"Safety is the action of keeping safe (American College Dictionary). For Team 279 safety is not a noun, but a verb. Every member, student, mentors, and parent volunteers alike, are taught from the first day that safety is a verb, it is our action towards every situation. During the opening of every meeting team members volunteers to give a safety message for today. In doing so, the team gains valuable information about safety practices."
"Think. Act. Live. Safety F.I.R.S.T ."

- Ben & Tim   

"Gracious professionalism is acting with respect and not doing anything that you wouldn't want your grandma to see. Woodie Flowers, one of the founders of FIRST, invented gracious professionalism. Our team expresses gracious professionalism in many ways such as on the playing field, in the our community, and in our school. Everyone is encouraged to assist other teams, however possible, and just be respectable, responsible, gracious, and professional."

- Taylor   

"For Team 279 teamwork is an element of a competition that holds everything together. Virtually every aspect of our progress, from the initial planning and brainstorming to the competition, is dependent on teamwork. Students are constantly placed into situations where they must work together with other students, mentors, and coaches to reach a common goal. Without teamwork, Team 279 would be a huge loss for a singular cooperative force that holds everything together.."

- Will   

"Spirit is an important part of our team. Before we go to competition we make buttons to give out there. We even have a button machine. At competition we paint our fingernails Tech Fusion blue, even the guys have their fingernails blue. We also color our hair blue and some people will do it red. Nate dresses up as our mascot, with a cape and face paint."

- Susan   

"Team 279 has been in existence since the 1998-1999 FIRST season. We have had many successes throughout the years. The team has participated in the Championship eight out of ten years and won in 2001 with our alliance. The team was selected for Finals at the Great Lakes Regional from 2002-2007. We've also won numerous awards during the team's existence."

The awards we have won are:

• 2001
  Newton Nationals Champion
• 2003
  GM Industrial Design Award
• 2004
  Delphi "Driving Tomorrow's Technology"Award
  Regional Champion
  Curie Division Finalists
• 2005
  GM Industrial Design Award
  Safety Award
  Regional Champion
  Xerox Creativity Award
• 2006
  UL Industrial Safety Award
• 2008
  UL Industrial Safety Award
  
  

"Additionally, alliance teams have recognized our team as a spirited and enthusiastic partner. The team typically participates in two competitions in a season. This year, we're afraid that we only plan on attending the St. Louis Regional, unless we win 1st place and somehow scrounge up enough money to go to Championship."

- Team 279