Photos & Stories
Rocky Top Tryke Build - Dec 12, 2025
Our team had the privilege of partnering once again with Rocky Top Trykes for one of the most meaningful events of our season. This marks our third year working alongside this incredible organization to help build adaptive bikes for children with disabilities—and it continues to be a day our students cherish.
Working side by side, our students helped assemble specially designed trikes, carefully adjusting each one to fit a specific child. Every bolt tightened and every adjustment made carried real purpose, knowing that these bikes would soon open the door to freedom, confidence, and independence for a child who might not otherwise experience it.
The moment that stays with us most comes at the end: watching a child climb onto their bike and take that first ride. The joy on their face—the surprise, the laughter, the pure delight—is nothing short of miraculous. To witness that moment, and to know we played a small part in making it possible, is an experience that leaves a lasting mark on every student involved.
Partnerships like this remind us that robotics and engineering are about so much more than machines. They are tools for service, empathy, and making a tangible difference in the lives of others. We are deeply grateful to Rocky Top Trykes for welcoming us into this work and allowing us to be part of something so profoundly joyful.
Working side by side, our students helped assemble specially designed trikes, carefully adjusting each one to fit a specific child. Every bolt tightened and every adjustment made carried real purpose, knowing that these bikes would soon open the door to freedom, confidence, and independence for a child who might not otherwise experience it.
The moment that stays with us most comes at the end: watching a child climb onto their bike and take that first ride. The joy on their face—the surprise, the laughter, the pure delight—is nothing short of miraculous. To witness that moment, and to know we played a small part in making it possible, is an experience that leaves a lasting mark on every student involved.
Partnerships like this remind us that robotics and engineering are about so much more than machines. They are tools for service, empathy, and making a tangible difference in the lives of others. We are deeply grateful to Rocky Top Trykes for welcoming us into this work and allowing us to be part of something so profoundly joyful.
Farragut Christmas Parade - Dec 8, 2025
The Farragut Christmas Parade is one of our favorite traditions of the year—and this year was no exception. Each December, our students look forward to decorating the parade bot and sharing their love of robotics with the community in a way that feels joyful, creative, and a little bit magical.
As the bot rolled down the parade route, the reactions from the crowd made all the hard work worth it. Children (and adults!) lit up with excitement, pointing, waving, and smiling as they caught sight of a robot cruising through the Christmas cheer. Seeing that look of wonder—those moments when curiosity sparks and imaginations open—is exactly why we do this. We hope experiences like this inspire young people to explore robotics, engineering, and STEM, or at the very least help broaden their understanding of the many possibilities for their future.
Midway through the parade, our robot ran out of battery power. Without missing a beat, our students jumped in and pushed the bot the rest of the route. Their determination, teamwork, and good spirits perfectly captured what our team is all about: perseverance, problem-solving, and showing up for each other no matter what.
We’re grateful to be part of a community that celebrates innovation, creativity, and holiday joy—and we can’t wait to bring the parade bot back again next year.
As the bot rolled down the parade route, the reactions from the crowd made all the hard work worth it. Children (and adults!) lit up with excitement, pointing, waving, and smiling as they caught sight of a robot cruising through the Christmas cheer. Seeing that look of wonder—those moments when curiosity sparks and imaginations open—is exactly why we do this. We hope experiences like this inspire young people to explore robotics, engineering, and STEM, or at the very least help broaden their understanding of the many possibilities for their future.
Midway through the parade, our robot ran out of battery power. Without missing a beat, our students jumped in and pushed the bot the rest of the route. Their determination, teamwork, and good spirits perfectly captured what our team is all about: perseverance, problem-solving, and showing up for each other no matter what.
We’re grateful to be part of a community that celebrates innovation, creativity, and holiday joy—and we can’t wait to bring the parade bot back again next year.
Christmas Tree Decoration - Nov 24, 2025
|
On Monday, November 24, our Farragut Robotics students had the exciting opportunity to participate in the Holiday Tree Village at Ralph McGill Plaza. From 3:45 to 4:45 pm, our team joined community groups from across the area to help decorate the festive display of trees that will brighten Campbell Station Road throughout the holiday season.
This was our first year participating, and our students made sure our tree reflected the heart of robotics. They designed each ornament in CAD, then brought their ideas to life using our team’s 3D printers. The result was a collection of unique, student-engineered decorations—each one representing creativity, technical skill, and countless hours of learning and collaboration. Beyond adding holiday cheer to the plaza, the event offered our team a chance to connect with the community, showcase our students’ talents, and celebrate the hard work they’ve put into mastering engineering and design. We’re grateful to the Town of Farragut for hosting such a welcoming event, and we’re already excited for the opportunity to participate again next year! |
|
The Town of Farragut STEM Day - Nov 8, 2025
The community center hosted their first STEM event. Staff led activities including a marshmallow & spaghetti construction contest, outdoor volcanoes, and refreshments. Ten students and several mentors represented our 3140 Flagship, the only guest-presenting group. Flagship entertained the youngsters by demonstrating their competition robot and giving kids the chance to drive m-bots (small, remote-controlled robots) on a course they designed on the floor. M-bots might or might not have chased a few laughing children. Families were very engaged and enjoyed meeting other families as well as seeing our robots, talking with our high-school students, all the activities, and the beautiful day outdoors.
