Underwater Dreams, narrated by Michael Peña, chronicles the epic story of four teenage boys from the desert who built an underwater robot from Home Depot parts, and went up against engineering powerhouse MIT in the process.
This is how it transpired. Two energetic high school science teachers, on a whim, decided to enter their high school into a sophisticated underwater competition sponsored by NASA, among others. Only four boys, all undocumented, signed up for the team. Short on money, all they could afford was PVC pipe. And some duct tape.
After a few test runs of their robot, the team was confident that they would not come in last at the event, so they all piled into a beat up van to head to the competition. Fast forward to a shocking result. This rag-tag high school team did what no one thought possible. These boys forged a legacy that could not have been imagined.
The Center for American Progress, in partnership with FWD.us and the National Immigration Forum, presents a special screening of Underwater Dreams, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session.
This film was made possible by the Bezos Family Foundation and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. Executive Producers: Michael Peña, Jeb Bush, Jr., Adam Fogelson, Laurie Tisch, Jackie Bezos, Mike Bezos, Christine Vachon, Sarah Lenti, Cliff Michaels.
Featured speakers:
Mary Mazzio, Director, Underwater Dreams
Bill Kamela, Policy Counsel, Microsoft
Fredi Lajvardi, Teacher, Carl Hayden High School
Lorenzo Santillan, Founding Member, Carl Hayden Falcon Robotics team
Moderated by:
Angela Kelley, Vice President for Immigration Policy and Advocacy, Center for American Progress