Hi! I'm Grant
Hi! I’m Grant, a student who loves diving into history, building robots, playing drums, and giving back to my community. I enjoy learning, creating, and connecting with others. This site is a little glimpse into the things that excite and inspire me.
History · Robotics · Music
My Passion for History
Preserving Local History - Alviso Untold Story (alvisountoldstory.com)
Our Mission:
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Our work explores Alviso’s remarkable transformation from a vibrant 19th-century port town to a quiet yet resilient community on the edge of Silicon Valley. Through historical research, oral histories, and archival materials, we uncover the building blocks that shaped Alviso. Our ultimate goal is to make Alviso's history an interactive, engaging, and accessible experience enjoyed by all.
Thomas Foon Chew Day:
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While researching Alviso, I discovered Thomas Foon Chew, founder of the Bayside Canning Company that was once the third largest cannery in America. To honor his legacy as a trailblazer in the Bay Area, I proposed and helped establish “Thomas Foon Chew Day” in San Jose.
My speech at the Thomas Foon Chew Day Proclamation Ceremony at San Jose City Hall
Past Presentations
Blog
These presentations serve to spread awareness for Alviso across the Bay Area. I believe that if more people just knew about Alviso, more would be done to help it.
Keep up with my Alviso journey!
History Bee & Bowl Competition
I started my career in the National and International History Bee/Bowl competitions in 6th grade. I still remember the adrenaline rush I got when I answered my first ever History Bee question on the Battle of Gettysburg. I believe that in order to make a difference in this world, you must know about the world. Over the years, I have won many awards including 2025 International History Olympiad History Bowl world Finalist!
Here are highlights from a few tournaments:
Historical Research Papers
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A Shift in the Strait: How the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis Led to a New U.S.–China–Taiwan Framework (8,856 words; 300+ sources reviewed, 68 cited)
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Received National Writing Board grade “A: Very Good (top 15%).” Submitted to The Concord Review
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The Forgotten City of the Bay Area: How San Jose Failed Alviso. (2,487 words, 200+ sources reviewed, 41 cited)
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Earned State Honorable Mention for historical research paper - National History Day (California)
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Co-authored a paper on shifting social values and political polarization after the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal (4,803 words, 22 sources cited)
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Earned an A in NT 93LS: Introduction to Research in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences - UC Santa Barbara Summer Research Academy
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School Clubs
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In 10th grade, I co-founded a History Club at my school with my friend.
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Grew to 70 members (w/ 80-100% attendance & 92% satisfaction)
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Ran lectures and created games like Kahoot and Family Feud to teach students history
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Led interactive study sessions to train students for the History Bee, sent 10 students to internationals and 11 to Nationals
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BISV History Club members at 2025 International History Olympiad in Paris
I was hosting a trivia game at BISV club fair in August, 2024
Online Courses
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In Summer 2023, I taught an online course about the history of all 50 states.
My Passion for Robotics
VEX V5 Robotics Competitions (powerbeans.org)
I began competing in VEX V5 Robotics in 8th grade, where I developed strong engineering skills, formed lasting friendships, and gained years of hands-on robotics experience. My team has earned multiple awards, including Overall Finalist at the 2025 High School VEX Robotics World Championship!
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Our YouTube Channel (36K views, 307 subscribers): https://www.youtube.com/@1698V
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Our Code on Github (371 downloads): https://github.com/richardbwang/RW-Template
Past Competitions
Community Outreach
I co-founded Power Beans Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making robotics education more accessible. Our mission is to empower every student with the opportunity to learn robotics while cultivating essential skills in teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.
Past Competitions
My Passion for Percussion and Drum
I’ve been playing percussion instruments for 10+ years. I have experience with these instruments: Drum set, Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Congas, Bongos, Tambourine, Triangle, Woodblock, Timpani, and Cowbell.
I passed Trinity College London – Drum Kit Grade 4, Grade 6 (Distinction) and Grade 8 (highest grade)
