On Sept. 21, Robotics Team 696, the Circuit Breakers from Clark Magnet High School, took a trip to the Bay Area for an off-season robotics event – Chezy Champs.

In a competition filled with 31 teams, Team 696 made it into the quarterfinals, and it also won the Judges Award. Aside from competition, the Circuit Breakers toured the Autodesk facility on Pier 9 and experienced a 3D printing workshop. Carl Bass, the CEO of Autodesk, also visited the students during the 3D printing workshop.

The team saw this trip to the Bay Area as an opportunity to visit the Golden Gate Bridge and the Computer History Museum. Before returning to Los Angeles, the team got a tour of the NASA Ames Research Center. Not only did the students learn about manufacturing and the different kinds of machines that are being used there, but they also had the opportunity to go inside the second largest wind tunnel in the world and learn about the work that goes into testing an item inside the tunnel.

Mika Stanghill, president of Team 696, said, “This trip was better than what I ever expected it to be. The new students met the old students and right from the start they created this bond that won’t ever be broken, even after robotics.”

Mikia Zohrabian, a new student on Team 696 said, “The trip was both a great bonding experience and a great educational experience. The competition and tours were exceptional opportunities for learning and building companionship.”

The team is excited for upcoming events in which to participate like the Montrose Christmas Parade.

Team 696, the FIRST robotics team at Clark Magnet High School, involves hard-working and enthusiastic students who are devoted to creating robots for the purpose of spreading awareness of science and technology based education and competes in FIRST Robotics competitions.

FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, inspires young people to become leaders in science and technology through annual Robotics competitions that utilize science, technology, and engineering skills.