Who Are We?

Team 1868

The Space Cookies are a student-led team of girls from high schools across the Bay Area working in partnership with NASA Ames Research Center and the Girl Scouts of Northern California. All high school girls, freshman through seniors, are encouraged to join the team. Members participate in hands-on engineering, mechanical design, fabrication, electronics, programming, team leadership, marketing, graphic design, community outreach, and most importantly - FUN!

Team History

In 2006, NASA Ames Research Center partnered with the Girl Scouts of Northern California to create FIRST Team 1868, the Space Cookies. In our first year, we earned the highest rookie seed award at the Silicon Valley Regional which qualified us to go to the International Championships.

2007 was the team's second year in FIRST robotics. Many lessons were learned as the team worked its way through another season. Most of the girls involved grew from knowing nothing about robotics, to become experience engineers. The team was also involved in many promotional events to spread the word about an all-girls robotics team.

In the 2008 season the team continued to grow by forging bonds. We also learned how to plan ahead and communicate with a large group of people successfully.

In 2009, we grew into a more experienced team, with specific roles assigned we became more efficient. We won the Engineering Inspiration Award and were finalists at the Silicon Valley Regional, quarter-finalists at the Sacramento Regional and were quarter-finalists in our division at the Championship in Atlanta, GA. In addition, during the fall of 2009, we attended CAL Games, an off-season FIRST competition. Our robot made it to semi-finals.

As a 5th-year team in 2010, Team 1868 emerged as an efficient and determined group of leaders. Fueled by our successes in 2009, we put immense commitment, energy and teamwork to make our season successful. We were in the quarter finals at San Diego Regional and finalists at the Silicon Valley Regional. In Nationals we were 7th alliance captains and made it to quarter finals.

2011 has been amazing beyond our dreams. Fueled by an enormous increase in team size, as well as the most experienced captains and veteran members we have ever had, the Space Cookies were Champions and won Engineering Inspiration at the Sacramento Regional. We wrapped up our regular season with yet another red Finalist award at Silicon Valley, as well as the enormous honor of the Regional Chairman's Award. Special congratulations are in order for our electronics and programming captain, Christina, who was accepted to MIT and won Dean's List Finalist in the same fortnight.

Team alumnae are currently attending many prestigious schools, including MIT, Harvey Mudd College, Wellesley College, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Marquette, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Santa Clara University.