With the 2025-2026 school year in full swing, the Mech Tech Dragons are already hard at work preparing for their upcoming events. Last year’s team left a lasting legacy. Out of 3,693 teams, they ranked 14th overall and even set the all-time district points record, a milestone that marked the most points ever earned in a single year. Off the field, the Dragons organized several outreach events, including a four-day summer camp in partnership with the Autism Society of Central Virginia, where they introduced students of all abilities to LEGO Robotics. They also ran weekly strategy sessions where various teams could meet over Zoom to learn new ways to strengthen their competition tactics.

Their competitive run was just as impressive, as the Dragons captured both their regional and district events as alliance captains. On top of it all, they won the most prestigious award at a district level, the Impact Award. This award recognizes a team’s lasting influence on their community and the future of STEM. These accomplishments propelled the Dragons to the World Championships, where they finished as a division finalist and closed the season with a total of 5 banners, the signature trophy of FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). 

This momentum was carried into the offseason, as the Dragons competed in the Indiana Regional Invitational, advancing to finals where they competed neck and neck against world renowned teams and broke the world record with a score of 325 points in a match. Now, this year's team is ready for the Chesapeake Regional Icebreaker on September 27, which will serve as valuable practice in preparation for the 2026 season. 

The robotics team encourages all students who may be interested in STEM, engineering, community outreach, or business and advocacy to attend their Friday meetings. There’s truly a place for everyone on this team, no matter their interests. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn more about the team, explore different subteams, and gain practice through hands-on learning. Additionally, many events count toward off-campus community service hours. The team urges students to bring their friends and explore the world of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the international organization that combines competition with community impact.