Team 1980 has its beginnings with another FIRST Team, Team 1719. Team 1719 started as a joint effort between the Park School of Baltimore and the Science and Mathematics Academy of Aberdeen High School for the 2005-2006 season. After a successful rookie year, including a trip to the FIRST World Championship in Atlanta, Team 1719 split in two. Team 1980 of the Science and Mathematics Academy of Aberdeen High School was then formed. Mentors came from Black and Decker and the local military base, Aberdeen Proving Ground. Team 1980 was also fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and resources from countless other sponsors.

Team 1980 participated in the 2005-2006 season at the Chesapeake Regional. With the help of Ron Karpinski, we also participated at the Duel on the Delaware.

Team 1980 participated in the 2006-2007 season, competing at the Chesapeake Regional and visiting the Duel on the Delaware. Team 1980 participated in the 2007-2008 season, competing at the Chespeake Regional, Trenton Regional, the Play Day Scrimage, and the Duel on the Delaware. We were finalists at the Trenton Regional. Team 1980 recieved Best Website Award at the Chesapeake Regional. In the Duel on the Delaware competition, Team 1980 made it to the elimination rounds.

Today, Team 1980 has more students and more resources than the previous year. Because of this growth, Team 1980 plans on attending both the Trenton Regional, the Chesapeake Regional, the Play Day Scrimage, and the Duel on the Delaware. Team 1980 plans on expanding in the years to come and hopes to become a brighter beacon for the message of FIRST.