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The True Story Of How 4 Undocumented Teens From Phoenix Beat MIT In A Robotics Competition

How 4 Undocumented Teens Beat MIT In A Robotics Competition
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UNITED STATES - JANUARY 13: From left, actor George Lopez, who stars in Spare Parts, Oscar Vazquez, a student from the school who is portrayed by Carlos PenaVega, right, and, Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin, D-Ill., talk after a screening of the film at the E Street Cinema, January 13, 2015. It is the story of hispanic high school students who prevail in a science competition, despite long odds, against well established universities. The screening was part of the Center for American Progress' Reel Progress film series and Durbin was in attendance because of his sponsorship of the Dream Act. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

It all came down to grit, determination and some tampons.

Ten years ago, four undocumented Hispanic teenagers from a tough neighborhood in Phoenix built a robot named Stinky out of odds and ends, entered it in a national underwater robotics competition, and unseated reigning champion MIT to win.

No one – not their teachers, not their parents, not the students themselves, and certainly not the elite team from MIT – thought they could do it.

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