FREMONT, Calif. /California Newswire/ — TeamF1, Inc., a leader in embedded networking and security software solutions for wired and wireless applications, and a Fremont business for more than a decade, continues its tradition of community involvement this year by supporting activities benefiting local youth at American High School.
The company's local outreach initiative, which it calls "F1rstHand," invests in activities that lend a hand to deserving causes in the community.
Several months ago, when a group of students in Fremont's American High School (AHS) with a passion for robotics was being held back by school cuts to the program, TeamF1 stepped in by sponsoring the robotics team as they geared up for the season's round of robotics competitions.
The robotics team, led by a dedicated teacher, needing nothing more than encouragement and basic resources, went on to win several trophies on a shoestring budget – a first for the school in robotics events.
"It's gratifying to see the how the successes of the pioneering batch of students in American High's robotics team rapidly grew the interest of students in engineering programs in the school," said Larry Millard, American High School Engineering teacher and mentor and advisor to the robotics team. "Not only are the students learning core engineering principles in the real world through programs like these, they are experiencing first-hand the importance of collaborating with their peers. TeamF1's help in keeping this program going at a time it was needed most highlights how local companies can be good citizens of the community they are part of."
Just a year into American High's addition of engineering as an elective course for Grades 9-12 through the non-profit organization Project Lead the Way's Pathway to Engineering Program, six like-minded friends founded AHS' robotics club. The group has more than doubled its size and in fact has had to divide itself into two competing teams, both of which spend after-school hours perfecting their robots in preparation for competitions around the bay area.
"When it comes to giving back, causes involving our local community and youth are high up on our list – and in this case, as an embedded software company, what better cause than to enable the growth of tomorrow's embedded engineers right in our very own backyard," said Mukesh Lulla, president, TeamF1, Inc.
Rica Ortiz, Business Operations Manager for TeamF1 and the person spearheading the initiative for the company, added: "It is important for us not only to foster and instill a passion for science and technology but to be present as a neighbor, committed to giving back to our community. We are very happy to have been of help to Mr. Millard and the team and very proud of all they have achieved in their first year."
American High's robotics team received accolades in several rounds of FIRST Robotics' FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and have participated in the Alameda County Engineering and Science Fair, Robofest and most recently in the 2013 Maker Faire. More information about American High as well as PLTW and its programs can be found on their websites at http://www.fremont.k12.ca.us/american and http://www.pltw.org/ .
About TeamF1, Inc.:
TeamF1, a privately held corporation headquartered in Fremont, Calif., is a leader in high performance embedded networking and security software. TeamF1's products enable secure networking of telecom/datacom and industrial equipment. For more information visit http://www.TeamF1.com/ or contact TeamF1 Public Relations at 510-505-9931.
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