Pioneers in Engineering (PiE) brings STEM education to Bay Area high school students through a mentorship-based robotics competition. Berkeley student members join one of several project teams (software, mechanical, electrical, operations, or corporate relations) and meet twice a week to build out the competition infrastructure. Members can also enroll in the PiE RC DeCal each spring to directly mentor a high school team through the 8-week season, culminating in a Final Competition on campus.
350+
Berkeley student contributors (all-time)
700+
High school competitors (all-time)
30+
Bay Area schools that have participated
2
RC DeCal units (P/NP grading)
1.5
RC DeCal weekly section length, in hours (6:30–8 PM)
8
Competition season length, in weeks
Events They Host
Kickoff
Starts the spring competition season. Includes a presentation from the Director, Head Referee, and keynote speaker. Teams meet their mentors, receive their robot kit, and learn the game. February 27th, 2026, 8am.
Design Review
High school students present robot designs to PiE staff, alumni, university professors, and industry professionals, and receive feedback. March 14th, 2026, 8am.
Exhibition
Worksession-style event where students sign up for 30-minute slots to test their robots on the field. March 14th, 2026, 8am.
Scrimmage
Practice competition event where teams run their robots in practice matches and go through inspection. April 4th, 2026, 8am.
Final Competition
Season finale with qualification matches, alliance selection, and elimination bracket held on UC Berkeley campus. Awards given for engineering professionalism, mechanical design, software excellence, and bracket placement. April 25th-26th, 2026, 8am.
PiE On The Road (workshops)
Workshops brought to Bay Area schools, free for participants.
Fall Competition (reboot)
A Fall rerun of the previous Spring competition game, open to high school students. Past events held at Hearst Memorial Mining Building on UC Berkeley campus.
Member Experiences
Fire Trail Hike Social
Fall recruiting hike meeting at O'Brien 101. Week 1, Saturday 9/6, 6-9 PM.
DIY Dreamcatcher Social
Member social at O'Brien 101. Week 2, Friday 9/12, 6-8 PM.
Night of a Thousand Nuggets
Member social at O'Brien 101. Week 2, Saturday 9/13, 6-8 PM.
Coffee Making Social
Member social at O'Brien 101. Week 3, Friday 9/19, 5-7 PM.
Project Expo
Two sessions where prospective and new members learn about each project team and find where they want to contribute. Week 3, Wednesday 9/17 7-9 PM and Saturday 9/20 1-3 PM, at O'Brien 101.