extends to four countries and features long-term educational partnerships. outlet iphone xs case iphone xs case for sale cheap iphone 8 case Members of this committed team have invested months of their own time teaching STEM concepts and FIRST principles in remote villages and schools. This year, the team created dozens of exciting school and community presentations and member workshops. iphone xs case on sales For a recent project, the team borrowed specialized equipment from its sponsor to create a robot building day on campus where participants learned basic building and programming concepts. outlet iphone 8 case online Whether they are busy sending books to local schools or inspiring children in India and Tanzania, this team knows how to spread STEM excitement. In the final analysis, the enthusiasm, passion and professionalism displayed by this team’s presenters proved to the judges that this sterling group of young leaders belongs at the top of the pyramid. cheap iphone xs case outlet The Silicon Valley Regional Chaiman’s Award is awarded to Team 604, Quixilver.”
Engineering Inspiration Team 233, Team Pink – Rockledge/Cocoa Beach, FL 
The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community. iphone xs case outlet uk Iphone 8 case This team will advance to the Championships and receive a $5000 grant toward registration. cheap iphone 7 case outlet Here’s what the judges had to say –
“This team is a book with a striking cover, but don’t judge! The story inside is incredibly compelling. iphone xr case outlet This team shows incredible entrepreneurship, far-reaching mentorship and inspiring outreach. outlet iphone 7 case Their story speaks volumes at high volume! A team so inspirational that they will make you dance. iphone xr case for sale cheap iphone xr case outlet The Engineering Inpiration Award goes to Team 233, Team Pink!”
Regional Winners 
Team 254, Cheesy Poofs, San Jose,CA Team 118, Robonauts League City, TX Team 1967, Janksters San Jose, CA Rookie All-Star Award Team 4543, Apollo Robotics from San Jose, CA 
This award celebrates a 1st year team demonstrating an early but strong partnership effort, implementing the mission of FIRST. cheap iphone 8 case outlet Its winner understands what FIRST is really trying to accomplis
h and realizes that technical work is fun and challenging, made better by building a partnership among team, community and school. cheap iphone xs case outlet This is not an easy challenge for a rookie team but the judges want to recognize and reward one team that got it right. cheap iphone 8 case outlet Here’s what the judges had to say –
“Reaching out applies to more that extending robot arms up the pyramid. cheap iphone xs case outlet This team started from scratch, going far beyond their circumstances and experience to touch classmates, familes, community and other teams. cheap iphone 8 case outlet iphone 7 case outlet iphone 7 case outlet iphone 7 case outlet They propelled themselves and those around them, fielding a multi-funtional robot. cheap iphone xs case online iphone 8 case for sale Apollo is synonymous with inspiration and so is this team. iphone xr case for sale The Rookie All-Star Award goes to Team 4543, Apollo Robotics.”
Woodie Flowers Finalist Award Dr. iphone 7 case for sale John Best Mentor for Team 604 
A few years after helping Dean Kamen create FIRST, Dr. outlet iphone xs case online cheap iphone 7 case outlet William Murphy founded the Woodie Flowers Award with the intent to celebrate effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. At the FIRST Championship in St. Louis, the essays of this year’s finalists will be combined with previous finalists. One mentor will receive the Championship Woodie Flowers Award. Here’s what the judges had to say –
“One essay described a mentor who does it all. This mentor guides his students in mechanical, electrical and software design while still finding the time to mentor other teams in all aspects of an FRC team. cheap iphone xr case outlet iphone 7 case This mentor has a vision for the broader scope of FIRST and has remained involved in FLL while still serving as a key volunteer at regional events. He continues to mentor long after his son has graduated. iphone xs case on sales This mentor truly brings out the best in everyone. Please join us in congratulating the 2013 Silicon Valley Woodie Flowers Finalist Award winner from Team 604, Dr. John Best.”
Dean’s List Finalist: Honoring FIRST Student Superstars FIRST Dean’s List Finalist #1 – Tiffany Chen, Team 4765 – Los Altos Hills, CA FIRST Dean’s List Finalist #2 – Brian Silverman, Team 971 – Mountain View, CA 
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. iphone 8 case on sales 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. cheap iphone xs case online cheap iphone xr case online FIRST Dean’s List Finalists will compete at the championship for the FIRST Dean’s List. iphone xs case on sales iphone xs case for sale Additional Awards Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Silicon Valley Regional! See the list here. iphone xs case on sales cheap iphone xr case outlet iphone xs case outlet uk Share Your Stories! We hope you too had a profound experience at the Silicon Valley. cheap iphone xr case outlet We’d love to hear your stories. iphone 8 case on sales Please consider sharing them with us here in the comments below or on our facebook page.
