X Academy - Santa Cruz

07/29/2026

Exciting News: X Academy Featured in Santa Cruz Vibes! 🎉 -

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07/10/2026

🔐 Not your ordinary math camp...

⏳ A limited number of spots are still available—register today!

Can YOU crack the code? 👀

Join us for a week of:
🕵️ Secret codes
🏺 Ancient mysteries
🧩 Puzzles & games
✨ Hands-on discovery
🚀 Big ideas

Students entering grades 5–8 will explore math through creativity, collaboration, and adventure—not worksheets!

📅 July 13–17
📍 Sequoia High School
🕘 9 AM–5 PM
☀️ Early drop-off: 7:30 AM
🌙 Late pick-up: 6 PM
⭐ FREE for PVUSD students
💙 $500 for all other students
Financial aid available.

Ready to think differently about math?
PVUSD Registration: https://s.inplay.org/2tfiu

All Others Registration:
https://www.xacademy.org/math



🔐 ¡No es un campamento de matemáticas cualquiera!
⏳ ¡Quedan espacios limitados! ¡Inscríbete hoy mismo!

¿Puedes descifrar el código? 👀

Una semana llena de:
🕵️ Códigos secretos
🏺 Misterios del mundo antiguo
🧩 Acertijos y juegos
✨ Actividades prácticas
🚀 Grandes ideas

Los estudiantes que ingresan a 5.º–8.º grado descubrirán que las matemáticas pueden ser creativas, emocionantes y muy divertidas.

📅 13–17 de julio
📍 Sequoia High School
🕘 9:00 a. m. – 5:00 p. m.
☀️ Entrada temprana: 7:30 a. m.
🌙 Recogida tardía: 6:00 p. m.
⭐ GRATIS para estudiantes de PVUSD
💙 $500 para los demás estudiantes
Hay ayuda financiera disponible.
¡Los esperamos!

Estudiantes de PVUSD: https://s.inplay.org/2tfiu

Culaquier Otros Estudiantes:
https://www.xacademy.org/math

07/08/2026

🌊 Two Events. One Great Summer of Discovery!
Community STEM Adventures for the Whole Family

At X Academy, we believe learning doesn't stop when school lets out—it happens through exploration, curiosity, and hands-on discovery. This weekend, we're excited to share two incredible opportunities for families to experience STEM in action right here on the Central Coast.

🤖 MBARI Open House
📅 Saturday, July 11 | ⏰ 1:00–5:00 PM

Go behind the scenes at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and discover how scientists and engineers are advancing our understanding of the ocean. While you're there, stop by and meet X Academy's Hephaestus Robotics Team! Fresh off their MATE ROV World Championship victory, the team will be showcasing their award-winning underwater robot and sharing how robotics can help solve real-world challenges beneath the sea.

🌊 Seas the Summer!
Our friends at the Western Flyer Foundation are hosting a wonderful series of events celebrating marine science, exploration, storytelling, and our connection to the ocean. From hands-on activities to inspiring programs for all ages, there's something for everyone to enjoy throughout the summer.

Whether you're fascinated by robotics, passionate about ocean conservation, or simply looking for a fun family outing, these events are a wonderful way to stay curious and connected this summer.

🔹 Learn more about the MBARI Open House:
https://www.mbari.org/event/2026-mbari-open-house/

🔹 Explore the Western Flyer Foundation's Seas the Summer! events:
https://www.westernflyer.org/events/

We hope to see you there!

07/01/2026

🏆 WORLD CHAMPIONS! 🌎🤖

Hephaestus Robotics has done it!

The X Academy’s Hephaestus Robotics earned FIRST PLACE in the Ranger Class at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, competing against 47 high school teams from 13 countries. The overall World Championship brought together 86 student teams from 16 countries across multiple divisions.

This victory is the culmination of years of perseverance:
2023 ➡️ 5th in the World
2024 ➡️ 3rd in the World
2025 ➡️ 3rd in the World
2026 ➡️ WORLD CHAMPIONS 🏆

Over the past nine months, students spent hundreds of hours designing, building, testing, troubleshooting, fundraising, presenting, and problem-solving together. They didn't just build an underwater robot—they learned how to lead, communicate, collaborate, and persevere through challenges.

