About Titanium

Titanium Robotics, in its 20+ years of existence, has been and continues to be committed to the creation of opportunities and inspiration to pursue STEAM for everyone and anyone. We work to provide a creative, innovative, spirited environment that teaches and promotes Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics in unique and engaging ways that a traditional classroom cannot. Our mission is to spread FIRST® values as well as STEAM to the younger generation in tandem with our belief that STEAM is for everyone.In 2003, NASA engineer Dr. Jeng Yen founded our team and since then, anyone interested in joining the team has been welcomed, no matter their experience. Additionally, as a completely student-led organization, we rely on our cabinet of solely members to run the team. Whether it be marketing an event or building a test board, student leadership is the core of the team’s success. Through this process, students also produce materials such as videos and guides that build a cycle of knowledge, allowing us to retain skills for the following years. As such, our students gain skills in how to learn, teach, lead, and push themselves to be the best both within and outside of the robotics room.After years of solidifying our presence and constructing a strong foundation for outreach, Team 1160 has become an important part of not only our school, but also our entire community. Our influence continuously transcends our campus grounds as we guide our community members, sponsors, and local newspaper outlets through each and every FRC season.

Our Team

Feelings are important, but it's the Physics that matters.- Team Motto

Titanium Robotics is a team consisting of approximately 50 students. Although most members come from San Marino High School, there are members from other schools who share a common interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Robotics gives students the opportunity to work with professional engineers from companies such as Boeing and JPL, who have volunteered to be mentors to the team. Members not only learn to work with intricate machinery, but also learn to design and build a robot by hand. Programming is also an extremely important part of robotics that can be learned. If mechanical or programming work does not interest prospective members, one can always work on the business side to the Titanium Robotics experience. Titanium Robotics offers a wonderful experience for everyone.

Our HistoryOur team was founded in 2003 by Dr. Jeng Yen. Four years after our team was founded, our present advisor and mentor, San Marino High School teacher Scott Barton, came forward to lead the team. Following the ideals of these two mentors, the team has always emphasized a student, not mentor, led workforce which equates to a unique experience not found anywhere else in San Marino.Beginning as team “Titanium,” the team competed every year in the FIRST Robotics Competition. A few years later, we decided to change our image and thus became “Firebird Robotics.” After a couple years as “Firebird Robotics”, we have officially reinstated ourselves as “Titanium Robotics”.

Our Brand

Our Timeline2003Titanium Robotics was founded by Dr. Jeng Yen, an employee at JPL, under the mentorship of Mr. Wyeth Collo, a biology teacher at San Marino High School. Originally called Team Titanium, we worked out of a 4x4 shed in a member’s back yard. Wooden Shed

2005Team Titanium relocated into a trailer at Huntington Middle School, which better suited the team’s needs. Portable Classroom at HMS

2007Mr. Scott Barton, a physics teacher at San Marino High School, takes over as lead mentor for Team Titanium. With experience in both business and engineering, he transformed the team into what it is now. He continues to serve as head mentor for the team. Under his guidance, Team Titaium transformed into Firebird Robotics.After buying many tools for our team and filling a then-vacant driver's ED classroom with them, the team officially got a dedicated workshop at San Marino High School to operate out of. Afterwards, we were provided with more tools from JPL mentor Mr. French and Boeing.

2010B-roll videos of the team's robots were created and sent to all Los Angeles television stations. Not Brad

2012Feeling disconnected with our school and community and wanting a more modern and professional identity, we combined Team Titanium and Firebird Robotics to rebrand into Titanium Robotics

2014Using our high school's advanced drama students as actors, a 30 second television commercial was shot by the team and played as a PSA. PSA Commercial

2017To bring awareness towards breast cancer, Titanium Robotics began the tradition of rebranding to pink every October. Through handing out pink ribbons and hosting a mural signing, we aim to bring awareness for breast cancer every year. Team Members Painting a Pinktober Poster

Team Members Painting a Pinktober Poster

2025We continue to operate as a student-led robotics team open to any student interested. Our team consists of 30+ active members and a cabinet of 21 people, ~25% of which are female. Our impact in our community and beyond is deep as we host numerous events to further our mission of spreading STEAM to everyone. Titanium Robotics Sword

About Titanium

In 2003, NASA engineer Dr. Jeng Yen founded our team and since then, anyone interested in joining the team has been welcomed, no matter their experience. Additionally, as a completely student-led organization, we rely on our cabinet of solely members to run the team. Whether it be marketing an event or building a test board, student leadership is the core of the team’s success. Through this process, students also produce materials such as videos and guides that build a cycle of knowledge, allowing us to retain skills for the following years. As such, our students gain skills in how to learn, teach, lead, and push themselves to be the best both within and outside of the robotics room.

After years of solidifying our presence and constructing a strong foundation for outreach, Team 1160 has become an important part of not only our school, but also our entire community. Our influence continuously transcends our campus grounds as we guide our community members, sponsors, and local newspaper outlets through each and every FRC season.