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Tribe Robotics

Inspiring students to explore, experience and appreciate science, technology, engineering and math through robotics.

Team members participate in decision-making, design and fabrication in a setting that promotes teamwork and provides opportunities to develop leadership skills.

Tribe Robotics FRC 4123 brings together professional mentors with passionate students on a mission is to explore, experience and appreciate science, technology, engineering, math and design through hands-on participation in FIRST® Robotics Competitions (FRC).  Our motto, “student built, mentor approved”  is exactly how our team operates: It is up to the students to design and build the robot. Our mentors are there to oversee and provide guidance.

We view robotics as a varsity “sport of the mind.” Donald E. Bossi, FIRST® President, described robotics as a sport for the 21st century saying, “The skills students can learn, including teamwork, collaboration and problem solving, are the same as those learned in other sports but unlike most sports, robotics provides all students – no matter their background or physical ability – the opportunity to become a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professional.”

Robotics competitions combine the thrill of a sport with the preciseness of science, math and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources and a six-week time limit, the team is challenged to raise funds, perfect teamwork skills and build and program a robot to perform stipulated tasks during competition. 

Team members receive hands-on experience in areas of mechanical engineering, CAD design, programming, electrical engineering, project management, leadership and strategic thinking skills as well as the business side of running a team: fundraising, inventory control, public relations and finance. Team members will:

  1. Work alongside professional mentors
  2. Build and compete with a robot of our own design
  3. Learn and use sophisticated hardware and software
  4. Develop design, project management, programming, team work, leadership and strategic thinking skills

Students who engage in FIRST® programs are three times more likely to show interest in STEM careers, and 89.6 of those who have competed with FIRST® are currently in a STEM field as a student or professional.  

Former team members of Tribe Robotics currently attend the Naval Academy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of San Diego (USD), Gonzaga, University of Southern California (USC), UC Irvine, CSU Long Beach and more of the top colleges and universities in the country. 

Student Built, Mentor Approved

Sponsors

Kelly Spicers
FW Carlton Forge Works, a PPC Company
SoCal Gas Company
The Granillo Family
The Salcedo Family
Can Lines Engineering
Kiwanis International
Boeing
St. John Bosco High School
Saint Joseph High School

Head Coach

Walter Wippler

Walter Wippler

Class of 1983
Titles: Science Department Lead, Director of Engineering Pathway, Tribe Robotics Team 4123 Mentor
Email:
Phone Numbers:
School: (562) 920-1734 ext. 276