Thank you to our volunteer mentors, families, donors, sponsors, and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education for believing in our students and making this extraordinary journey possible.

🎉 Join us TONIGHT at 6PM the Santa Cruz Works New Tech Meetup as we celebrate this historic achievement and hear directly from the team about their World Championship experience!

Register here: https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/scworks-new-tech-july-1-2026

Congratulations, Hephaestus—you have inspired an entire community!!

06/26/2026

🚀 BIG NEWS — WE MADE IT! 🌎

Team Hephaestus has officially arrived in St. John's, Newfoundland, and the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship is underway!

After months of engineering, testing, fundraising, and preparation, our students are now competing alongside 86 teams from 16 countries from around the world.

We're excited to share some early results:
🏆 FULL POINTS in Safety Inspection
🌊 FULL POINTS in the Float Mission

These achievements reflect the countless hours our students have dedicated to refining their ROV, strengthening their teamwork, and preparing for competition on the world stage.
📺 Want to cheer us on from home?
-Tune in Here: https://www.twitch.tv/mateinspires1

We're competing LIVE tomorrow at:
🕔 5:00 AM PST
🕦 11:30 AM PST

Links to the Twitch livestream and channel guide can be found in the description below.

Thank you to Dr. Farris Sabbah, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, our families, donors, sponsors, mentors, and the entire community for helping make this incredible experience possible. Your support is carrying Team Hephaestus onto the world stage!

Please join us in wishing our students good luck as they continue competition in Newfoundland! ❤️🤖

2026 MATE Live Stream Guide: https://d2rqfv04.na1.hubspotlinks.com/Ctc/W3+113/d2rqFv04/VWcqX218ysnqW1n0mGp8hBVL3W4-ljtc5QH8tMN97h0GH5kBVzW6N1X8z6lZ3pTW4P-XpP1DGbblVtQ-CN5b29DYW3xz3253sNWqKW4vZhGP2ZcwWMW21Qyb869c2p6W4jy5HG6fng7YW7sV38q93G7BVN96PtzJpxd6HW2jn0ty87hTMdW85xRpB1r_ggXW1hKZL34LQQQBW3RQ0tJ4lW7_2W6m66jg7lhtH7W7YnvWN8N0VbbW5sz0Qp1Vvz-rV79jcG5tjtdrN77SG0tG2Y_6N8l6xM2N1D8gW393hZs1FBwrKW8q5c3P3r9DY7W24BGzk5f_bK6W1sW_vl1SdzL6W4yKJs76gZRl_W5Khjf-1vstdyW3YwBdC2pjpdcW3z55v68my83lW8v9xss81vlZBW1jcgJJ5SRCHyW3N89YB2DDfnqN8zy3tGVX8bnW5_q9_66jQQvJW2ht1vk4lNC_xVdTdRt6SvwLcW37SqlQ6Rzn4QW8_PCnR20M5SlW5-v4GB1-t6hBN4M81CbzDDqDW5K3ZDp8Qb_QNf82CvkF04

06/09/2026

🌊 Building Today. Exploring Tomorrow. Protecting Our Ocean.

Today, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are helping scientists discover new ecosystems, monitor marine life, study climate impacts, and better understand the underwater world.

That's why programs like MATE ROV matter.

At X Academy, students gain hands-on experience designing, building, and operating underwater robots while developing the engineering, programming, collaboration, and critical thinking skills needed to solve tomorrow's challenges.

We're proud to learn alongside organizations like MBARI, whose groundbreaking work continues to advance ocean research and conservation, and we're especially excited that our own student team will once again compete at the MATE ROV World Championship this year.

On this World Ocean Day, we celebrate not only the ocean—but the next generation of innovators who will help protect it.

And every future innovator starts with curiosity.

