ROSSLYN, Va., October 9, 2013 — The National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s (NEMA) Arc Welding Section announces its $5,000 donation to the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation in support of increasing student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable, and affordable curriculum-based VEX Robotics engineering programs.
The donation will be in the form of two new team grants and an event partner support grant for high school teams and partners participating in the VEX Robotics Competition, a global curriculum-based robotics program and competition supported and delivered through the REC Foundation.
“STEM programs like VEX provide valuable skills and give students the hands-on experience that allows them to excel in technical careers like arc welding,” said NEMA Arc Welding Chairman Bruce Albrecht.
“Partnerships with organizations like NEMA are critical to the continued success of the VEX Robotics Competition. Through these partnerships, students see how their exposure to STEM skills and experience in robotics translates into real-world application across a variety of industries,” said Jason Morrella, president of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation.
In order for new teams of students to compete in the VEX Robotics Competition, they often need support for annual registration, event competitions, and VEX Robotics Competition kits. The grant funded by NEMA’s donation gives students access to all they need to get started. The team grants will provide technical high schools a VEX Robotics Classroom and Competition Super Kit, which includes everything needed to design, build, power and operate a competition robot. The REC Foundation partners with a number of organizations to run sustainable events and the event partner support grant will provide one such partner all the materials they need to host a local VEX Robotics Competition.
The NEMA Arc Welding Section values the development and investment in students interested in STEM.
NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Its 400-plus member companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical diagnostic imaging systems. Total U.S. shipments for electroindustry products exceeds $100 billion annually.
About the REC Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work. More information about the REC Foundation is available at www.recf.org.
ROCKWALL, Texas – July 2, 2013 – Students from L.V. Berkner High School, Team 136S, from Richardson, Texas secured top honors with the overall Excellence Award and the Tournament Champion Award for the High School Division, meanwhile students from Holman Middle School, Team 6740A, from Glen Allen, Virginia were recognized with the overall Excellence Award for the Middle School Division at the Technology Student Association (TSA) National VEX Robotics Competition that took place in Orlando, Florida.
The students took part in three full days of competition with more than 100 teams participating from across the United States in conjunction with the 2013 National TSA Conference. The action-packed competition schedule required middle and high school students to execute VEX Sack Attack, a game that is played on a 12’x12’ square field. Teams compete in matches consisting of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play plus individual program skills and robot skills challenges. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by scoring sacks in red and blue troughs, earning bonus points and doubling or negating goals.
“It’s wonderful to see the overall excitement, commitment to teamwork and robotics engineering design that the students displayed at the National TSA Conference,” said Jason Morrella, president of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation. “The Technology Student Association has been a true partner in advancing STEM education with incredible robotics engineering and competition opportunities to students in their program and we are grateful for their continued support.”
To prepare for the competition, the groups worked together to design and build a robot using the VEX Robotics Design System, that could quickly and efficiently solve specific obstacles and challenges that come with playing the 2013/2014 game, VEX Sack Attack.
Each week, students apply what they’ve learned about science, technology, engineering and math in order to build the semiautonomous machines. An equally important set of skills is learned through the competition – design, communication, project management, teamwork, and the importance of composure, as students learn to deal with adversity in maximizing the design and performance of their robots wins and losses.
While Team 136S and Team 6740A won the event overall, many other teams also received awards. Award winners included:
| Middle School Tournament Champions: | Team 4377B, Purcell Junior High School, OK | High School Tournament Champions: | Team 136S, L.V. Berkner High School, TX |
| Middle School Robot Skills Award: | Team 4377B, Purcell Junior High School, OK | High School Robot Skills Award: | Team 2131A, Davis High School, UT |
| Middle School Programming Skills Award: | Team 4377B, Purcell Junior High School, OK | High School Programming Skills Award: | Team 2131A, Davis High School, UT |
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation is pleased to organize and offer more than 400 VEX Robotics Competition events annually to reach well over 7,300 teams during the 2012-2013 season, which experienced 51% team growth year over year.
The TSA National VEX Robotics Competition is one of a series of VEX Robotics Competitions taking place internationally throughout the year. VEX Robotics is the world’s fastest growing competitive robotics program for middle schools, high schools and colleges around the world, with more than 7,300 teams from 26 countries that participate in more than 400 VEX Robotics Competition events worldwide.
More information about The REC Foundation and VEX Robotics Competitions is available at robocticseducation.org and RobotEvents.com.
