FIRST is dedicated to change the way the youth of America perceive science and technology, and all participating teams are
encouraged to instill an appreciation of the real-life rewards and career opportunities to others within their supportive
community. These are some areas where Monta Vista Robotics members have commit themselves to achieve such goals.
Mentoring Other Teams
Since 1999, our team has worked to start up teams throughout the neighborhood. That
year, we founded a FIRST LEGO League team at Kennedy Middle School. Over 2001 to
2004, we founded and mentored other high school robotics teams within and near our
district, creating teams at Homestead, Saratoga, Lynbrook, Harker, and Kehillah High
Schools. Each of these schools continues to have a successful robotics program, and we
have always lent our assistance to them since their inception. This year, we founded
and mentored a successful FIRST LEGO League team that qualified to the State
Tournament in its first year, and even won a programming award for its performance.
Shrenik Shah, its coach, was awarded the Outstanding Coach/Mentor Award at the State
Tournament where 64 teams competed. By sparking growth throughout our
community, we hope to spread the inspiration that has driven us for the past eleven years.
Tech Museum of Innovation
MVRT has built a strong partnership with the San Jose Tech Museum of Innovation.
Members demonstrate for museum visitors by showcasing the robot, exhibiting the process of
forming a team, and explaining the engineering aspects of building a robot. Our exhibit has
impressed and inspired many visitors and museum staff over the years.
Active Participation in the Robotics Community
As a participant of the Western Region Robotics Forum, we are committed to the promotion of the
FIRST ideals along the West Coast. MVRT participates in events held by local teams to keep the spirit
of robotics alive, including the WRRF/FIRST California Robotics Games.
thinkFIRST Campaign
Over the years we have made demonstrations at local elementary schools such as, Regnart and Lincoln.
During these demonstrations we give a short activity targeted for third through sixth graders. The thinkFIRST campaign is the accumulation of all these activities.
The goal of this campaign follows FIRST's goal of inspiring math and science. The campaign involves activties, such as the egg drop and newspaper rollercoasters, that demonstrate math and science concepts through experimentation and exploration. This campaign continues to grow and spread the message of FIRST, with our afterschool program at Lincoln Elementary School.
WRRF
We have worked closely with the Western Regional Robotics Forum (WRRF) over the years. Many of our students have worked directly with the group, including Rebecca Illowsky, who taught programming workshops two years ago, Patrick Wang, who joined its leadership group, and Eileen Laitinen, who taught an animation workshop. For two years, we have helped WRRF set up Cal games, by providing the awards and buttons for the competition. Cal games has also motivated our members to understand the spread the message of FIRST.
Community Outreach Achievements
2008 Mentor of: Cupertino Robotics, Mission San Jose Robotics, and St. Francis Robotics
2008 Lawson LEGO League led by Ryan Lee and Victor Shu
2007 thinkFIRST campaign begins
2007 Congressional Recognition
2006 Kennedy LEGO League led by Pavan and Brij Datta
2005 Kennedy LEGO League continued by Shrenik Shah
2004 Kennedy LEGO League led by Shrenik Shah
2003 Mentor of: Harker Upper School and Kehillah High
2002 Mentor of: Lynbrook high School Robotics Team
2000 Founded Kennedy Middle School's LEGO League
2000 Mentor of: Saratoga and homestead high School
1999 Awarded Mayor's Award of Community Excellence from the Cupertino Mayor, Wally Dean
