In Calexico, California, a dedicated group of high school students is breaking new ground in STEM education through hands-on robotics. Their journey to the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) in San Diego is not only a testament to teamwork and ingenuity but also a showcase of how strategic partnerships with industry leaders like MatterHackers can transform learning, motivation, and real-world skills.

The Challenge: Inspiring and Equipping Future Innovators

Each year, the FRC presents teams with a new engineering challenge and a standardized kit of parts, pushing students to design, build, and program a robot capable of completing complex tasks. For the Calexico team, the stakes were high: they needed to innovate rapidly, adapt to unforeseen challenges, and compete at a regional level with limited resources.

While the students had access to traditional manufacturing tools like CNC mills, drill presses, and saws, they lacked the ability to quickly prototype and iterate on custom parts—an essential advantage in the fast-paced environment of FRC.

The Solution: Partnering with MatterHackers

Recognizing the need for advanced rapid prototyping, the Calexico robotics team turned to MatterHackers, a leader in 3D printing solutions for education. MatterHackers provided the team with four Bambu 3D printers, expert guidance, and ongoing support to ensure the students could fully leverage this technology.

Key Contributions from MatterHackers:

  • Hardware Support: Supplying four Bambu 3D printers equipped for high-speed, high-strength printing—including carbon fiber filaments for durable, competition-ready parts.
  • Training & Technical Guidance: Offering workshops and resources to teach students and mentors how to design for 3D printing, optimize print settings, and troubleshoot issues in the lab and at the event.
  • On-Demand Support: Providing access to MatterHackers’ technical team for advice and troubleshooting throughout the build season and competition.

Implementation: 3D Printing in Action

With MatterHackers’ support, the Calexico team integrated 3D printing into every stage of their design and build process:

  • Rapid Prototyping: Students could quickly print and test custom components—what once took four to five hours with older printers now took just ninety minutes with the new Bambu machines.
  • Iterative Design: The ability to print multiple design iterations in a single day enabled the team to refine their robot’s mechanisms, improving performance and reliability.
  • On-the-Fly Repairs: During the competition, the pit crew used 3D printers to fabricate replacement parts and make last-minute modifications, keeping the robot in top shape.

Coach Jesus Huerta noted, “3D printing has had a lot of benefits last year and this year, but more this year because now they have more of the Bambu printers. The students are learning skills and using tools they would never have been exposed to otherwise.”

Outcomes: Impact on Students and Competition Results

The results were transformative—not just in terms of competition performance, but in student engagement and learning:

  • Enhanced Motivation: Students who previously lacked direction found new enthusiasm for STEM, inspired by the real-world applications of technology.
  • Skill Development: The team gained hands-on experience with CAD design, 3D printing, troubleshooting, and teamwork—skills directly transferable to future careers.
  • Community and Collaboration: The supportive FRC environment, combined with MatterHackers’ mentorship, fostered a spirit of collaboration both within the team and with other schools.

First-year participant Elisa Gomez summed up the experience: “It’s my first year, so everything’s super new. I’m really happy seeing the rankings, knowing that I put so much heart and hard work into the robot. Even though we’ve had some challenges, we’ve gotten over them with teamwork and help from other teams.”

Lessons Learned and Next Steps

The Calexico robotics team’s success demonstrates how access to modern tools can unlock student potential and transform educational outcomes. By partnering with MatterHackers, the team not only competed at a high level but also ignited a passion for STEM that will last a lifetime.

Moving forward, the school plans to expand its use of 3D printing across more classrooms, integrating it into science, engineering, and technology curricula—and continuing its partnership with MatterHackers to ensure students remain on the cutting edge.

Bringing 3D Printing to Your School

The Calexico case study shows that with the right tools, guidance, and support, any school can empower students to become innovators and problem-solvers. MatterHackers is committed to making this a reality for educators everywhere.

Interested in bringing 3D printing and advanced STEM tools to your classroom? Contact MatterHackers today to learn how we can help you inspire the next generation of engineers, makers, and leaders.

Ready to start your school’s 3D printing journey? Reach out to MatterHackers for expert advice, resources, and partnership opportunities.