About the REC Foundation
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, supports robotics and technology events and programs that aim to inspire and motivate students to advance in STEM education. In addition to operating and supporting competitions for some of the world’s leading robotics platforms and organizations including VEX, TSA and BEST Robotics Competitions, the Foundation also provides program support and workshops focused on technology and professional development for educators – including the RobotEvents.com community portal website which helps promote multiple high quality programs and provides online registration and event pages for hundreds of events around the world.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – August 13, 2013 – The Northrop Grumman Foundation and the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation today announced that the Northrop Grumman Foundation will be the presenting sponsor of the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship in 2014 and 2015. This intense three-day annual robotics-engineering tournament will attract more than 800 teams and 15,000 students from over 25 countries to celebrate their accomplishments and further inspire their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“The Northrop Grumman Foundation recognizes the importance of hands-on, sustainable and affordable robotics engineering programs to increase student interest in the STEM fields and we greatly appreciate their increased support of the VEX Robotics Competition,” said Jason Morrella, president, REC Foundation. “In addition, the Anaheim Convention Center has been a true partner in accommodating our growth and we look forward to two more years at this fantastic venue.”
“VEX Robotics is a tremendous program that creates great learning, team work and fun while exciting young minds in STEM,” said Sandra Evers-Manly, president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. “As a global company, we are eager to support the expansion of VEX Robotics so more students worldwide have the opportunity to gain insight into the excitement of STEM and STEM careers and participate in this fun, yet challenging program.”
The newly expanded partnership with the Northrop Grumman Foundation will uniquely position the REC Foundation to respond to growing demand in communities in the U.S. and around the world with support for operational growth, competition events and new team grants.
“The Anaheim Convention Center is the ideal location for the 2015 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of the world's best and brightest young minds to Anaheim," said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. "There are many ways to impact current and future generations, and these young men and women are to be commended for their vision and dedication to excellence.”
The REC Foundation manages the VEX Robotics Competition, which provides student teams worldwide with hands-on, curriculum-based robotics engineering programs while also providing valuable teamwork and problem-solving experience. Teams compete year-round at more than 400 events that culminate in April at the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship.
The VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) is the largest middle and high school robotics program in the world with more than 7,300 teams in all 50 states and more than 25 countries. The VRC World Championship will include the introduction of VEX IQ, a new elementary robotics platform and competition, which combined with VEX U college and university level of competition, will enable students of all ages to have an opportunity to participate in robotics engineering concepts and advance their STEM knowledge. To learn more about the REC Foundation, please visit www.RoboticsEducation.org or to locate a competition event, please visit www.RobotEvents.com.
About the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry and the nonprofit community to achieve this work.
About Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation
Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are committed to expanding and enhancing the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM students globally. They provide funding to STEM programs that span from preschool to high school and through collegiate levels, with a major emphasis on middle school students and teachers. Northrop Grumman employees actively volunteer in support of many STEM organizations in their communities and internationally. In 2012, Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation continued outreach efforts by contributing approximately $22.8 million to diverse STEM-related groups such as the Air Force Association (CyberPatriot), Conservation International (ECO Classroom), the REC Foundation (VEX Robotics) and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.
The Northrop Grumman Foundation supports diverse and sustainable programs for students and teachers. These programs create innovative education experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Rockwall, Texas – June 17, 2013 – The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and the Texas Workforce Commission today announced a partnership to support growth and development of 400 new and 100 existing VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) high school teams to engage approximately 5,000 students both in public school and home school settings. In addition, the grant will fund a new VRC Texas Online Challenge, a VEX Robotics Competition Mobile Event Trailer, and seek to enhance the community of REC Foundation volunteers in Texas.
“The REC Foundation is grateful to the Texas Workforce Commission for providing students in Texas access to an affordable, sustainable, and curriculum-based robotics engineering program in the VEX Robotics Competition,” said Jason Morrella, President, REC Foundation. “We share the Texas Workforce Commission’s interest in providing more students access to high quality science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs that will impact their future college and career aspirations, encouraging them to pursue these fields.”
“It is important to inspire the future workforce to become innovators in science and technology,” Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar said. “This competition encourages students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math endeavors that help them acquire skills for high-demand occupations.”
The VEX Robotics Competition, presented by the REC Foundation, experienced an incredible 51% growth in teams during the 2012-2013 season, expanding to include over 7,300 middle school and high school teams. The Texas Workforce Commission grant will uniquely position the REC Foundation to respond to interest among Texas students and provide competition opportunities in San Antonio, Killeen (Fort Hood), Katy, Houston, Austin and rural and underserved communities in other areas of the state. The new VRC Mobile Event trailer will enable the REC Foundation to take the competition to where the students are, eliminating costly travel and time away from home or out of school.
