SynthesisFIRST Tech Challenge Team #13219, Santa Clara, California
We're eleven high school students splitting the work across hardware, software, and outreach.
This year we're building a robot for BIOBUZZ, the 2026–27 FIRST Tech Challenge game.
We won the Reach Award in our first season, and this year we're aiming for the Northern California Championship.
Find your way around
Learn who we are, what we're building this season, and how your company or school can work with us.
About Team Synthesis
Synthesis is a FIRST Tech Challenge team of eleven high school students in Santa Clara, California.
We formed through the 49ers STEM Leadership Institute, and this is our second season.
We work in three subteams. Hardware designs and builds the robot, software programs it, and outreach runs our community events and fundraising.
Our first season
We held our first meeting in September 2025 and won the Reach Award three months later.
First meeting as Team Synthesis
Restaurant fundraisers to pay for parts
The Play Space #7 Qualifying Tournament, San Jose
Reach AwardCompeted at our second qualifying tournament
Robotics booth at Haman Elementary's Science Night
The 2026–27 FIRST Tech Challenge game, presented by RTX.
FIRST revealed BIOBUZZ on September 12, 2026.
Our hardware subteam started the season by cataloging every part we own, so we know what we have and what we still need to buy or make.
This season we want to
- Design and build our own robot parts
- Qualify for the Northern California FTC Championship
- Run free STEM events for kids around the South Bay
The 2026–27 team
We asked each of our eleven members what tip they would put on a video game loading screen.
Software
Programs the robot, from autonomous routines to driver control.
- Avika S.Team captainMake it to tomorrow.
- Audrey K.Don't overlook the mundane in life.
- Ruchi G.Just keep swimming!
- Connor T.If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.
Hardware
Designs, builds, and repairs the robot itself.
- Giang H.Ever tried eating a clock? I'd rather not consume my time.
- Advika P.Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
- Ishika G.Running faster than anyone else can help you win a race.
Outreach
Runs community events, fundraising, and sponsor outreach.
- Jayne C.Where is Gamora? Who is Gamora? Why is Gamora?
- Rishi N.A shortcut can never produce the view the main road can.
- Evaline B.The man with the beard in his pocket is not the same as the man clean shaven.
- Lucas C.Eating ice is the same as drinking water.
Outreach in the South Bay
We bring our robot to schools and community events so kids can see it up close and ask us how it works.
Past and upcoming events
Haman Elementary Science Night
Our first outreach booth, thanks to the Haman PTA.
Libraries and community centers
Workshops we're setting up around the South Bay.
Your school or group
Free robotics sessions for kids. Email us to set one up.
Help us build this season's robot.
Sponsorship pays for the parts and materials that go into our robot.
Ways to help
Partner with us monthly
Pick an amount that works for your company. It goes straight to parts and materials.
Buy a part directly
Want to fund something specific? We'll tell you the exact part or spool we need.
Come to a fundraiser
We host restaurant nights during the season. Follow us on Instagram to hear about the next one.
Partners get their logo on our robot and team shirts, plus credit at our community workshops.