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Volunteering for a Beach Clean-Up at the Pacific Beach Coalition
Volunteering for a Beach Clean-Up at the Pacific Beach Coalition
On October 19, we had the opportunity to volunteer with the Pacific Beach Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation and coastal cleanups. From 9 AM to 11 AM, we worked alongside other volunteers to remove several types of harmful invasive weeds. The organizers shared valuable insights about these invasive species and the negative impact they have on local ecosystems. They also taught us the proper techniques for safely and effectively uprooting these plants, helping to preserve the environment and protect native species.
Mentoring and Guiding for an FLL Team
With two years of FLL and one year of FTC experience under our belt, we have gained valuable knowledge about the world of FIRST. On October 26, we visited a local FLL team to share what we’ve learned, including the strategies that helped us earn an Innovative Award and become a winning alliance captain. Last season, every FLL team we supported qualified for the next level of competition. To further support our community, we donated all of our FLL equipment, robots, and parts to local teams to help motivate and kickstart their journeys, just as the old FTC team, We Love Pi, did for us last season. In addition to technical guidance, we emphasized the importance of core values, not only within FLL but as essential life skills that extend far beyond robotics.
Library Event in Collaboration with FTC Team Wolverine
On November 16, we had the opportunity to visit the Castro Valley Library alongside our friends from FTC Team Wolverine to inspire and educate the community about the world of FIRST. Together, we set up four interactive stations in a dedicated room, attracting over 70 visitors to the library for our event. Through demonstrations of our robots, 3D printers, and software, we sparked excitement and curiosity among both youth and parents, encouraging many to consider starting their own FLL and FTC teams. Beyond raising awareness about the various FIRST leagues, this event also helped us strengthen our partnership with Team Wolverine, fostering a greater sense of collaboration and community.
Donating Food to Our Local Fire Station
Firefighters are some of the most important individuals in our community, constantly putting their lives on the line to protect others. So when one of our team members' parents informed us about an opportunity to donate food to a local fire station, we knew it was an experience we couldn’t pass up. On December 8, we visited the station to deliver the food, where we were met with sincere gratitude from the firefighters. They generously gave us a tour of their facility, explained their daily procedures, and answered all of our questions. We were truly grateful for the opportunity — not only to give back to those who serve and protect us but also to learn more about the vital role firefighters play in keeping our community safe.
Visiting the Johnson & Johnson Facility
One of our team members’ parents works at Johnson & Johnson and was kind enough to arrange a tour of their facilities for us. Our visit began at J&J's MedTech buildings, a division focused on developing innovative medical devices to address real-world healthcare challenges. We had the incredible opportunity to see cutting-edge technology, robots, and medical simulations up close, gaining insight into how J&J tackles complex medical problems with creative, technology-driven solutions. We also toured another facility where we explored various types of advanced printers, including a $50,000 3D printer, giving us a firsthand look at the high-end tools used in modern manufacturing and product development.
Mentoring Minds of Metal
After completing our first year of FTC, we gained a strong understanding of the challenges involved in developing autonomous code for a robot. So when the FTC team, Minds of Metal, reached out to us for help with the autonomous pathing library known as Pedro Pathing, we were ready to help. Along with guiding them through the use of the library, we also provided feedback and shared suggestions for potential improvements to their robot. It was a rewarding experience to give back to the FTC community and support a fellow team on their journey.
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