Comparison of Chapter Summaries of RRJs

RRJ #1
The story begins on the 25th of June, 2004 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It
introduces four Latino boys: Lorenzo Santilla, Oscar Vasquez, Cristian Arcega, and Luis Arnada.
The four attend Carl Hayden Community High School, and all live in their poverty-stricken
hometown, West Phoenix. The team has just entered the highest division under-water robotics
competition, and are up against veteran college teams. Although many competitors think their
presence there is a mistake, they still enter with their homemade robot; made from spare parts,
cleverly named Stinky. With their proven, extensive knowledge in the science and mathematics
that comes along with building an underwater robot, they challenge the common stereotypes that
most people associate with bad neighborhoods and their inhabitants.

RRJ #7
These last few chapters cover the four boys obstacles they had to face before competing in the
National ROV Competition. The boys felt a bit out of place when in comparison to the other
colleges robots, equipped with glass synthetic foam, elaborate control panels, and matching
outfits. As opposed to the scrap metals, bright paint, smelly glue, and plastic tubing that
decorated Stinky, their self-doubt was clouded by their anxiousness. During the first morning
practice that the group had a chance to practice with Stinky in the pool, the wires malfunctioned
due to a small tablespoon of water that leaked through the briefcase. Everyone in the group
doubted whether they would be able to compete; until Lorenzo came up with the ingenious idea
of absorbing the water with tampons. After Lorenzo and Oscar spent all night finishing
resoldering the tedious wires one by one, Stinky was fit for competing. With some encouraging
words from both Fredi and Allan, the team began the mission with a few hiccups, but managed to
haul 32 total points, placing them in 3rd place. After unexpectedly winning the design award, the
Technical Writing Award, and the, Special Prize and 1st place over everyone electrified the
group; the kids from the desert had won.