The REC Foundation manages the VEX Robotics Competition, which provides students and teams worldwide with hands-on, curriculum-based robotics engineering programs while also engaging them in valuable teamwork and problem-solving experience. Teams compete year-round at more than 400 events which culminate in April at the annual VEX Robotics Competition World Championship.
VEX Robotics is the largest co-curricular middle and high school robotics program and is expected to reach more than 100,000 students during the 2013-2014 season. To learn more about the REC Foundation, please visit www.RoboticsEducation.org.
About the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work.
About the Texas Workforce Commission
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.
CHANDLER, Ariz., May 2, 2013 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions announced support of several VEX® robotics tournaments in Arizona, providing opportunities for teams who were able to qualify for the 2013 VEX Robotics World Championship, which was held April 18-20, 2013 in Anaheim, CA presented by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation.
The challenge, VEX “Sack Attack” pitted team alliances against each other to score points by dumping as many sacks into their alliance troughs during a two minute match. As a result of Microchip sponsorship grants, 20 rookie teams were created in Arizona in 2013 and two new playing fields were donated, allowing more events and more teams to participate. More than 700 teams from 24 countries and 15,000 students competed in Anaheim and teams from Cave Creek, Arizona, took home awards in the “Create” and the Autodesk Design Award categories.
Steve Sanghi, President and CEO of Microchip Technology Inc., was inducted into the STEM Heroes Hall of Fame for his work in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math throughout the years with his involvement with various robotics programs, including VEX, FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the Microchip Academic Program. “I am honored to be included among this esteemed group of individuals who recognize that it is our responsibility to prepare the next generation of engineers, innovators and scientists so they can define new technology to create a stronger economy through education,” said Steve Sanghi, upon receiving this accolade. VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation also announced a new program at the World Championship event, VEX IQ and the VEX IQ Challenge, will bring robotics to the elementary school level. This makes VEX available to students in elementary school through college.
Microchip, in conjunction with the REC Foundation is expanding its support for 2013-2014 with an additional 20 grants that will be offered to rookie VEX teams in Arizona. Additionally, Microchip will equip a portable VEX playing field system housed in a trailer that can be loaned out to Arizona teams who want to host scrimmages or qualifying tournaments in Arizona. Two playing fields, electronics, and all gaming pieces will be included, allowing teams to put on their own VEX Robotics Competition events.
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website.
About the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry and the nonprofit community to achieve this work.
###
Note: The Microchip name and logo is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A., and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.
ROCKWALL, Texas, April 22, 2013 – Over the weekend, more than 15,000 student participants, educators, mentors, industry leaders and community members from 24 countries descended upon the Anaheim Convention Center to celebrate the accomplishments of 700 of the world’s best student-run VEX Robotics Competition teams, as they went head to head with their custom-built and programmed robots at the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. Teams from China, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States reigned supreme, taking home the coveted Winning Alliance trophies for the Middle School World Championship, the High School World Championship, and the College World Championship competitions. Additionally, VEX IQ, a new line of educational robotics products, and the VEX IQ Challenge, the pilot competition program, were introduced to the world at the event by VEX Robotics, with nearly 70 elementary and middle school teams piloting the new program.
“The teams that qualify to compete in this championship attend with tremendous passion, and this weekend is really about celebrating their accomplishments along with the knowledge and experience they have gained as a result of their participation in the VEX Robotics Competition,” said Jason Morrella, president of the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation. “Competitive robotics programs like the VEX Robotics Competition, provide an excellent opportunity for hands-on STEM learning that will make these students unstoppable in any career path they choose. These students are the leaders of their generation and we expect to see great achievements from them in the future,” concluded Morrella.
The global championship kicked-off on Wednesday and Thursday with initial qualification matches and skills challenges. On Friday morning, thousands of young engineers filed into the VEX Dome to participate in the opening ceremonies parade of nations, where each team proudly bore their respective countries’ brilliant flags. Following the parade, teams quickly transitioned to an afternoon full of intense back-to-back qualification matches. By Saturday, qualification rounds came to an end, the top performing teams went through the alliance selection process, and the division champion alliances collaborated to advance over their toughest competition yet in the finals. Entertainment attractions including the UCLA marching band and Light Force – an explosive hi-tech rhythmic drumming troupe, elevated the evening during the final competitions, guiding teams and spectators through the award ceremonies.
