The robotics engineering pathway program at Fountain Valley High School recently played host to the SoCal First Tech Challenge, a premier robotics competition that drew participants from across Orange and Los Angeles counties.
Held in the school’s gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 24, the event showcased the talents of middle and high school students in contests of innovation, engineering and teamwork. OCDE’s Media Services team captured highlights and interviewed some of the key players for the video above.
We’re told Fountain Valley High was the only public school in Orange County to host a SoCal FTC, which determined which teams advanced to a state-level competition. It was only fitting then that FVHS Robotics Team 24433, known as the Inkineers, clinched first place and a bid to the state championship. Team captain Aaron Nguyen earned individual honors, making the Dean’s List.
Leaving it on the field
Adding to their accolades, Fountain Valley High’s robotics team also recently celebrated another impressive victory during a competition held at SoFi Stadium.
There, they engineered a football player robot for the “STEM on the Sidelines” competition, presented by the Los Angeles Chargers in partnership with Ducommun and the UCI Samueli School of Engineering. Their design won them the experience of getting on the field and watching the game from a suite.
The Los Angeles Chargers are said to be planning a visit and pep rally at FVHS to celebrate the team’s success.
SoCal First Tech Challenge is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering technical and interpersonal skills among students through FIRST robot competitions. FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” The initiative serves as a platform for the SoCal FTC area teams, propelling young innovators in science and technology.