Smithtown Robotics on a roll!
Over the past several months, the Smithtown Robotics Team has demonstrated remarkable leadership, mentorship, and commitment to expanding STEM opportunities both within the district and across the globe!
Most recently was the team’s third annual G.I.R.L.S. Night (Girls Inspiring Robotics and Leadership in Smithtown)—a powerful evening designed to encourage and empower female students in grades 6–12. Through panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and networking with engineers, educators, alumni, and robotics team members, attendees explored STEM careers, heard stories of perseverance, and built confidence in their own potential. The event strengthened the district’s STEM community and inspired a new generation of young women to pursue their interests in technology and engineering.
The team also put their technical skills to the test at the Half Hollow Hills Invitational, an off-season event modeled after the official FIRST Robotics Competition. With new drivers—former JV members stepping into varsity roles—the team performed extremely well, advancing to the quarterfinals and gaining valuable experience as they prepare for the upcoming competition season.
The Smithtown Robotics Team has even extended their impact internationally by mentoring a robotics team from Botswana as they prepared for the FIRST Global Challenge, an Olympics-style international robotics competition held this year in Panama City, Panama. Meeting weekly since August, SCSD students shared design strategies, provided engineering feedback, and supported the team through challenges such as limited electricity, internet constraints, time zone differences, and language barriers. Their combined perseverance paid off as Team Botswana traveled to Panama and competed with great success.
Together, these three initiatives highlight the Robotics Team’s dedication not only to engineering excellence, but also to mentorship, global collaboration, and the advancement of inclusive STEM education. Under the guidance of advisors Dave Savage and Brian Sheridan, and CTE Director Christine LoFrese, the team continues to model leadership, innovation, and community impact.