The REC Foundation recently caught up with Rachel from VEX Robotics Competition Team 323G, R.I.O.T. (Robotics Is Our Thing), with Cornerstone Robotics in Greenwood, Indiana. Rachel is currently the team leader and has been a member for four years. She's held roles on the team as a designer, builder, operator and programmer.
"The highlight of the last few seasons for me," she said, "has been the winning the Excellence Award at the State Championship as a Middle School team and also winning the Judges Award at the VEX Robotics World Championship in 2015."
Rachel and her team, like many others, has had its fair share of challenges. "This past weekend we had our first competition of the season and two days before the competition we had to redo most of our robot because none of it was working how we wanted it to work," said Rachel.
"I'm really excited to see what we can accomplish this season with lots of testing and time. Especially tweaking what we have to get it to the best that we can accomplish. I'm just excited about the next two years because I have the opportunity to compete in VEX in high school and maybe in college too."
Rachel's not sure yet what the future holds for her and she's keeping her options open, but thinking it might involve teaching or something to do with robotics. "I feel like if a girl wants to do robotics, she should pursue it," she said. "I personally don't know what I would do if I didn't have robotics in my life!"
The REC Foundation recently caught up with Team 9225C, Wildcat Robotics from White Plains High School in Anniston, Alabama. Team members include Alexis, Rebecca, Rachel, Chase, and their coach Bo Shaw.
Girl Powered
Team 9225C is an all-girls team that formed when the girls determined that the members of their previous co-ed team didn’t take their suggestions seriously. Starting a new team gave the girls the opportunity to experience different roles in the robotics process like building. Although this split took place late in the season, the team worked hard and despite challenges with their robot they carried on and focused on making adjustments. The Judges took note and the team ultimately earned the Design Award, becoming the only high school team in their county to qualify for VEX Worlds. “I represented my team during the Parade of Nations at VEX Worlds and had chills as I walked across the stage, chanting U.S.A with my fellow competitors,” said Chase. The team prides themselves on their intellect and ability to perform well in robotics, regardless of their gender. Their motto is “We can do whatever the boys can do, and we can do it in heels.”
Effects of Robotics
In response to their success, the team was recognized at a school committee meeting, and the Calhoun County Board of Education is taking steps to provide start up funds to schools seeking to start new robotics teams to students in elementary, middle school, and high school and also provides teacher stipends for their efforts. Chase, who has graduated high school, says that robotics competitions have shown her how people can come together to accomplish something. She received the first scholarship for robotics at Jacksonville State University and looks forward to joining a college robotics team there.
Coach Spotlight
The team’s coach, Jonathan Shaw, has been an inspiration to the girls as well. “I realized that many young women may be interested in robotics, but at the same time are intimidated by the environment,” said Mr. Shaw. “It’s important for coaches to encourage them and teach them how to use the tools they’ll need and break down the parts we use to build a robot. We make mistakes together and the girls listen and take the advice and encouragement they receive to heart.” Mr. Shaw recognized early on with his teams that it’s critical to show the students, girls or boys, that you believe in them and their ability and are passionate about the robotics program you manage. The team has visited other schools to share their experiences, give advice, and encourage students to pursue robotics.
Advice to Younger Students
Team 9225C is passionate about mentoring younger students, especially girls. They have visited VEX IQ Challenge classrooms and encourage students not to give up or allow anyone to tell them that they cannot do something. Alexis advises, “When they say ‘You can’t,’ you say, ‘Watch me.’”
Last Season we profiled VEX participant Noah of Team 99484, the Knights from the Christian Academy in Japan. In our interview, Noah told us about his move from Lancaster, California, where he was a member of the VEX Jets robotics team at Joe Walker Middle School to Japan where he helped start a new team at his new school, the Knights. With the help of VEX Jets mentor Matthew Anderson, a mutually beneficial relationship between the two teams quickly developed.
Through a series of FaceTime sessions held during practice, the teams shared ideas. This was especially helpful for the Knights, who only had one event during their inaugural season.
At VEX Worlds 2016, before the “VEX Robotics and REC Foundation Q&A” the teams finally met. They had dinner after the second day of competition and then sat together during ceremonies in Freedom Hall.