Altogether, more than 700 VEX teams out of more than 7,300 teams worldwide qualified to compete in one of four challenges hosted by the REC Foundation this past weekend. The competitions included: VEX IQ Challenge World Championship (ages 8-14 year olds), VRC Middle School World Championship (ages 11-14), VRC High School World Championship (ages 15-18) and the VEX U (ages18+).
The 2013 VEX Robotics World Championship Alliance Winners are as follows:
“My team and I have been tweaking our robot since this time last year, trying to perfect and execute it as efficiently as possible and drive up our score against some of our toughest competitors,” said Jason McKinney from Team 2625, Tech-Know Commandos, part of the VEX Robotics High School Championship Winning Alliance from Worcester Technical High School in Worcester, Mass. “VEX has helped me realize my true potential and see exactly what we are able to accomplish as a team if we put all our effort into a common goal. I am absolutely overwhelmed with joy and exhaustion,” continued Jason.
Team 5225A, the E-Bots Pilons, from Oakville, Ontario, Canada, was presented with the overall VRC World Championship Excellence Award, the highest honor in the VEX Robotics Competition, given to the team with the most well-rounded VEX Robotics program. Team NAR, North American Robotics, from Philadelphia, Pa. was presented with the VEX U World Championship Excellence Award. Team 37, Rocky Mountain πrates, from Friends School, in Boulder, Colo. received the VEX IQ Challenge Elementary School Excellence Award. Team 30, Gears and Geeks, from Newhart Middle School, in Mission Viejo, Calif. received the VEX IQ Challenge Middle School Excellence Award.
Several other technical and value-based awards were presented to teams throughout the event. Below is a list of the teams and individuals that were recognized for excelling in some of the top categories. For a complete list of award winners, including winners of the online challenges, visit http://www.robotevents.com/championship:
Tournament Finalists: Each team on the finalist alliance
Robot Skills Challenge Champion: Team with the best robot skills score
Programming Skills Challenge Champion: Team with the best robot programming skills score
Design Award World Champion: Presented to a team that demonstrates a solid approach to the design process, project management, time management and team organization.
Educate Award World Champion: Given to a team that has been able to successfully integrate VEX Robotics into their STEM curriculums.
Innovate Award World Champion: Presented to a team that has demonstrated a strong combination of ingenuity and innovation in designing their VEX robot.
Inspire Award World Champion: Presented to a team that demonstrates outstanding leadership through actions with other teams.
Mentor of the Year Award: Given to a team mentor that has helped their students achieve goals that were seemingly out of reach. This individual is a role model, a leader and an extraordinary mentor who helps show students new ways to expand their knowledge and solve problems in the worlds of STEM.
Partner of the Year: Given to an event sponsor that has gone above and beyond to help spread the VEX footprint to even more teams and students.
Teacher of the Year: Presented to a teacher who shows true leadership and dedication to his/her group of students. The winner of this award continually goes “the extra mile” to ensure a safe, enjoyable and educational experience for all students.
Volunteer of the Year: Given to an outstanding event volunteer.
STEM Hall of Fame Inductees:
For those looking forward to getting a jump on next year’s robot designs, the 2013/2014 VEX Robotics Competition and College Challenge game will be VEX Toss Up. VEX Toss Up is played on a 12 ft. x 12 ft. foam-mat, surrounded by a sheet-metal and Lexan perimeter. The field includes hexagonal-shaped Lexan goals, a sheet metal bump, hanging bars and a PVC and sheet metal fence. Teams score points by scoring BuckyBalls and large balls into goals or by placing them in different zones on the field. Points are also scored for robots that are hanging at the end of the match.
Partners and sponsors of the 2013 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship include the Northrop Grumman Foundation, Autodesk, Chevron, EMC, Go Daddy.com, Innovation First International, Microchip, NASA, and Texas Instruments. In addition, VEX Robotics continually reaches students in the classroom through key partnerships with notable education-based organizations, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and Technology Students Association (TSA).
About REC Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work. For more information on REC Foundation, visit www.recf.org.
About VEX Robotics
VEX Robotics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Innovation First International, is a leading provider of educational and competitive robotics products to middle schools, high schools, colleges and robotics teams around the world. The VEX Robotics Design System, winner of the 2006 Best of Innovations Award at CES, was built from the ground up and designed to be an affordable, accessible and scalable platform used to teach science, technology, engineering and math education worldwide. The VEXpro product line, designed for large scale competitive robots, gives robotics enthusiasts superior performance for less cost. The company has over 250 man years of experience supporting educational robotics programs and extensive engineering resources on two continents dedicated to the VEX Robotics platform. For more information on VEX Robotics, visit www.vexrobotics.com.
