Cal Poly Universities’ “Jungle Jumpstart” Rose Parade Float Showcases Student Innovation, Teamwork

Cal Poly University’s 77th Rose Parade float, “Jungle Jumpstart,” brings to life a rainforest community working together to restore their 40-foot robot friend using jungle materials. The float reflects the parade’s theme of teamwork and transformation.

The only student-designed and student-built float in the parade, “Jungle Jumpstart,” is a collaboration between California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Despite being 250 miles apart, students from both campuses contribute year-round through a “learn by doing” approach.

The float features animal engineers—a frog, monkey, jaguar, lemurs and toucan—using their unique skills to repair the robot. Students build and design mechanical, drive and animation systems; weld supports; shape elements; and test materials before final decoration begins.

“Our team is extremely excited to share our parade float,” said Aubrey Goings, president of the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo team. “It is more than just a story—it is a mirror of us, as Cal Poly students who combine innovation, creativity and problem solving in the classroom, the lab and in our day-to-day lives.”

Amelia Atwell, Cal Poly Pomona team president and senior architecture major, said, “With each new float we take the lessons we’ve learned in prior years and push outside of our comfort zone to innovate and create something entirely new. I’m looking forward to seeing the innovations will come through that problem solving.”

RJ Pollock, assistant design chair and journalism major, called it “the most thematically beautiful float that we have done within the last four years.”

The float includes carnivorous plants, Alstroemeria, Liatris, Blue Corn Grits, Dusty Miller and High Magic Roses. A technicolor macaw sits 25 feet high.

Since 1949, Cal Poly students have earned 63 Rose Parade awards, including the Leishman Public Spirit Award for “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs.” Their floats are known for pioneering hydraulic and computer-controlled animation.

The California State University system serves more than 460,000 students, over half from underrepresented backgrounds and more than one-quarter as first-generation college students.