💙 If you know a curious 5th–8th grader who loves to build, explore, create, and solve problems, X Academy Summer Math Camp registration is now open. We'd love to see them this summer.

Happy World Ocean Day!

06/07/2026

Students always remind us exactly why X Academy exists. ❤️

Congratulations to Sophia on graduating as Valedictorian of Pacific Collegiate School and beginning her next chapter at UCLA, where she will study Applied Mathematics. 🎓➗

Sophia's journey has been one of curiosity, perseverance, and a willingness to tackle challenges head-on. As an X Academy Math Circle student and a 2× MATE ROV World Championship competitor (and soon a 3× competitor!), she has embraced opportunities to learn, explore, and grow.

Her accomplishments are remarkable—but what inspires us most is her love of learning and her generosity as a teammate and leader.

At X Academy, we believe every student has extraordinary potential when curiosity is nurtured and opportunities are available. Sophia is a beautiful example of that belief in action.

Congratulations, Sophia! The entire X Academy community is cheering you on, and we can't wait to see where your journey takes you. 🚀❤️

06/03/2026

☀️ Summer is for curiosity, creativity, and fun!

Looking for a summer experience that challenges students to think differently, solve problems, and explore the beauty of mathematics?

Join us for X Academy Summer Math Camp!

Students will:
🧩 Solve puzzles and strategy games
🎨 Explore mathematical art
🤝 Collaborate with fellow curious minds
🌿 Learn through hands-on activities and outdoor fun

This isn't your typical math class. There are no grades, no pressure, and no competition—just engaging challenges, creative thinking, and a community of students who love learning.

📅 July 13–17, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Sequoia High School, Watsonville
💲 FREE

Space is limited. Register today via PVUSD or X Academy Website!
PVUSD InPlay Link: https://www.inplay.org/r/freedom/providers/x-academy-pvusd-expanded-learning/fun-math
X Academy Link - https://www.xacademy.org/math-camp-registration-1!



__________
☀️ ¡El verano es para la curiosidad, la creatividad y la diversión!

Invitamos a estudiantes y familias a participar en el Campamento de Matemáticas de X Academy, una experiencia gratuita donde las matemáticas cobran vida a través de juegos, rompecabezas, arte matemático, retos creativos y trabajo en equipo.

Aquí no hay exámenes ni presión. Los estudiantes exploran, crean, colaboran y descubren nuevas formas de pensar mientras desarrollan confianza y habilidades para resolver problemas.

📅 13–17 de julio de 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Sequoia High School, Watsonville
💲 ¡GRATIS!

¡Los espacios son limitados. Inscríbete hoy por PVUSD o X Academy!
Enlace de PVUSD (inglés): https://www.inplay.org/r/freedom/providers/x-academy-pvusd-expanded-learning/fun-math
Enlace de X Academy (inglés): https://www.xacademy.org/math-camp-registration-1!

05/22/2026

🏆 Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the 2026 Santa Cruz County Math Competition!

We’re especially proud to celebrate X Academy Math Circle students Sean and Hulu, whose Scotts Valley Middle School team earned 1st Place in the 6th Grade Team Competition. 🎉

We also want to recognize Mission Hill Middle School and Ms. Shafer’s outstanding 8th Grade Team for earning 1st Place overall, with:
🥇 Mike (Tian) Qiu — 1st Place Individual
🥈 Henry Green — 2nd Place Individual
🥉 Ihan Kang — 3rd Place Individual

These accomplishments reflect far more than strong math skills. They represent curiosity, persistence, teamwork, and students who are excited to learn and challenge themselves.

At X Academy, we believe math should be joyful, creative, collaborative, and deeply engaging — and these students are a wonderful example of what happens when young people are encouraged to think boldly and keep growing.

Thank you to the students, teachers, and families who continue supporting a culture of learning in our community. We are proud of all of you. ❤️

05/16/2026

Sunday Math Festival! at UCSC Seymour Center May 17 - https://mailchi.mp/xacademy/ready-for-math-fun-compete-may-9-camp-in-july-12755787