Wildcat5e Robotics and the Pumpkin Patch That Powers Dunwoody’s Future Engineers
Who’s on the Mic in This What’s Up Dunwoody Episode?
This episode of the What’s Up Dunwoody podcast features two community voices behind Dunwoody High School’s award-winning robotics team: student leader Emmy Knight and parent volunteer Paige Holliman. Together with podcast host Matt Weber, they break down how Wildcat5e Robotics works, why their annual Pumpkin Patch matters, and how families around Mount Vernon Road can jump in this fall.
You’ll hear how the team designs and fields an industrial-sized competition robot, why off-season training matters, and how a very visible pumpkin lot at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church fuels STEM dreams for Dunwoody and Chamblee students.
What Is Wildcat5e and How Big Are These Robots, Really?
Wildcat5e is Team 6705 in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Every January, the team gets a brand-new game and just six weeks to design, build, and program a robot that can compete in arena-style matches. Students handle fundraising, branding, teamwork, CAD, programming, and fabrication under strict time and resource limits. It’s as close to real-world engineering as most teens can get, and the program spans more than 3,400 teams worldwide.
When Matt asks if these machines are small like TV battle bots, Emmy laughs – the 2025 weight limit was about 115 pounds. Their 2025 game, REEFSCAPE, had teams placing “coral” tubes at different heights and removing “algae” balls to score points. Wildcat5e’s robot, affectionately named Tripping Hazard, used an elevator system to lift game pieces to multiple levels of the reef. Each match has three teams working together, so teamwork and adaptability are key.
Curious about FRC basics and season milestones? The team’s About and Current Season pages explain the 2025 REEFSCAPE manual and Peachtree District schedule.
How Does a Dunwoody Robotics Season Actually Run?
Wildcat5e’s build season runs January through early spring. Students brainstorm, prototype, and iterate toward one competition robot, which then travels to two qualifying events. Rankings and alliance selections determine advancement to the Peachtree District Championship and potentially on to Worlds in Houston. In 2025, the team qualified for Districts for the first time in three years – a big win for a student-led program on a lean budget.
After April, they shift into off-season mode with recruiting, skills training, and smaller competitions like GRITS (Georgia Robotics Invitational Tournament and Showcase). Emmy calls GRITS the perfect place for rookies to test their skills in a low-pressure environment.
Why the Pumpkin Patch Is the Lifeblood of Wildcat5e
Building and fielding a competitive FRC robot is expensive. Paige estimates the team will spend nearly $50,000 in 2025 on parts, tools, and materials. If they qualify for Worlds, the entry fee alone exceeds $10,000 – which is exactly why the Pumpkin Patch exists. It’s the team’s signature annual fundraiser and a beloved fall tradition for Dunwoody families.
The Pumpkin Patch launches in early October and runs through Halloween at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church (1978 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody). It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is the fifth year of the fundraiser, and its prime location gives it unbeatable visibility right near Dunwoody Village.
What Can Families Expect at the Pumpkin Patch?
A truck drops more than 3,000 pumpkins of all sizes and colors. You’ll also find face painting, a craft station with sand art and stickers, yard games like giant Connect Four and Plinko, and the ever-popular bouncy house. Prices are family-friendly, and regulars often come back for round two. (If your family leaves with fewer than three pumpkins, you’re in the minority.)
These extras turn a quick errand into one of those “things to do in Dunwoody” moments – where parents linger, kids laugh, and everyone ends up learning a little about robotics.
Where Is the Wildcat5e Build Site?
This year, the team moved its build site to the basement of Saint Luke’s, right under the Pumpkin Patch. That makes outreach easy and gives curious visitors a peek into real engineering. During active meeting nights – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays – the public can stop in, see the robot in progress, and even let younger kids try driving a demo bot.
They also host Girl Scout troop events for STEM badges, a proven way to inspire girls to explore mechanical, electrical, and software roles.
Who Leads Wildcat5e and How Can Students Plug In?
Wildcat5e runs entirely with student leadership. In 2025, leadership includes co-presidents, tech leads (mechanical, programming, electrical), and a business lead who manages outreach and sponsorships. With around 25 members and eight seniors, the team prioritizes freshman recruitment so that knowledge transfers every year.
New to robotics? Just stop by a meeting or say hello at the Pumpkin Patch – new members are always welcome.
How Wildcat5e Builds Future Engineers for Dunwoody
FIRST calls itself the “Varsity Sport for the Mind.” Students learn engineering, teamwork, CAD, wiring, and communication – all under tight deadlines. Wildcat5e has earned awards for safety, quality, and engineering excellence, plus a fun cameo in Nickelodeon’s Fantasy Football.
For families moving to Dunwoody or nearby, programs like this show why investing here makes sense. It’s hands-on learning with real-world impact.
The Local Vibe: Where Robotics Meets Saturday Errands
Saint Luke’s sits in the heart of Dunwoody, near Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Village, and Brook Run Park. On a crisp October Saturday, grab coffee, hit youth soccer, swing by the Pumpkin Patch for a few warty gourds, and then enjoy lunch at one of Dunwoody’s top restaurants. Emmy and Paige will probably be there, chatting with families and inviting them downstairs to see the robot in progress.
Families in neighborhoods like Dunwoody North and Redfield often make the Pumpkin Patch part of their weekend circuit, building bonds through seasonal tradition and STEM curiosity.
Sponsorships and Community Partners
While pumpkins are the heartbeat, sponsors keep the program running. Local families and businesses support Wildcat5e through tiered sponsorships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze). In return, they get logos on the robot cart, social media shoutouts, and visibility that ties them to one of Dunwoody’s most inspiring youth programs.
Quick FAQ for Families
Ages: Elementary through high school – everyone’s welcome.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Halloween.
Location: Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mount Vernon Road.
Volunteers: Always needed! Parents and neighbors can help staff the patch.
Contact: Visit wildcat5e.com for contact info and sponsor options.
Wildcat5e’s Impact on Students and the Community
Students leave this program more confident, articulate, and ready for college or careers. Emmy, for instance, speaks like a pro – something that comes from leading under pressure. These soft skills mirror what Dunwoody REALTOR Matt Weber sees in real-world teamwork: communication, planning, and adaptability.
For parents moving to Dunwoody, that’s another reason the community stands out. Robotics is just one of many ways local schools invest in future-ready students.
Connecting the Dots for New and Longtime Residents
Programs like Wildcat5e make Dunwoody more than just a zip code – they make it a community. From STEM nights at Dunwoody High to weekend robotics meetups, kids see older students tackling real-world problems and are inspired to join in.
If you’re house hunting, Dunwoody REALTOR Matt Weber can help you find homes near schools, parks, and local hubs like Saint Luke’s. The neighborhood feel is just as important as the square footage. It’s one more reason families relocating to Dunwoody choose to stay.
Where to Learn More
Visit wildcat5e.com for updates, photos, leadership details, and sponsor info. Or just swing by the Pumpkin Patch and say hi to Paige – she’ll likely be smiling, selling pumpkins, and recruiting next year’s volunteers.