Now it’s time to meet FIRST Robotics Competition team 1902, Exploding Bacon, a 4-H team from Orlando, FL! Exploding Bacon was founded in 2006 and exemplifies the FIRST ethic of #MoreThanRobots. Check out their story…
On or off the competition field, Exploding Bacon stands out from the crowd. Our bright green and orange robots, intriguing name, and iconic pig-on-the-rocket logo have gained recognition within the FIRST and local communities since our founding in 2006. Our memorable image has helped us to have a larger impact on the community to promote FIRST and STEM. Since 2014, we’ve made an impact through STEM summer camps and proactive community outreach.
Our students represent ten schools across Central Florida, plus homeschoolers and partner with our community to make an impact with more than 1,000 student volunteer hours per year, increasing STEM appreciation & FIRST participation in our communities.
We have cultivated a unique audience across traditional & social media to help change our world into one that celebrates STEM. In 2016, Bacon launched our #FIRSTLikeAGirl video campaign to showcase what young women are accomplishing on our team and throughout FIRST. Since then, we have seen girls and women from all over the world embrace the strength of girls impact and identity within FIRST by sharing their amazing stories. With our Spark Science Kits, we’ve impacted over 40 countries around the world, developing the next generation of problem solvers through hands-on science education.
Since 2010, we have been honored with three FIRST Championship awards: the 2017 Chairman’s Finalist Award, 2018 Gracious Professionalism Award, and 2013 Kamen Family Imagery Award; as well as six Regional Chairman’s Awards and two Engineering Inspiration Awards.
We are always excited to support FIRST in Florida throughout all levels by volunteering at tournaments and hosting our own workshops. This will be Exploding Bacon’s 4th year at ROBOTICON, and we know it will be a great event! Good luck to all the teams competing!
Some other fun facts about Exploding Bacon:
- Bacon loves to get together to watch Battlebots every week, especially when our alumni Jamison Go with SawBlaze plays.
- We started the #FIRSTLikeAGirl social media movement
- We have a new website directory FIRSTAlliances.org dedicated to helping all FIRST teams to be recognized for their achievements and to connect with one another. Sign up today!
- More than half of our students are homeschooled, and more than 60% have participated in FIRST LEGO League or FIRST Tech Challenge.
- Come visit Wilbur (our mascot) during ROBOTICON, in the pits or in the stands!
Shout-out to your sponsors: Thank you to all of our sponsors for supporting us through the past 13 seasons. Without you, we would not be able to afford a build space or robot. Oink Oink Boom!
Lockheed Martin, Magnus Hi-Tech, State of Florida, United Therapeutics, Comcast NBC Universal, BAE Systems, Best Buy, Disney VoluntEARS, Stage Equipment and Lighting, Cannon Law, Castle Ventures, Central Florida Chapter Fluid Power Society, Elise Cronin-Hurley Web & Graphic Design & Orange County 4-H, Florida
Come see Exploding Bacon and Wilbur at ROBOTICON September 29 & 30 at the Yuengling Center. It’s FREE! Join us and get inspired!
Click image to secure your free tickets to ROBOTICON!