Garrett Smithson, Lower School Science Chair, continues to build Tennessee’s robotics and STEM future through his recent election to the Board of the Volunteer State Robotics Foundation. The VSRF is a nonprofit organization “dedicated to advancing STEM education in Tennessee through the VEX robotics system.”

Smithson’s influence on robotics programs at MUS began shortly after he started teaching, primarily through his work with the Lower School team.

“When I started teaching at MUS in 2014, they had a robotics team that needed someone to run it, so I stepped in,” he recalled. Initially, the team worked with the First Lego League, which focused on Lego robotics, but after a few years, Smithson chose to adopt the VEX robotics platform due to its greater complexity and “nuts and bolts” approach akin to classic Erector sets.

The VSRF focuses on promoting robotics education, supporting both school and independent robotics teams, and hosting major statewide robotics events. Its most recent event, the 2025 Tennessee State VEX V5 Robotics Championship, included 42 schools and over 500 students from across Tennessee. Smithson’s role on the board involves promoting West Tennessee robotics programs, particularly alongside the St. George’s and Jackson Area Robotics teams, to help them compete with the more established programs from Central and East Tennessee.

For students interested in robotics at MUS, Smithson leads the VEX program for sixth through ninth graders. Meanwhile, Mr. Lee Loden leads the more advanced FTC program for 10th through 12th graders. Smithson will continue to host community competitions at MUS to further robotics education. The next middle school competition will be held on Nov. 1, while the next joint middle and high school competition is set for Feb. 21.

Through his leadership at MUS and on the VSRF Board, Smithson will continue to empower local Tennessee students to excel in robotics and STEM.