Session Catalog
Join us for hands-on workshops, presented by teams for teams!
Sessions will not be recorded or livestreamed.
Hardware Track
Apply Physics to Make Better Hooks
Featuring a case study of the 2020 FRC game Infinite Recharge, this session explores the design of the climber hook and the physics principles behind hook geometry.
Intended for high school students involved in FRC, particularly those interested in mechanical design. Attendees should be familiar with Physics 1, including forces, friction, and free-body diagrams, as well as right-triangle trigonometry.
About the instructors: Jiayi has two years of experience designing mechanical systems for FRC robots during her sophomore and junior years. Mudit and Samyua have worked on producing Money Box educational videos exploring engineering principles behind design.
Creating a Thorough and Engaging Design Curriculum
"Designing a robot" can sound intimidating to rookie members. Learn how to 'design' a Design curriculum that carefully breaks down core robot concepts, while keeping members interested and ready to learn. We'll have simple engagement activities that replicate what we do with our design members.
Intended for FRC students aiming to expand their Design teams to more members of the team. FTC/FLL students may also benefit, but the content is specifically aimed at FRC. Bring something to take notes with.
About the instructors: Aarav and Aria are the leaders of the team's first ever multi-person design team, and have been improving over having only one person designing and CADding the robot
Incorporating 3D Printing Into FRC Robots
This session will cover the fundamentals of 3D printing from filament selection like PLA, PETG, and PA6 to design tolerances, infill density, humidity control, and support placements. We will bring the different filament types, sample custom 3D printed mechanical components like shooter hoods, and an interactive parts de-supporting activity.
Intended for high school students who are interested in incorporating 3D printing into design and mechanical aspects in FRC. Bring something to take notes with.
About the instructors: As mechanical directors on the team, Vibha and Sabrina gained hands-on experience designing, integrating, and troubleshooting 3D-printed components throughout the past season. They designed and implemented a variety of custom parts for their robot, gaining practical experience with filament selection, infill density, and support placement. They also learned how to address issues related to filament humidity and its impact on print quality. Through this process, they developed a strong understanding of how to apply and integrate 3D printing with mechanisms on FRC robots.
Printer Dissection
An in depth, hands-on workshop where you will get to learn how inkjet printers work by taking one apart yourself using a variety of hand tools. You will also get to learn about how the unique design choices in a printer can be applied to robotics. Attendees will also be able to take home any interesting mechanisms or electronics they find in the printers.
Intended for anyone interested in learning about unique mechanisms and industrial design choices. Bring something to take photos with.
About the instructors: Geary has been running this workshop for many years. Students participating have also done this for at least a few years.
Sensors, Electronics, and the CAN bus
Learn about various sensors and electronics, their uses, and how they work. Learn how to effectively diagnose issues on the CAN bus.
Intended for intermediate to advanced FRC students. A basic understanding of voltage, current, and electronics is recommended. Bring an open mind full of questions.
About the instructors: The instructors have done extensive CAN debugging on their robot over off-season. They worked with software and wrote code for all these sensors, so they know what each of them do and how they all work. They also did lots of motor testing with old motors and debugged many issues, sometimes with hardware (even got some of them working). Note that this is all work over off-season; they did lots of other work during build season to wire our robot, Xenothrix.
The Art of Poverty
We will provide strategies and methods for building a successful, competitive robot despite minimal resources and few facilities. We will discuss how our three teams (115, 604, and 9470) manage with low resources and find ways around these constraints while designing and building the robot.
Intended for high school students on FRC teams, especially those on teams with limited funding, space, tools, or mentors. Bring something to take notes with.
About the instructors: Each student from the 3 teams has dealt with these constraints firsthand across during build seasons and developed practical ways to work around them in design, building, and team organization. The presentation will be adapted from 604's "Scrappy, Not Crappy" presentation.
The Basics of Bumpers
We will be going over everything bumper related, from what they are, different ways to make them, and how to figure out what type of bumpers are right for your team. (Note: this is the same as the Bumpers 101 workshop that ran last year with slightly more detail and a different hands on portion). Hands on portion: Attendees will be taught how to repair bumpers and if we have the materials, how to make robust bumper corners. We will have attendees sewing and potentially using drills on plywood.
Intended for newer teams, teams that have struggled with bumpers historically, and/or anyone interested in different forms of bumpers. Bring something to take notes with if you want, and safety glasses.
Peyton has worked on bumpers for 4 years and was the bumper lead on team 1967 for 2 years. She has helped teams with bumpers during competition and has also made bumpers for 1967 and 114. She also did this presentation last year. Angelica has been working on bumpers for 3 years and has been a bumper lead for 2 years (this is her second year).
