We’ve loved getting to know the students and mentors at X Academy, a local nonprofit partner that provides STEM enrichment programs to young people throughout Santa Cruz County.
Last fall, X Academy students joined us aboard the Western Flyer for a day of underwater robotics in Monterey Bay. They learned to deploy a professional ROV, tested an award-winning underwater robot they had designed and built themselves, and spent time with marine science and technology professionals. They wrote a great story about their day aboard, which you can read here.
Now, some of those students are world champions!
On June 27, X Academy’s Hephaestus Robotics team took first place in the Ranger Class at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, competing against 47 high school teams from 13 countries.
And this was no overnight success. Hephaestus placed fifth at the World Championship in 2023, third in 2024, third again in 2025—and this year, they climbed all the way to first.
We couldn’t be more thrilled for these remarkable students and their mentors, who have spent years designing, building, testing, troubleshooting, and trying again. We loved having them aboard the Western Flyer and look forward to more exploring together in the future.
Congratulations, Hephaestus! You’re world champions!
