Mechanical Mariners Robotics Team

We are the Mechanical Mariners, a 5th grade Robotics team from John S. Malcolm Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, CA.

We are so stoked for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) that a record 24 kids signed up this year to further the winning legacy that our awesome 5th grade teacher started 3 years ago.

Our teacher says she is preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrows Jobs but we are just excited to learn, more!

Together with the support of some amazing coaches, she has guided us on an incredible journey that has exceeded our imaginations, far beyond that first day when she warned us how much hard work was involved.

We are participating in the 2016 VEX Robotics Competition, the largest elementary, middle and high school robotics program in the world! Trust us, it’s serious!

This program involves research projects and robotics. To be honest, most of us joined up because of the robotics, however the research projects have been amazing and it’s a toss-up as to where we are learning more.

We are a larger group than most and that means we had to divide into two teams. One of our projects is based on nano-technology and the other is based on regenerative tissue growth. If that wasn’t enough we had to build and program a number of robots.
It’s been an exciting year and we have had our share of ups and downs, however our teacher has also taught us the power of refining and evolving our projects and robot designs.

Here is where we are at: (both teams combined)
• San Diego Regional event
         1st place Teamwork Award (robotics)
         1st place Regenerative Tissue research project
• South Orange County League evet
         1st place: Nanobot research project
         4th place: Teamwork Challenge
         7th place: Teamwork Challenge
• California State 2016 Championship event (3/12/16)
         1st place: Regenerative Tissue research project
         1st place, Teamwork Award
          Sportsmanship Award
          3rd place, Skills Challenge
          3rd place, Programming Challeng

We‘re overjoyed with our overall success so far, however we are nervous about our upcoming final competition. Our teacher keeps reminding us: “they are the best in the world!”.

We still can’t believe that our State Championship win means we are now going to the 2016 VEX Robotics World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky to represent the best of California, U.S.A elementary schools against 29 other countries!
We need your help

Competing in a worldwide competition is very exciting but will require extensive resources. We are contacting local businesses to inquire about possible donations to help make this trip a reality for all of 24 kids and several coaches/teachers. Your help will assist our team to achieve their goal of bringing home another WIN from Kentucky. We will need your donation or commitment to donate by April 8, 2016.

Please contact Nona Reimer -- [email redacted] for further information about the program.

Thank you so much for your consideration and support for the success of our future scientists and engineers.

Tax-deductible contributions can also be made to:
John Malcom Elementary School PTA
Attn: Mechanical Mariners
32261 Charles Road, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677