"Can There Be More Sessions?" First-Gen Student Voices from Crunch Club 2026

One of our favorite traditions at the end of every Crunch Club is asking students one simple question:

“What did you think?”

Every year we’re humbled by the thoughtful responses.

This year, one theme appeared again and again.

Students didn’t want Crunch Club to end.

From hands-on engineering challenges to AI activities, teamwork, and yes, plenty of snacks, students consistently described Crunch Club as one of the highlights of their summer. Their responses reflected not only what they learned, but how connected they felt to one another. Survey responses showed especially strong ratings for learning useful information, feeling connected with peers, and recommending Crunch Club to friends.

What Crunch Club Students Are Saying

Some of our favorite comments included:

• Alexa: “I liked how you showed us new things while having fun!”
• Gael: “Everything honestly… I just hope there could be more sessions!” — “SNACKS!!! I just enjoyed the overall relaxing vibe and that I could actually concentrate!”
• Grace: “This is PERFECT!” — “The build boxes & the volunteers!”
• Jonathan: “The Crunch Labs boxes were really entertaining!”
• Brianna: “You should continue Crunch Labs!!! I like Crunch Club, y’all should continue!”
• Daniela: “I really enjoyed that we can build Crunch boxes and that we also get help!”
• Danna: “You should make Crunch Club longer! I loved Crunch Club!”
• David: “This is good, keep doing it!” — “Teamwork!”
• Fatima: “I really enjoyed Crunch Club and working with other people!”
• Henry: “Everything 😀”
• Isabel: “I liked the snacks and being able to build new things.”
• Kelly: “I enjoyed building the stuff!”
• Raul: “No suggestions… except more spicy chips?”
• William: “It was all good. I enjoyed it. The food was nice.”

Even our junior coach, Sree, wished the program lasted longer:

“More weeks! It was sad seeing everyone go so fast.” — “EVERYTHING!!!”

Perfect Scores Across the Board

Many students also gave perfect scores for learning useful STEM concepts, feeling connected to their Breakthrough peers, and recommending Crunch Club to friends. Several students rated all three categories a perfect 6 out of 6, highlighting both the educational value and welcoming community created throughout the program.

Reading these comments reminds us why Crunch Club exists. It’s never just about teaching engineering.

It’s about helping students discover confidence, build friendships, ask questions without fear, and realize that they belong in STEM.

To every student, family, volunteer, Breakthrough Silicon Valley staff member, and our partners at Mark Rober’s Crunch Labs, thank you for making another incredible summer possible.

See you at Crunch Club 2027!