"FIRST is more than robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect - of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future."

Dean Kamen​, Founder of FIRST

About Smart

Based in Sylva, North Carolina, the Smoky Mountain Academic Robotics Team (SMART) is a group of students passionate about learning, engineering, programming, marketing, and teamwork. We compete in FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), actively organize and engage in leadership roles and community service within and beyond robotics and STEM, and foster strong bonds within our team, mentors, and community. Together, we are SMART.

Where IS SMART?

Right now, we are in our Summer off-season. This Summer, we are hosting two STEM camps: one at Smoky Mountain High School for rising 9th-12th graders, and one at Southwestern Community College for rising 5th-8th graders. In addition, we are currently working on recruitment strategies for members, mentors, and sponsors for the upcoming 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition season. 

OUR GOAL

The goal of SMART FRC Team #6932 is to inspire students and mentors to become leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, no matter who they are or where they come from. We hope to recognize the potential in all our team members, help them find a way to shine, and give them the tools they need to reach their personal goals. In the meantime, we plan on having a lot of fun!

what we do

In the Classroom

Through SMART, team members build essential engineering, entrepreneurship, and teamwork skills in a fun and competitive environment. Members learn how to build, program, market, and above all, work as a team. We meet to not only work on our robot and accessories, but to talk to friends, learn about STEM, build teamwork skills, and learn how to be great people who can make an impact in our community.

In the Community

We want to give back to the community as they've given to us. We support our local FIRST teams in as many ways as we can. Our team members volunteer at tournaments for FIRST Lego League and mentor FIRST Lego League and FIRST Lego League Explore. teams. We also hold summer camps for elementary and middle school students using both our robot and FLL robots. Our robot has also been used at events such as Smoky Mountain High School's STEM night and Southwestern Community College's STEAM Fair to show students of all grade levels what STEM opportunities await them in high school. Other community events our team attends with our robot include Greening Up the Mountains and Dillsboro's Lights and Luminaries.

At the Competition

We love going to competitions and meeting other teams. We strive to make sure everyone has a good competition day by talking to other teams and making sure they know we are here to support them. We also work together in our pit to make sure the robot works and has an easy transition to and from the field and pit.​

2024 Team Video

About first

From FIRST's website: "The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership."
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Website: www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc
​The Competition: youtu.be/9keeDyFxzY4

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