Where Pigs Fly
Our team has been thriving and growing since it’s inception in 2006. At the first meeting that year there was a total of six kids and three adult mentors for the team. By kickoff, which was only the second meeting, the team had grown to ten kids from four different schools, and roughly six adult mentors. Since then the team has grown, winning more than 50 awards in the past 13 seasons and qualifying for the world championship every year but once.
But, just like FIRST, Exploding Bacon isn’t just about building robots. This team is about building people. Our students learn skills that not only will help them compete, but will prepare them to go out into the world. Students can gain skills such as programming, design, CAD (Computer Aided Design), and public speaking. In addition to what the students learn, they participate in a wide range of community outreach projects from educational robotic demonstration events to helping those in need. Please check out the impressive and consistent history of impacting our community.
Age Level: High School students
Link to FIRST: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc
Season: Year-Round
2019 Season Registration: Opens July/August 2018
Registration and Student Info
Our FIRST Robotics Competition Lead:
Elise Cronin-Hurley, Email
Where we’ve competed:
- FIRST World Championship: 2006-2010 and 2012-2019
- Orlando Regional: 2006-2019
- Palmetto Regional (South Carolina): 2011, 2019
- South Florida Regional: 2012-2014, 2018
- Bayou Regional: 2008 and 2017
- ROBOTICON: 2015-2017
- Inaugural Rocket City Regional (Alabama): 2016
- Panther Prowl: 2012-2016
- Inaugural Georgia Southern Classic Regional: 2015
- Indiana Robotics Invitational: 2007-2013
- Tempest -N- Tampa: 2007-2009 and 2011
- North Carolina Regional: 2010
- Connecticut Regional: 2009
- Mission Mayhem (Ft. Lauderdale): 2006-2008
- Las Vegas Regional: 2007
- Lone Star Regional (Houston): 2006
Where we’re going in 2019:
Palmetto Regional: February 27th – March 2nd
Orlando Regional: March 13th – 16th
FIRST World Championship (Houston): April 17th – 20th; George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
See our competition results on our awards page!