Engineering the Future: How Moriarty High School’s Robotics Program Swept the State in Year One

In the high-stakes world of competitive robotics, seasoned teams often spend years—sometimes decades—climbing the ranks to achieve state-level dominance. But at Moriarty High School, the “A” in STEAM stands for more than just Arts; it stands for Acceleration. In just its first year of existence, Moriarty’s high school robotics program didn’t just compete; it swept the state championship, securing both the number one and number two seeds and earning a coveted spot on the global stage.

At the heart of this meteoric rise is George Smithson, a teacher whose path to the robotics lab was as unconventional as the machines his students build.

The Accidental Engineer

George Smithson is in his seventh year with the district, but only his second at the high school level. When he speaks about his background, he doesn’t lead with a degree in mechanical engineering or computer science.

“My undergrad is in forestry,” Smithson admits. “It’s a biological science. My masters is in education.”

Despite lacking a traditional engineering degree, Smithson was born into the world of “tinkering.” The son of an aerospace engineer, he grew up with a natural affinity for puzzles, building, and figuring out how the world works. When Moriarty opened up the high school program, Smithson—who had previously taught middle schoolers—jumped at the chance to bring that lifelong curiosity to older students.

The Power of Ownership

The success of Moriarty’s program isn’t just about the hardware; it’s about a philosophy of 100% student ownership. In Smithson’s lab, the teacher is a mentor, not a director.

“I am not allowed to make the decisions for the kids,” Smithson explains. “I can present options, I can point out problems, but they have 100% ownership. It’s really fun to watch. They usually pick the fifth option, which they just invented on the spot.”

This hands-on approach has yielded incredible results. In the VEX competition format—where robots are paired randomly in alliances—Moriarty’s two teams performed so well during the state qualifications that they held the top two ranks. When it came time for the elimination rounds, the number one seed (Moriarty) chose the number two seed (also Moriarty) as their partner. Together, they steamrolled the competition, proving that the district’s investment in the program was paying off.

“Girl Power” and the New Guard

As the program enters its second year, it is expanding rapidly. What started with two teams of mostly seniors has blossomed into three teams with a more diverse makeup. One of the most exciting developments is the birth of the “Y” team, also known as the “Girl Power” team.

When Smithson asked veteran student Jasmine if she’d like to captain a team, he gave her the option to pick anyone or form an all-female squad. “Without hesitation, she said, ‘I want a girls’ team,’” Smithson recalls.

This group of young female engineers designed, tested, and perfected their robot in just four weeks. They are part of a growing trend in the program where individual motivation trumps stereotypes. Smithson points to students like Kelly, a soccer player who sat down one afternoon and taught herself how to program the robot’s “autonomous” period—the first 15 seconds of a match where the machine must score points without any human input. Four hours later, she had the robot scoring consistently, a feat that became a cornerstone of her team’s success.

From Dallas to the World

The state sweep earned Moriarty a trip to the World Championships in Dallas last May. For a small school from New Mexico, the experience was transformative. Students found themselves competing against teams from Vietnam and England, standing shoulder to shoulder with the best young minds on the planet.

“Looking to my right and seeing the other team at my high school at this world championship was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” one student told Smithson. It was a moment of profound pride that solidified the program’s place in the school’s culture.

A Vision for New Mexico

Smithson isn’t content with just one state title. He has a five-year plan to turn New Mexico into a regional robotics powerhouse. While neighboring states like Texas and Arizona host “Signature Events”—massive tournaments that qualify winners directly for the World Championships—New Mexico has yet to host one. Smithson wants to change that.

“I’d like to bring one of those to New Mexico in the next five years,” he says. “Our state has a huge STEM history, but we get overlooked. I’d like Moriarty High School to be the first New Mexico team to win a world title.”

Part of that expansion includes diversifying into different types of competition. Next year, Moriarty will participate in “Vex Air,” a drone-based competition. The school is also hosting “Meki Mayhem” on February 21, a free, open-to-the-public combat robotics event (similar to BattleBots).

The Life Skills of the Lab

While many of Smithson’s graduates move on to prestigious engineering programs at New Mexico Tech or UNM, he believes the true value of robotics lies in “transferable skills.”

Whether the students go into steel production, biomedical engineering, or the family business, they leave the lab knowing how to document a process, test an idea, and work as part of a team.

“Built doesn’t mean done,” Smithson teaches his students. “Success comes from that harder work.”

As the drones begin to fly and the combat robots prepare for competition Moriarty High School is proving that with the right combination of student motivation and “accidental” engineering, a small-town school can take on the world.