ROCKWALL, Texas, April 15, 2013 – On April 17-20, 2013, more than 15,000 participants comprised of the world’s smartest middle school, high school and university students, from 24 countries around the world, will converge at the Anaheim Convention Center to flex their robotic brawn at the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship, presented by the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation. More than just an exercise in programming and driving robots, these tech-savvy students turn robotics into an engaging hands-on sport that is riveting to watch.
The 2013 VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) World Championship, which will be held with free admission to the general public, serves as the pinnacle event of the season for the largest and fastest growing educational and competitive robotics program in the world. After dedicating countless hours designing, building, programming and honing their strategy skills at more than 400 local, regional and national VRC events, 700 out of more than 7,300 total VRC teams have earned the right to travel to Anaheim, California where they will form strategic alliances with other teams and challenge their toughest competitors playing the 2012-2013 season game VEX Sack Attack.
“The fact that the REC Foundation has grown the VEX Robotics Competition by 51 percent this past year is testament to the growing demand from today’s students who want to engage in robotics competitions, just as we typically see with physical sports,” said Jason Morrella, president of the REC Foundation. “We are committed to providing today’s youth with more opportunities and increased access to high-quality STEM programs like VEX Robotics, which will best prepare them to become our future innovators and thought leaders, while having fun in the process.”
The VEX Robotics Competition provides students and teams worldwide with the perfect storm of applied physics, mathematics, computer programming, digital prototyping, integrated problem solving, teamwork and leadership. Under specific rules and with limited resources, VRC teams learn about time management as they build and program customized robots using the VEX Robotics Design System, which they use to compete in alliances, executing the game VEX Sack Attack, which takes place on a 12’x12’ square field. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – compete in matches consisting of an autonomous period followed by driver- controlled play. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing alliance by scoring sacks and bonus sacks in the colored floor goals, troughs and high goal, and by having the most robots of your color parked at the end of the match.
Partners and sponsors of the 2013 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship include Northrop Grumman Foundation, Autodesk, EMC, NASA, Chevron, GoDaddy.com, Microchip, Texas Instruments and Innovation First International. In addition, VEX Robotics continually reaches more students in the classroom through key partnerships with notable education-based organizations, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and Technology Students Association (TSA).
Fans can follow the competition and sign up for real-time competition news and results via live webcasts, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Ptch and YouTube updates. Real time tournament results are also available through VEX via, an iPhone and Android compatible app, which provides match schedules, rankings and scores. For more information visit RobotEvents.com/championship.
About REC Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work. For more information on REC Foundation, visit www.recf.org.
About VEX Robotics
VEX Robotics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Innovation First International, is a leading provider of educational and competitive robotics products to middle schools, high schools, colleges and robotics teams around the world. The VEX Robotics Design System, winner of the 2006 Best of Innovations Award at CES, was built from the ground up and designed to be an affordable, accessible and scalable platform used to teach science, technology, engineering and math education worldwide. The VEXpro product line, designed for large scale competitive robots, gives robotics enthusiasts superior performance for less cost. The company has over 250 man years of experience supporting educational robotics programs and extensive engineering resources on two continents dedicated to the VEX Robotics platform. For more information on VEX Robotics, visit www.vexrobotics.com.
Rockwall, Texas – April 8, 2013 – The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and Go Daddy, today announced a $65,000 partnership grant to support growth and development of four VEX Robotics Competition State Championships in Arizona, California, Colorado and Iowa. The partnership also supports the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship in Anaheim, CA on April 18-20, an event that will attract 700+ teams and 15,000 students for three full days of robotics engineering competition.
“Go Daddy clearly values expanding student interest and access to high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs, like the VEX Robotics Competition,” said Jason Morrella, President, REC Foundation. “With Go Daddy’s generous support, more students, teachers and parents will have access to affordable and challenging hands-on robotics engineering education and competition opportunities.”
Go Daddy is the Web’s top platform for small businesses and serves more than 11 million customers worldwide. “Go Daddy believes it has a responsibility to invest in these tech-savvy students,” said Go Daddy Chief Human Resources Officer Lane Jarvis. “Go Daddy is passionate about creating opportunities for them. The students are learning valuable science and math concepts that are vital to their success as the next generation of technologists. The upcoming competitions are smart, fun and exciting events and a great fit for students - and for Go Daddy.”
The VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) has experienced incredible growth due to the efforts of the REC Foundation, expanding to include well-over 7,300 teams, accounting for 51 percent year-over-year team growth during the 2012-2013 season. The partnership with Go Daddy will uniquely position the REC Foundation to respond to this growth by adding or expanding state competitions in Arizona, California, Colorado and Iowa.
The REC Foundation manages the VEX Robotics Competition, which provides students and teams worldwide with hands-on, curriculum-based robotics engineering programs while also engaging them in valuable teamwork and problem-solving experience. Teams compete year-round at more than 350 events which culminate in April at the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship.
VRC is the largest co-curricular middle and high school robotics program and is expected to reach more than 85,000 students during the 2012-2013 season. To learn more about the REC Foundation, please visit RoboticsEducation.org.
About the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work.
About Go Daddy
Go Daddy is the world's largest domain name provider, Web hosting provider and new SSL provider, focused on helping small businesses grow larger. Go Daddy provides dozens of cloud-based services and is the largest worldwide mass-market hosting provider by annual revenue according to 451 Research (Mass-Market Hosting Report-Fall 2012) and is the #1 provider of net-new SSL certificates for 2012, according to the Netcraft, LTD Secure Server Survey. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com/PR.
Our REC Foundation colleague Roger P. Proulx passed away at home in Bradenton, FL on February 18, 2013 at the age of 67. He is survived by his beloved wife of 13 years, Martha Jane Proulx.
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation and all of us in the youth STEM community lost a respected coworker, dedicated mentor and great friend with Roger’s passing. Roger gave himself completely to the mission of inspiring tomorrow’s leaders and his friends, neighbors. The students in the Bradenton area whose lives he touched will deeply miss him.
Roger was born in Robins Warner, GA, in 1945 and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Saint Anselm’s College. He served a tour of active duty in Vietnam from 1967-1969 and retired from the Army Reserves in 1991. He worked as a business consultant, owned a performance management company, and most recently was the Regional Support Manager for the REC Foundation in Florida. Roger served over 3,000 volunteer hours in the Manatee County school system at Lee Middle School, Bayshore High School, and the Manatee County Technology Student Association.
Donations in lieu of flowers should be sent to: Florida TSA, P.O. Box 121614, W. Melbourne, FL 32912 “Roger P. Proulx Memorial Scholarship” or to Bayshore High School TSA, 5401 34th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34210.
ROCKWALL, Texas – Feb. 14, 2013 – The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation is pleased to announce a partnership with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company to host the first annual VEX Robotics Competition California State Championship at California’s Great America amusement park in Santa Clara, CA on March 16, 2013. The event will attract more than 50 of the top middle and high school robotics teams from around the state for a full day of robotics matches sponsored locally by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, Chevron, and the Future Foundation. In addition, California’s Great America will open part of the park after the competition ends to provide students with an opportunity to wind down and celebrate in the evening.
“I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Cedar Fair to host our first ever VEX Robotics Competition California State Championship,” said Jason Morrella, President, REC Foundation. “Cedar Fair presents a unique and exciting venue to accommodate the growing interest in competitive robotics engineering programs like the VEX Robotics Competition.”
The REC Foundation’s programs are on target to grow by over 30 percent this year and in order to accommodate the growth the Foundation expects to add a number of state events in the coming year, offering students more opportunities to compete locally and save on travel costs for competition. Currently, the VEX Robotics Competition is comprised of more than 7,000 teams from across the U.S. and internationally with 425 of those teams based in California.
“We are proud to host the inaugural VEX Robotics Competition California State Championship as it aligns with our commitment to youth and education,” said Raul Rehnborg, Vice President and General Manager of California’s Great America. “Education should be fun and we are happy to partner with the REC Foundation to create a learning experience the students will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Scott Tanner, Cedar Fair Corporate Vice President, Sales added, “This championship will be a perfect template for how we can host similar events at the other Cedar Fair parks in the future. We have a strong national footprint that matches up very well with VEX Robotics Competitions throughout the U.S.”
For details on additional upcoming events, please visit www.RobotEvents.com, a unique resource for teams and event partners to register and share updates from their robotics competitions. For more information about the REC Foundation, please visit www.RoboticsEducation.org.
About the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work.
About Cedar Fair
Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. The Company owns and operates 11 amusement parks, four outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract. Cedar Fair’s flagship park, Cedar Point, has been consistently voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper.
