The fifth annual FIRST Robotics Competition Smoky Mountain Regional, sponsored in part by the College of Engineering, was held April 2–4, and was featured by several media outlets. WATE interviewed L. J. Robinson, regional director of For Innovation and Recognition of Science and Technology, and Masood Parang, engineering professor and associate dean for academic and student affairs. WBIR focused on the Hardin Valley Academy robotics team, while Oak Ridge Today focused on the Secret City Wildbots.