Robotics Club Returns

Dr. Faris Sabbah and his message from the Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools

Dear community member,

One of our priorities at the COE is expanding students’ access to exciting programs that can start a path into rewarding, high-demand careers.

That’s why over the past year I’ve been so excited to share about the Santa Cruz COE - X Academy Robotics Club, a partnership with nonprofit X Academy to provide an outstanding robotics and engineering program to any Santa Cruz County high school student who is interested – at no cost, and with chapters meeting in Watsonville and Santa Cruz.

As you might have heard, this partnership found remarkable success in its first year: More than 50 students participated, including students from every comprehensive high school in the county. And a team of students from the program went on to place 3rd in the MATE ROV World Championship last June, competing against dozens of other teams from around the world.

I am thrilled to share that the Robotics Club is gearing up for another year.

We’d love to bring this unique opportunity to even more students, regardless of their experience level. Students don’t need to know how to program or build robots to join. Part of the magic of this program is that it provides a platform for students at all experience levels to learn and build together.

If you know a high school student with an inkling of interest in engineering, 3D design, robotics, or programming – especially a student from a background underrepresented in these fields – please let them know about this opportunity, share a flyer, and encourage them to attend one of the upcoming open houses:

Watsonville Open House:
1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 7, at Sequoia High School, 229 Green Valley Rd, Freedom, CA 95019.
Register here
Santa Cruz Open House:
1-4 p.m. Sunday, September 8, at X Academy Maker Space, 229 Encinal St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Register here

Yours in education and equity,

Dr. Faris Sabbah

County Superintendent of Schools