Programs
“Spark City” City-Wide FIRST Robotics Team
Grades 9 — 12
FIRST Robotics combines the thrill of sports with the rigor of science and technology, creating an unparalleled experience for high school students. We proudly call the FIRST Robotics Competition “The Ultimate Sport for the Mind,” while participants affectionately refer to it as “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Within the constraints of strict rules, limited resources, and an intense six-week time frame, student teams rise to the challenge of raising funds, designing a unique team brand, honing their teamwork skills, and building and programming industrial-size robots. These robots then compete in a complex field game against other determined teams, providing a hands-on experience that closely mirrors real-world engineering. Guided by dedicated volunteer professional mentors who generously share their expertise, each team navigates the intricate process from concept to competition. The culmination of their hard work and ingenuity is celebrated at the exhilarating FIRST Championship, where students showcase their creations and achievements.
FIRST Lego League Challenge
Grades 4 — 12
FIRST® LEGO® League is the most accessible, guided, global robotics competition, helping students and teachers to build a better future together. Throughout the program, these young learners tackle real-world problems, honing their skills in design and coding. Each team embarks on a journey of creativity and innovation, developing unique solutions to the challenges they encounter. By fostering collaboration and critical thinking, we aim to inspire a lifelong passion for engineering and problem-solving in these budding engineers.
Esports & Cybersecurity
We’ve created state-approved curricula that fosters social-emotional learning and integrates STEM and esports in middle schools, high schools, and community-based organizations. These programs are certified to meet California English Language Arts, Career and Technical Education and Social Emotional Learning standards. We also provide healthy gaming & tailored esports education plans from our global learning community of NASEF Scholastic Fellows.
VEX Robotics
Central High School Only | Grades 9 — 12
VEX Robotics is educational robotics for everyone. VEX solutions span all levels of both formal and informal education with accessible, scalable, and affordable solutions. Beyond science and engineering principles, VEX encourages creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving among groups. It allows educators of all types to engage and inspire the STEM problem solvers of tomorrow!
National Society of Black Engineers
Grades 4 — 12
ACCESS NSBE Jr. Chapter is affiliated with the National Society of Black Engineer’s effort to promote college, academics, technology and leadership to pre-college students. The primary goal is to encourage students in grades K–12 to develop interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Additionally, we participated and travel to NSBE’s Regional and National Conferences we our students have the opportunity to compete in STEM competitions and meet and network with other NSBE Jr. students, NSBE Collegiate and Professionals from around the world. To learn more about NSBE visit www.nsbe.org