Software Track
From FIRST Student to Forward Deployed Engineer
I'll share my path from FRC in high school, where I worked on robot software, building, and the business side of the team, to studying CS and Data Science at UC Berkeley and working as a Forward Deployed Engineer at Snowflake. We'll cover how robotics gave me the leadership and drive to take an idea from concept to reality, how research and entrepreneurship at Berkeley (CS research, SCET) shaped my path, and what an FDE actually does: working directly with customers to turn technology into real solutions. I'll close with the skills that matter most in the workforce and how you can start building them on your team today.
Open to all students interested in future applications of their software skills or exploring future careers.
About the instructor: Manan worked on robot software, building, and the business side during his time on FRC 3501. After graduating, he went to study CS and Data Science at UC Berkeley, and now works as a Forward Deployed Engineer at Snowflake.
Game Piece Detection
Covers both a classical computer vision and machine learning approach to game piece detection, as well as calculations to perform actions based on game piece detections. Describes the implementation process for each approach and features a demo of our custom game piece detection software and dashboard.
Intended for high school students in FRC/FTC looking to implement or modify a game piece detection pipeline, or learn the factors to consider when choosing between different game piece detection approaches. No prior experience required.
About the instructors: Team 846 has implemented a custom classical vision pipeline in 2025, and trained/optimized an image detection model for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with both approaches used for autonomous actions such as intaking as well as mapping out game pieces on the field. In addition, Team 846 has created custom dashboards to tune our vision software, with options to adjust thresholds and view detections in real time. The 846 software team has contributed to numerous awards over the past year, including the Programming award at the Chezy Champs offseason competition.
Sim Before Bot: Getting Your Code Running When Mechanical Runs Late
What do you do when mechanical hands you the robot just days before competition? In this hands-on, one-hour workshop, you'll learn how to use simulation to finish most of your robot code before the robot exists. We'll turn real Onshape CAD into a robot you can control from code, build and test an intake in sim, and learn what sim can't tell you. Then you'll use a bring-up checklist to find hidden faults on a simulated "mystery robot." You'll leave with a starter project, the checklist, and a plan for your last week before competition. Attendees follow along with the code on their laptops for about half the session, using a starter project to program a robot intake in simulation. The session also includes a live demo that turns Onshape CAD into a robot controlled by code.
Intended for high school FRC students on the software subteam, as well as mentors, who want to get robot code done before the robot is finished. Attendees should know basic Java (variables, methods, classes, and if/switch statements) and have written or edited some WPILib robot code, such as a simple subsystem or button binding. No prior experience with simulation, AdvantageKit, or Onshape is required. Complete beginners may struggle to keep up during the code-along, and FTC students may find the concepts useful, but the code is specific to WPILib. Bring a laptop with WPILIB, NI Game Tools, and AdvantageScope installed.
About the instructors: Raymond, Ethan, and Yash have all been participating in FIRST Robotics for 3+ years and utilizing the simulation techniques we will be discussing to program robots year after year.
Business Track
Will be updated after volunteer registration closes
Attend
Registration
Registration Deadlines
Registration is required to reserve a spot and will close on the dates below. Capacity is limited and no walk-ins are accepted this year. If you need to update your information after signing up, please use the “Edit” link found in your confirmation email.
Hardware Day: Thursday, November 20 at noon
Software Day: Thursday, November 20 at 9:00pm
Business Day Friday, December 4 by end of day
Waiver Requirement (Hardware/Software Days Only)
Anyone participating in the hardware or software days, whether attendee or volunteer, must fill out a waiver for Maker Nexus.
Students under 18: You can have a parent/guardian complete it online here before you arrive, or they can fill it out at the front desk on the day of if they are coming with you.
Adults 18 or older: You can complete it online here before you arrive, or you can fill it out using the tablet at the front desk when you get there.
Fees
This year, registration for all days of the event is completely free, thanks to sponsorship. Please note that this rate is for this year only; future conferences may return to a small fee to cover operational costs, though they will remain free to attend for volunteers.
Loaner Machine Program Pilot
Loaner machines are available for attendees with genuine need, and can be requested through the registration form. Note that supplies are very limited so requests are not guaranteed to be fulfilled; attendees are responsible for having a backup plan.
Getting There
Venues
Maker Nexus (Hardware/Software Days): 1330 Orleans Dr, Sunnyvale, CA, 94089
Prospect High (Business Day): 18900 Prospect Rd., Saratoga, CA 95070
Parking
Hardware/Software Days: Free parking is available directly on-site outside Maker Nexus.
Business Day: Free parking will be available near the workshop rooms; details will be confirmed closer to the date.
Checking In
Both attendees and volunteers must come check in with us. We have a dedicated check-in time in the morning; however, if you are only coming later in the day, you may simply check in when you arrive.
