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News Releases » Seaside High School to Host 2023 FIRST® Robotics Competition Monterey Bay Regional 

Seaside High School to Host 2023 FIRST® Robotics Competition Monterey Bay Regional 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2023


Contact: 

Marci McFadden, Chief of Communications & Engagement

831-706-6971


Seaside High School to Host 2023 FIRST® Robotics Competition Monterey Bay Regional 


Seaside, CA - The 2023 FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) Monterey Bay Regional comes to Seaside High School, located at 2200 Noche Buena Street, for two days between March 31 - April 1, 2022. The Monterey Bay Regional is the fifth competition event of the season and the second return to an in-person FIRST® since the start of the global pandemic in 2020.


Two of Monterey Peninsula Unified School District’s high schools - Monterey High and Seaside High - will field teams in the competition. Monterey High’s team consists of 15 students ranging from freshmen to seniors and Seaside High’s team consists of 17 students, with 12 of them new to robotics. Schools from central and northern California will compete, 36 teams in all. 


Beginning in August 2022 through December 2022, students have competed in preseason, where they use built robots from the previous year to introduce ways of play, design and programming. It is a strong opportunity to engage in off-season events to build skill. In January 2023, the season began with new design parameters, and teams have been designing and building a robot to compete in the game.


“Our teams are currently designing and building their robots and testing them under authentic conditions,” said Robin Coyne, Teacher and Robotics Coach, Monterey High School. Leading the Monterey High program for 11 years, Coyne states, “Robotics extends beyond building robots. This program helps students develop leadership skills  and further prepare them for their future careers. The sport enhances collaboration, critical thinking, shared creativity, and the ability to go through a design process together to develop solutions. 


“Our team has been devoted and motivated to build their robot during their free time after school and on weekends,” says Teacher and Robotics Coach Michelle Chen, Seaside High School. “I’m very proud of how much they’ve learned in such a short time.”


Robotics also brings together the community. Parents and community members get involved as mentors and provide support in programming, fabrication and design. For example, Monterey and Seaside high schools have received support from the Naval Postgraduate School and professionals, such as Metal Specialties, in the area who want to support the students in this tech challenge.


Learn more about the Monterey Bay Regional at http://cafirst.org/frc/montereybay/.


Schedule

 

Thursday, March 30, 2023

  • 12 - 6:30 p.m. | Practice matches

 

Friday, March 31, 2023

  • 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. | Opening ceremonies
  • 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Qualification matches
  • 1:00 - 5:45 p.m. | Qualification matches
  • 5:45 - 6:15 p.m. | Awards ceremony

 

Saturday, April 1, 2023

  • 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. | Opening ceremonies
  • 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Qualification matches
  • 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Playoff matches and awards ceremony

 

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About Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

 

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is home to approximately 9,600 students in grades transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. The district also houses preschool and adult education. The district is built on a solid foundation of effective instruction, positive school culture, systems of support, and collaborative leadership. The district is nestled along the Monterey Bay, and stretches from the city of Marina to the north to the city of Monterey to the south, and includes the communities of Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Sand City and Seaside.