Reboot Robotics Monthly Newsletter – November 2025 Edition
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A Message From the CEO
November has been a busy (as usual!) and exciting month for Reboot Robotics, and we are so grateful! Much of our energy has been focused on preparing our FIRST LEGO League team for their tournament on November 23rd. From refining their Innovation Project to fine-tuning code and mechanisms, our students have shown incredible dedication, teamwork, and perseverance. We couldn’t be prouder of their growth and determination this season.
We’ve also made wonderful progress in our fundraising efforts for the remainder of the fiscal year—now only about $1,500 away from being fully funded through April. And we’re thrilled to share that Reboot Robotics received a $500 grant from the Bolivar Area Community Foundation to support our STEM Labs! We are so grateful for this investment in hands-on STEM learning for local students.
Alongside competition season, we’ve already begun planning for next year. Preparations are underway for both our FLL and FTC programs, and updated team handbooks for the 2026–2027 season will be coming in the new year. Stay tuned!
We hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! With grateful hearts, we thank you for your continued support of our mission to inspire young engineers, thinkers, and innovators.
With gratitude,
Nicole Neeld
Founder & CEO, Reboot Robotics
Team Highlights
🟣 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) - Nuclear Space Potatoes
The Nuclear Space Potatoes had their first Meet on November 8th—and they had a pretty good day! Competing with their pre-designed starter robot, the team placed 4th overall, an impressive achievement for their season opener.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, they’ve been hard at work continuing to build and refine their student-designed competition robot. Their goal is to debut it at their January Meet if all goes to plan. In the meantime, they’re preparing for their next event on December 13th, sharpening strategy, improving design, and gaining experience with each team meeting.
🟢 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) - Space Taters
November was a milestone month for our rookie FLL team! The Space Taters attended their very first Scrimmage on November 8th, where they experienced what competition looks like, learned how matches run, and even had an encouraging conversation with a judge who offered wonderful guidance.
Then came the big day—their Tournament on November 23rd! It was an exciting, joy-filled day for the team, and their hard work truly shined. Although they placed 10th, this team showed exceptional growth and perseverance. Their Innovation Project was thoughtful and well-represented, they tackled their first-ever judge presentations, and they did their best on the robot field—making real-time code improvements throughout the day.
We are so proud of this team and all they accomplished in their debut season. Their curiosity, courage, and teamwork made this tournament a huge success in our eyes!
Upcoming Events
🎄 Bolivar Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 6
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Bolivar, MO
Details: Join us as Reboot Robotics rolls into the holiday spirit at the Bolivar Christmas Parade! Our students and volunteers will be participating in this festive community event, spreading cheer and sharing our love of STEM and robotics. Come wave, say hello, and celebrate the season with us—we’d love to see you along the parade route!
🎉 STEM Lab – Paper Circuits
Date: Monday, December 8
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Cost: $5 per participant
Location: 2801 W Broadway Street, Bolivar, MO
Details: Join us for our next Reboot Robotics STEM Lab! Students will explore the fun of hands-on STEM with our Paper Circuits activity, learning basic principles of electricity and circuitry by creating fun, working circuits on holiday themed cards using LED lights, copper tape, and batteries. Space is limited, so registration is required. To reserve your spot go to https://www.rebootrobotics.org/event-list. This is a great opportunity for all students to build, test, and learn in a fun, interactive environment!
🤖 FIRST Tech Challenge Meet
Date: Saturday, December 13
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Location: Kickapoo High School 3710 S Jefferson Ave Springfield, MO
Details: Our Nuclear Space Potatoes will be participating in their second Meet of the season! All FIRST events are free and open to the public—come cheer them on and see FTC robotics in action!
Spotlight Series
This month, we’re excited to highlight Eli, one of our FTC team members, for an amazing accomplishment outside of robotics! Eli, a talented drummer and percussionist, had the opportunity to participate in a world orchestra submission, recording the bass drum part for a performance of the Undertale Main Theme from the popular video game. 🎵🥁
You can see Eli at 4:16 in the video (bottom left corner) performing his part, and again at 7:27 with all the participants in the ensemble. Can you find him?
We love celebrating our students’ passions beyond robotics, whether it’s music, coding, or other creative endeavors. Eli’s dedication, skill, and willingness to contribute to a global collaboration highlight the many ways our students explore STEM and the arts. We’re incredibly proud of him for sharing his talents on such a large stage!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
We’re thrilled to recognize Mid-Missouri Bank as a Silver Level Sponsor! Their support helps provide our students with hands-on STEM experiences, mentorship, and access to the tools and resources they need to explore robotics and innovation. We’re proud to have Mid-Missouri Bank as part of the Reboot Robotics community and deeply appreciate their commitment to inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators.
Favorite Moments This Month
Tangram Puzzle Fun!
One of our favorite moments this month came from our latest STEM Lab, where we explored the world of Tangram puzzles. It was such a joy watching the kids — and the adults! — jump right into the challenge of completing the classic puzzle.
There were lots of laughs, plenty of “aha!” moments, and even a bit of friendly competition as everyone worked to fit the pieces together. After tackling the main puzzle, we let creativity take over and experimented with building new shapes and designs.
Seeing families problem-solve, collaborate, and stretch their creativity together made this STEM Lab extra special!
FLL’s First-Ever Tournament!
Our rookie FLL team had an amazing experience at their first Tournament on November 23rd! From presenting their Innovation Project to competing in robot matches, their hard work and determination shone through.
They placed 10th, but in our book, they’re winners for their growth, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout the season. We’re so proud of what they accomplished!
Support Reboot Robotics
We’re so proud of everything happening across our robotics teams and programs—so much learning, creativity, and problem-solving packed into every week! Thanks to the incredible support from our community, we’ve made strong progress toward covering our program costs for the rest of the fiscal year. We now have about $1,500 left to raise to remain fully funded through April.
Every gift, no matter the size, helps us provide meaningful STEM opportunities, hands-on robotics experiences, and mentorship for our students. Your generosity keeps our teams building, learning, and reaching new heights.
Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in the next generation of engineers and innovators!
Want to help us keep growing?
That’s a Wrap!
November has been full of learning, growth, and exciting milestones, and we’re looking ahead with just as much energy. We are now preparing for the Bolivar Christmas Parade, upcoming FTC competitions, and planning ways to continue improving both our students’ experience and Reboot Robotics as a whole for next year. With your continued support, we’re ready to finish the year strong and make the next season even better!
As always, we’d love to hear from you! Your feedback helps us grow, so feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, or questions.
Until next time, keep building, exploring, and dreaming big with us!
📧 Contact us: info@rebootrobotics.org