Hardware/Software Days: Enter Maker Nexus through the main front door. All participants must first check in with Maker Nexus using their tablet at the front desk to receive a visitor badge. Afterwards, please proceed to the event room, located directly behind the front desk, to check in for the event itself with the planning team.
Business Day: Check-in will take place inside one of the workshop rooms; directions will be provided here closer to the date.
Lunch
A complimentary lunch will be provided for all volunteers in appreciation of their hard work and dedication. Attendees are responsible for bringing their own meals. Vending machines with snacks and beverages are available at Maker Nexus.
We ask that attendees not eat inside the workshop rooms. There are tables outdoors at both venues, and Maker Nexus has a separate break room/kitchen as well.
Health
Exercise typical health precautions (wash your hands often, cover your mouth when you cough, etc.), and stay home if you are showing signs of any sort of illness.
Hardware Day · Nov 21
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10:00 AM – 10:20 AMCheck-In
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10:20 AM – 10:25 AMWelcome
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10:25 AM – 11:10 AMCreating a Thorough and Engaging Design Curriculum
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11:15 AM – 12:15 PMPrinter Dissection
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12:15 PM – 1:00 PMLunch Break & Makerspace Tours
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1:00 PM – 3:00 PMThe Basics of Bumpers
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3:05 PM – 4:05 PMThe Art of Poverty
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4:10 PM – 5:10 PMIncorporating 3D Printing into FRC Robots
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5:15 PM – 6:15 PMSensors, Electronics, and the CAN Bus
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6:20 PM – 7:20 PMApply Physics to Make Better Hooks
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7:20 PM – 7:30 PMClosing
Software Day · Nov 22
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10:00 AM – 10:45 AMCheck-In
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10:45 AM – 10:50 AMWelcome
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10:50 AM – 11:50 AMGame Piece Detection
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11:50 PM – 12:50 PMLunch Break & Makerspace Tours
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12:50 PM – 1:50 PMSim Before Bot: Getting Your Code Running When Mechanical Runs Late
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2:00 PM – 3:00 PMFrom FIRST Student to Forward Deployed Engineer
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3:00 PM – 3:10 PMClosing
Volunteer
Why Volunteer?
Volunteers are what make this event possible with their expertise and enthusiasm. By volunteering, you'll not only connect with, teach, and learn from others who share your passion, but also be helping to make an impact on over 200 middle & high school students and adult mentors from over 30 different schools and community organizations!
Perks
All volunteers who take on any role for at least an hour on any day of the event receive a complimentary lunch* and free admission to all other sessions. We are also happy to certify service hours upon request.
*Meat and vegetarian options will always be offered, but due to the logistics of bulk orders, we cannot guarantee we can accommodate more specific dietary needs. Volunteers with such needs may want to bring their own lunches. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience.
How to Help
There are many ways to get involved, no matter your expertise, ability, or availability. You can help with presenting a workshop, setting up the space, or managing check-in. Both students and adults are welcome!
Volunteer Registration Deadlines
Hardware/Software Days: Tuesday, November 10 by end of day
Business Day: Tuesday, November 17 by end of day
About
About the Conference
The Western Region Robotics Forum (WRRF) Conference - the evolution of WRRF's annual Workshops, which have been held since the early 2000s - is the longest-running independent learning & networking event for FIRST teams across Northern California. With inspiring presentations, hands-on workshops, social activities, and more, the WRRF Conference brings together over 200 students and mentors from over 30 different schools and community organizations each year.
Though most participants hail from the San Francisco Bay Area, some travel from as far as Napa, Woodland, Seaside, and Monterey, or even participate remotely from outside California. But no matter where they're from, we welcome all participants to come exchange knowledge and support each other as individuals, as teams, and as a community.
WRRF is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit in operation since 2003, supporting FIRST Robotics and STEM education in the San Francisco Bay Area. Though staffed mostly volunteers who also do FIRST, it operates independently of, and is not directly affiliated with, FIRST itself or any schools or FIRST teams.
Planning Committee
(listed alphabetically by first name)
Adalynn L., FRC 2643
Aileen Y., FRC 4990
Angela D., FRC 2643 Alum
Angie L., FRC 972
Beverly X., FRC 649 Alum
Clayton O., WRRF Volunteer
Ellie L., FRC 2643
Iman S., FRC 2135
Laura Z., FRC 3256
Marvin L., FRC 253
Mudit B., FRC 846
Parnika K., FRC 649 Alum
Patrick N., FTC 12635
Rebecca G., FRC 1671
Reese C., FRC 1967
Saara P., FRC 972 Alum
Sanaya C., FRC 1868
Shivani P., FRC 1868
Sneha A., FRC 2135
Vincy W., FRC 253
Zaria S., FRC 2135
A Special Thank-You to Our Hosts
Maker Nexus
Prospect High School & FRC 2813