About
Spectrum 3847
St. Agnes Academy and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory united in 2011 to build an FRC robotics program dedicated to open-source innovation.
Our Origin Story: From BEST Rivals to FRC Unity
Section titled “Our Origin Story: From BEST Rivals to FRC Unity”Spectrum grew out of a shared passion and a high dose of determination. Originally competing as cross-parking-lot rivals in the BEST Robotics competition, our founding members represented St. Agnes Academy (an all-girls school) and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (an all-boys school).
After three years of competing head-to-head, students from both campuses came together around a new ambition: launching a joint FIRST Robotics Competition team.
Combining two separate school programs across the driveway was a massive endeavor. However, both teams recognized that joining forces would create an organization far stronger, more diverse, and more capable than either school could build alone. Setting rivalry aside, students secured sponsor support and administration approval—leading to a breakout inaugural FRC season where the team earned both the Highest Rookie Seed and the Rookie Inspiration Award.
Our Mission
Section titled “Our Mission”Spectrum’s mission is to create and cultivate opportunities in which students are able to grow mentally and realize their true potential. Our students develop life skills through the promotion of premier qualities, such as amity, volunteerism, dedication, and ebullience. As an engineering team, we believe that every team member has a special place in the process and creation of our robots. We endorse team unity and bonding through integrity, confidence, and chivalry. Our team deepens the bonds between students by allowing them to interact in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes an exploration of ingenuity. We hope to facilitate a love of individuality through the appreciation of the students’ varying abilities and qualities.
What We Do
Section titled “What We Do”- Promote the growth of our team members into exceptional people.
- Design, develop, and build robots for high school robotics competitions (FRC and VRC).
- Develop useful skills in the areas of problem solving, creativity, cooperation, communication, manufacturing abilities, programming, and media creation.
- Promote continued education and create opportunities for students to obtain scholarships and internships.
- Support the growth and development of engineering and technology programs in our local community and schools.
- Collaborate with other schools and organizations to better support the development and growth of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs.
- Strengthen our community by volunteering with local non-profit organizations.
Photon 8515: Our Development Team
Section titled “Photon 8515: Our Development Team”
Photon 8515 Sibling FRC Program
Photon is Spectrum’s official development and sibling FRC team, designed to accelerate student growth by giving first-year and developing members hands-on experience in CAD design, mechanical fabrication, and programming. Members build their own custom robot and rotate drive-team roles across two district events each season, gaining early leadership experience before uniting with 3847 for playoff matches and championship play.
Learn more about Photon 8515 →Our Lab
Section titled “Our Lab”Our Founding Schools
Section titled “Our Founding Schools”Spectrum operates across both campuses on Bellaire Boulevard in Houston, leveraging the unique facilities, faculty support, and student talent of two premier college preparatory schools.
St. Agnes Academy
Founded 1905 · All-Girls High School
Strake Jesuit College Prep
Founded 1960 · All-Boys High SchoolBefore Spectrum: Our Heritage (1996–2011)
Section titled “Before Spectrum: Our Heritage (1996–2011)”Both school engineering programs built a rich legacy of mechanical design and competition before our 2011 FRC debut:
- St. Agnes Engineering (1996–2011): Founded in 1996, competing in the National Engineering Design Challenge (1996), Texas Experimental Aeronautics Solution (1997), Texas Engineering Challenge (1998–2000), and BEST Robotics (2001–2011).
- Strake Jesuit Engineering (2007–2011): Founded in 2007, quickly establishing a strong presence in BEST Robotics (2008–2011), Junior Engineering Technical Society / JETS (2009), and VEX Robotics (2010–2011).
Spectrum is open to all students at St. Agnes Academy and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.