MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Team 812, the Midnight Mechanics, is to foster the integration of FIRST and to instill an appreciation for math, science, and technology among the youth in San Diego and surrounding counties.

OUR VALUES
Foster student interest in math, science, and technology. We want students to be enthused and confident in these disciplines and, as a result, demonstrate this excitement through academic excellence, involvement in FIRST, and continual participation in FIRST beyond their high school career.

Raise awareness of the FIRST message and FIRST programs in our communities. We want to engage students, schools, teachers, administrators, community members, leaders, and local businesses in FIRST as a participant, volunteer, and mentor. By providing FRC, FTC, and FLL programs at our school and other schools in San Diego and surrounding counties, we are committed to giving each student the opportunity to experience FIRST.

Create new opportunities for members. We want students to pursue FIRST beyond the classroom by working with real engineers and participating in engineering-related internships and programs. Through partnerships with local, statewide, and national scholarship and internship programs, we engage students in interactive academic-enrichment opportunities where they can apply their knowledge and practical engineering applications.

Foster the development of lifelong skills that will make our students successful in the future. We aim to equip our students with valuable leadership skills and the confidence to break barriers. By providing them opportunities to take risks and experience new things, we make it possible for our students to mature and recognize their full potential.

Encourage critical and creative thinking. We want to foster innovative problem solvers, communicators, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who are going to be able to address community needs and be active in influencing change/raising awareness of these issues.

Raise a new generation of engineers and scientists. In a time where our country is falling behind in the race for innovation, we want our students to take what they have learned from FIRST and open the doors to possible careers in math, science, and technology

"Through FIRST, I have been able to build friendships that I am sure will last my entire life."
KATRINA WONG, Midnight Mechanic

Katrina Wong (right) entered the magical world of the Midnight Mechanics as a freshmen in high school. She began her FIRST career as a member of the Community Partnerships department, organizing and facilitating community events. At the Los Angeles Regional, her first regional, she was excited to meet students, like Monica Fernandez (left), who were just as crazy about FIRST as she was. Today, although Monica is off at Purdue University, she still maintains contact with her fellow Midnight Mechanic.

A PROUD MEMBER OF