The Knights fared well at their very first VEX Worlds, winning half their matches. The team managed that despite the late arrival of their robot which was accidentally left off the team's connecting flight from Detroit.
The VEX Jets also performed well in Louisville. “The robot stayed consistent in the week of matches,” team member Leia said, “so we didn’t take any turns for the worse and we even won the Build Award [in the Opportunity Division.]”
The global scope of VEX Worlds left quite an impact on the two teams. “Teams from around the world had appeared in every color imaginable,” VEX Jets team member Amber said. “It was simply amazing to see the qualifying fields and hear the music as we got ready for our matches.”
The VEX Jets experience at VEX Worlds has them focused on the new season, the team’s sixth. “It really was amazing to be one of the eleven teams out of hundreds who had a chance of winning [the Excellence Award],” Team member Melissa said, “and it gives the VEX Jets a reason to work even harder this season!”
Inspired by their time in Louisville, the Knights returned to Japan energized. The school's science department expanded the program to two VRC teams. The school founded a robotics class based on the VEX EDR curriculum. Over the summer the team hosted two, week-long robotics boot camps designed to get more students involved in the program.
Noah returned to California over the summer to reunite once again with the VEX Jets and Mr. Anderson. Together they planned ways to continue the teams' mutually beneficial relationship throughout the upcoming season. It was a great opportunity to catch up with him," Noah said, "since I hadn't expected to be able to meet up again until this year's VEX Worlds."
Before that can happen, Noah and the team will have to contend with VRC Starstruck, a game that has captured Noah's imagination. "I've been amazed to see all the potential for complexity in design and strategy," he said. "Our teams have been working hard to design many systems that will score quickly and I'm really excited to see it all play out in competition."
A sophomore, Noah already has his eyes on a top university where he can continue his education. "I am working toward a goal of being accepted into the Stanford Engineering program by taking classes to prepare myself for college, as well as starting my own research projects to hopefully submit to other science/engineering competitions around the world."
Prior to enrolling in a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Introduction to Engineering (IED) class as a junior at Butler High School in Butler, Missouri, Jeremy Shaffer often struggled with his schoolwork despite working hard and getting plenty of help. That class changed Jeremy’s direction. He started working with Autodesk’s Inventor software and before long, he began finishing assignments early, helping the other students, and experimenting on his own. “From that moment on,” Jeremy’s teacher, Neta Apple, said, “Jeremy had a different attitude about himself and his future.” He joined the school’s Technology Student Association (TSA) chapter, who elected Jeremy vice president last year.
With Jeremy and several other students in mind, Mrs. Apple went to the principal, Mr. Oates, to get permission to start a VEX team. “We had no experience working with VEX,” Jeremy said. “We didn’t know how to start, or how to program.” The team pulled together and with some help from the team at Belton High School, they began to make progress. Two weeks before the first match of the season Belton's VEX coach challenged the Butler team to build a robot that could drive in the event. Jeremy and other teammates spent many hours after school and before school working on the robot, even arranging an overnight lock-in. As a result of their efforts, the team built two robots that could drive. “One [robot] would sometimes manage to launch a ball into the net,” Mrs. Apple said, “and the other was able to gather balls for an alliance partner and score single points.”
When a slot at the Missouri State VEX Robotics Championship opened up at the last minute, they jumped at the opportunity to compete at that level. All 450 Butler students lined up around the gym to give the team high-fives. The team’s day at the state championship didn’t go very well, but they had so much fun and learned so much that it hardly mattered.
Through participation in PLTW, TSA, and VEX, Jeremy became a leader known for his determination and capabilities. “He has found out he can do things he never dreamed,” said Mrs. Apple. After graduating, Jeremy continued to work on the family farm over the summer. He attended FFA leadership training camp and has continued to help out with his former team.
This semester Jeremy began college at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, where he studies law enforcement and criminal investigation. “I still plan to be involved with the college’s STEM club,” Jeremy said, “I feel without my involvement in robotics I wouldn't have felt ready to take the next step in my path to a higher education.”
Jeremy’s former team members started their second VEX Robotics season with a new addition—a field recently purchased by the school. The team will host the Bearbotics Mid-Winter Challenge in January. “I think that with the experience gained last year, and with their determination,” said Mrs. Apple, “they are going to make big steps toward becoming a more competitive team.”
