Welcome to S.P.A.M. Robotics!

Our Mission Statement

To inspire high school students to be tomorrow’s science, technology, and engineering leaders by engaging them today in a mentor-based program where we design, fabricate, build, program, and test a robot for the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC), whereby gaining essential skills needed to be successful in a professional workplace.

More Than Robots – Building the Future of STEM

Founded in the 1997-1998 season, FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 180 S.P.A.M. (Speed, Power, and Maneuverability) has been a driving force in robotics and STEM education for over 27 years. What started in a small garage has grown into a 6,500-square-foot STEM facility at the Martin County School District, made possible by the passion and dedication of our students, mentors, and community partners.

But S.P.A.M. is more than just a robotics team—it’s a community of innovators. Each year, high school students from Martin County, FL, collaborate with STEM professionals, educators, and business leaders to design, build, program, all within a six-week build season, and compete in the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC).

From our state-of-the-art S.P.A.M. Robotics STEM Center, we are inspiring and equipping the next generation of STEM leaders to push boundaries and shape the future.

About Our Journey

What Parents Say

Building Futures: A Parent’s Perspective on S.P.A.M.’s Impact

“As a parent, I’ve watched all three of my sons thrive in S.P.A.M. Robotics, a program that is truly about building futures, not just robots. My two alumni sons turned their S.P.A.M. experiences into incredible STEM careers: one graduated high school with a $20,000 FPL scholarship, a unique opportunity for FIRST students in Florida, and graduates in May from Georgia Tech with a Biomedical Engineering degree, while the other is pursuing a Cyber Security degree. S.P.A.M. equips students with problem-solving, leadership, and technical skills that last a lifetime, and I’m beyond grateful for the doors it has opened for my family.”

— Elizabeth Marini, S.P.A.M. Robotics Parent

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Inspiring the Next Generation in Martin County

S.P.A.M. Robotics is dedicated to spreading STEM passion throughout Martin County by:

🚀 Hosting LEGO® Robotics Camps & FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) Tournaments, including Florida’s largest FLL tournament.

💡 Expanding STEM outreach to local schools, ensuring every Martin County School District has a FIRST® team.

🤝 Embodying “Gracious Professionalism”, a core FIRST value, by mentoring and supporting teams in competitions and beyond.

🎤 Engaging in public STEM demonstrations, inspiring thousands of students and families each year.

Our program is about more than just building robots, it’s about building futures.

A Legacy of Excellence

S.P.A.M. is one of Florida’s premier robotics teams, with a 27-year legacy of excellence:

⏳ 27 Years Strong – Among the longest-running FRC teams worldwide.

🏆 2012 FIRST Robotics World Champions – Triumphing over industry giants.

🏅 50+ Awards – Consistently ranked among Florida’s and the nation’s top teams.

🎈 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Lead Team – Representing FIRST on a national stage.

⚙️ Regional, National & International Honors – Celebrated for innovation, teamwork, and STEM outreach.

🏆 2024 South Florida & Tallahassee Regional Wins – Ranking in the top 1% globally.

🏅 5 Dean’s List Finalists & 1 Championship Winner – Recognizing outstanding leadership.

🤖 Community Leaders – Hosting LEGO® Robotics Camps, tournaments, and 56+ STEM demos annually.

Our impact extends far beyond competitions: 100% of alumni pursue higher education, many thriving in STEM careers at NASA, Disney, and Google, with $15,000 in scholarships awarded since 2020.

A Place for Everyone

S.P.A.M. Robotics embraces all interests, offering sub-teams in CAD, programming, machining, marketing, outreach, and more. We’ve doubled female participation, fostering inclusivity through game nights, fundraisers, and welcoming team culture.

Students develop teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills, embodying FIRST’s core values to prepare for success in any career.

Join Our Legacy

From our 2012 World Championship victory to our 2025 Orlando and South Florida wins, S.P.A.M. continues to shape the future of STEM. Explore our journey by visiting Our Story, become part of our team by heading to Join S.P.A.M., support us through Sponsors, or reach out via email frcteam180@gmail.com. Stay connected and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok!