Announcing Highlander Robotics Team 8033’s SPARK fundraiser! Come warm up with us on Friday, January 26, 7-9pm at a lovely central Piedmont home. Enjoy a talk by a local tech luminary that is sure to spark conversation while you enjoy delicious wine and food. This event directly supports Piedmont’s Highlander Robotics Team 8033, a program designed to empower youths to be leaders in STEM. Tickets are limited and can be purchased here or our website www.frc8033.com 

We are thrilled to feature Bryan Cantrill giving his talk Intelligence Is Not Enough about AI and ethics, a timely topic for parents of kids interested in STEM. Cantrill is a software engineer who has spent over a quarter of a century at the hardware/software interface. He is the co-founder and CTO of Oxide Computer Company, the creator of the world’s first commercial cloud computer.  Formerly CTO of Joyent and Distinguished Engineer of Sun Microsystems, Cantrill is a sought after speaker in the tech industry for his ability to colorfully connect strong values to current best practice. As scoutmaster of Piedmont’s Troop 1, he is also committed to leadership formation of our youth.

8033 is the capstone robotics program for the largest community-based FIRST league in the country organized by Piedmont Makers. We partner with Piedmont Unified to have our homebase in the Mary G. Ross engineering lab at Piedmont High.  We are the only competitive community-based FRC team in a 25-mile radius and we now have team members from 15 high schools who otherwise would not be able to participate in FRC. Beyond access to the robust network of Bay Area FIRST FRC teams, we provide hands-on experience with our lab equipment and technology; engagement with expert mentors and speakers from STEM companies; and opportunities for field trips to top companies.  

Because we are a community-based team, we do not receive any funding from a school, meaning that we have to raise our budget ourselves. Our goal is to cover half of our $80K annual budget from contributions from our community and from corporate donations. We hope you will join us for SPARK and help us ensure this valuable program thrives for current and future young people interested in STEM!

Wines have been graciously donated by Wente wines. 

Questions? Contact Larraine at lms@larraineseiden.com or Natalia natferretti@gmail.com