Trunk or Treat (for Special Needs kids) - Oct 26, 2025
This weekend marked our 5th year participating in Christ Covenant Church’s Trunk or Treat for the special needs community, one of our team’s favorite traditions. The joy on the kids’ faces as they fired the T-shirt cannon or received candy made every moment worthwhile. When the rain arrived halfway through, we didn’t let it stop the fun. We moved the robots under cover and kept passing out candy to the drive-through visitors.
We’re so grateful for this event that brings laughter, connection, and inclusion to a community that deserves every bit of it.
We’re so grateful for this event that brings laughter, connection, and inclusion to a community that deserves every bit of it.
Lions Club Car Show - Oct 4, 2025
For our 4th year in a row, we had a good time showing off our bots at the Lion's Club car show this year. We took the Flying Dutchmen (our 2025 competition bot) and used the T-shirt cannon to entertain children (mainly Cub Scouts) who were in attendance. Aside from enjoying good weather, we were provided lunch and snacks by the Lion's Club, plus a generous donation as they have funded us for several years now. We also talked with the Lion's Club about the possibility of doing a presentation at one of their meetings. We have done this at least once before and is really the best way to tell them about our team's focus and what students accomplish and benefit through the experience.
STEM Night - Sep 25, 2025 @ FPS/FIS
STEM Night was the Farragut Primary and Intermediate Schools' first and consisted of dozens of organizations and other schools displaying everything from Bush Beans to rocketry (HVA). Flagship were one of 5 display groups occupying the gym. We brought our 2025 competition robot (The Flying Dutchman) and two M-bots, a small robot that can be controlled from a cell phone. The event ran from 5-7 p.m. and when the clock hit 5, students and parents poured in. We ended up having two lines, one to operate the M0bots and another for the competition robot. Many parents and students were interested in what FIRST was all about and their possible future involvement with our team. When it was closing time, our lines were still long and we tried accommodate the last ones quickly. Our 4 team members present did an excellent job of managing the robots, students and questions. It was a great night and we look forward to when/if they do it again next year.
|
|
Robo-Rodeo
September 11-14, 2025
From September 11–14, our team competed at Robo-Rodeo at the Tennessee Valley Fair — a whirlwind of learning, teamwork, and excitement!We kicked off by sharing our love for FIRST Robotics at an outreach table, then spent the next 3 days fine-tuning our bots, troubleshooting challenges, and cheering each other on through the Qualification and Finals Rounds.
This off-season event is special because every member gets a chance to drive, giving rookies a true taste of competition. Our rookie bot even made it further in the finals than expected, while our veterans showed incredible skills and composure repairing a catastrophic failure in comp bot's elevator under pressure.
As one mentor noted, "Robo-Rodeo is such a great experience for our team. As a parent and mentor, it is a lot of fun watching the new exec team and veterans step into their roles more and lead the team through the ups and downs of a competition. Watching our more seasoned students lead the rookies in every aspect from pit work, to driving the robots, is a very fulfilling experience."
We may not have placed in the top 3, but we couldn't be prouder. The teamwork, perseverance, and gracious professionalism on display proved once again that it's about so much more than robots.
This off-season event is special because every member gets a chance to drive, giving rookies a true taste of competition. Our rookie bot even made it further in the finals than expected, while our veterans showed incredible skills and composure repairing a catastrophic failure in comp bot's elevator under pressure.
As one mentor noted, "Robo-Rodeo is such a great experience for our team. As a parent and mentor, it is a lot of fun watching the new exec team and veterans step into their roles more and lead the team through the ups and downs of a competition. Watching our more seasoned students lead the rookies in every aspect from pit work, to driving the robots, is a very fulfilling experience."
We may not have placed in the top 3, but we couldn't be prouder. The teamwork, perseverance, and gracious professionalism on display proved once again that it's about so much more than robots.
Participating teams group photo
|
Team Photo
|
Thursday and Friday, September 11 & 12, 2025
Outreach , Load-in, & Practice
Outreach , Load-in, & Practice
|
Saturday, September 13
Qualification Rounds |
Sunday, September 14
Finals |
|
|
|
Football Games
|
August 29, 2025
|
Homecoming - October 23, 2025
|
|
|
|
