Mar 31, 2011 - Claremont, Calif. -

Harvey Mudd College student mentors helped coach the robotics team, Team Sprocket, from Diamond Bar High School to a first-place finish at the Los Angeles Regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. The team is now qualified to compete in the national championship in St. Louis, Mo., April 27-30.

Team Sprocket built a five-foot, 120-pound original robot in six weeks with guidance from HMC mentors and Raytheon engineers, who helped teach the students the necessary technical skills. The team was given a common kit of parts--motors, batteries, a control system, a PC and a mix of automation components--and let their imaginations run from there.

The FIRST Robotics Competition combines the action of a major sporting event with mechanical engineering know-how for an annual competition that connects high school students with mentors and professionals to solve an engineering design problem. More than 2,000 teams competed in regional elimination competitions—all leading up to the championship.

“It is incredibly rewarding to watch the students grow throughout the season. They certainly grew in talent and knowledge, but more importantly they gained confidence in their own abilities to be engineers,” said Sarah Ferraro ’12, one of the 10 HMC student mentors.

The other HMC mentors, many of whom had been on a FIRST team while in high school, were: Katy Anderson '14, James Best '14, Johnathan Chai '13, Michelle DeRienzo '13, Alistair Dobke '14, Rai Feren '13, Max Korbel '13, Drew Macrae '11 and Ayyappa Vemulkar '13.

HMC FIRST Scholarship
Harvey Mudd College offers one $10,000 scholarship to a student who has participated in a FIRST Robotics Competition in high school. High school seniors applying to Harvey Mudd College for their first-year may apply for the scholarship. For more details, click here.

About FIRST
Currently in its 20th Season, the FIRST Robotics Competition works to spark young people’s interest and participation in science and technology by engaging them in programs that inspire innovation and foster self-confidence, communication and leadership.

Learn more about the FIRST Robotics Competition


Team Sprocket, including HMC mentors. Back row, first three on left: James Best '14, Sarah Ferraro '12, Alistair Dobke '14. Front row, second from left: Johnathan Chai '13.