FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 19, 2023

San Leandro High School Robotics Team Takes First Place in

2023 Pioneers in Engineering Robotics Competition

SAN LEANDRO, CA - In a display of technical prowess and dedication, the San Leandro High School team took first place at the 2023 Pioneers in Engineering (PiE) robotics competition, held at the Hearst Mining Memorial Building on the UC Berkeley campus this past Saturday. This competition brought together 14 local Bay Area schools to showcase their engineering and programming skills.

The competition featured a "Carnival Celebration" theme, where student-created robots had to complete pre-programmed tasks during a three-minute match, including placing objects in a bucket and navigating autonomously. Student-operated robots then played carnival games to earn tickets, with the winner determined by total tickets at the end of each match.

This victory was the culmination of hard work for the winning team, including the following students:

• Jocelyn Avalos and Rafael Zapien, Mechanical Team Leads

• Angel Khehra, Logistics Lead 

• Selmir Dizdarevic, Mechanical Team

• Mateo Torres-Cohen, Programming Lead and Club President 

Together, they formed a highly organized leadership structure to accomplish extensive work in a relatively short time frame efficiently.

The following adults also supported the team:

• Martín Martinez, programming mentor and SLHS alumni

• Daniel Gomez, mechanical mentor and SLHS alumni

• Quanina Quan, SLHS Chemistry teacher and STREAM academy director

The team's motivation to participate in PiE competitions stemmed from their desire to honor the memory of their mentor, Eduardo Nava. Mr. Nava was a dedicated teacher and advocate for STEM education at San Leandro High School. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly before last year's final competition. Despite this, the students united and worked tirelessly to complete the robot in his honor. Mr. Nava's legacy continues to inspire their educational, professional, and leadership pursuits.

Pioneers in Engineering (PiE) played a significant role in making this competition possible. A UC Berkeley-run non-profit, PiE provides an accessible platform for San Leandro High School and other Bay Area schools to engage in robotics competitions that foster technical skills in STEM pathways. Over the course of two PiE competitions, the team expanded their knowledge in programming, engineering, and leadership skills.

The team believes promoting opportunities like their club throughout San Leandro and the East Bay is vital for creating an inclusive educational environment. By demonstrating that students from all backgrounds can participate and excel in STEM activities, they aim to inspire others to pursue their passions in STEM and contribute to a more diverse and equitable future.

For more information about San Leandro Unified, please visit www.slusd.us.