Greenville, TX – October 11, 2016 – The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and VEX Robotics, Inc. teamed up to launch Girl Powered, a joint initiative to engage more young women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through competitive robotics. This announcement comes with a series of Girl Powered outreach activities hosted by REC Foundation partners and teams which will take place today, on the International Day of the Girl Child, adopted by the United Nations in 2011 to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The launch also coincides with Ada Lovelace Day, globally celebrating all women in STEM. Ada Lovelace is widely recognized as the world’s first computer programmer.
In addition, the REC Foundation will provide 50 new VEX IQ Challenge and VEX Robotics Competition Girl Powered team grants, and a new Online Challenge titled Girl Powered: In Her Words Storybook. Both organizations will offer a selection of marketing and online resources intended to aid coaches, mentors, and parents to further engage young women and girls in robotics.
“The REC Foundation is thrilled to announce Girl Powered in partnership with VEX Robotics to advance girls’ interest in STEM through competitive robotics,” said Jason Morrella, President, REC Foundation. “In business and in education, we know that our toughest challenges are best solved with a diversity of opinion. We all benefit by engaging more young women in competitive robotics as these students will become our future innovators and problem-solvers.”
"The Girl Powered initiative aligns perfectly with the inclusive values on which VEX Robotics was founded," commented Paul Copioli, President, VEX Robotics, Inc. “This program is a natural extension of where our company is headed and will help ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience the potential of STEM taught through the excitement of robotics."
Annually, the REC Foundation presents a series of robotics engineering programs that engage students from elementary school through college in the classroom and at after-school competitions in hands-on technology challenges that build their interest in STEM. More than 20,000 teams around the world are expected to compete this season in the VEX IQ Challenge, VEX Robotics Competition, and VEX U. Students have already begun designing, building, and programming robots to compete this season at more than 1,350 local, state, and regional competition events, which culminate in the VEX Robotics World Championship in April.
The REC Foundation is grateful to the partners and teams for their support of the Girl Powered initiative, with activities and events taking place around the world.
Additional details can be found at RoboticsEducation.org/gp, visit RoboticsEducation.org/gp or VEX.com/gp.
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. For more information, please visit RoboticsEducation.org or for details on upcoming events, please visit RobotEvents.com.
About VEX Robotics Inc.
VEX Robotics is a leading provider of educational and competitive robotics products to schools, universities and robotics teams around the world. Their VEX IQ and VEX EDR product lines span elementary, middle, and high schools with accessible, scalable, and affordable robotics solutions. Beyond science and engineering principles, a VEX Robotics project encourages teamwork, leadership and problem solving among groups. It allows educators to easily customize projects to meet the level of students’ abilities as they inspire & prepare the STEM problem-solvers of tomorrow. For more information, please visit vexrobotics.com.
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GREENVILLE, TX – October 4, 2016 – The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation has received a generous $20,000 challenge grant from Microchip Technology Inc.—a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions headquartered in Chandler, Arizona—to support the growth of the VEX IQ Challenge and the VEX Robotics Competition in Arizona. Through the grant, the REC Foundation and Microchip will invite other businesses and organizations to support the effort and double the grant, which would provide a total of $40,000 to fund up to 40 new robotics teams and support VEX Robotics events.
“We are excited to support VEX Robotics, where students can learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in a fun, hands-on engineering challenge building robots for competition,” said Steve Sanghi, President and CEO of Microchip. “We have a responsibility to our children to offer opportunities for them to engage, take risks and actually build things. With VEX, they also learn teamwork, project management, critical thinking and working on a deadline. By offering a matching grant, we hope to excite potential sponsors to support educational efforts and improve our community.”
“Microchip is a long-standing supporter of youth robotics, and we are grateful for their many contributions to expand the reach of the VEX IQ Challenge and the VEX Robotics Competition in Arizona,” said Jason Morrella, President, REC Foundation. “I welcome the opportunity to work with other organizations to bring sustainable, curriculum-based robotics engineering programs to more students across the state.”
Through its community-involvement programs, Microchip supports the VEX IQ Challenge for elementary and middle-school students, and the VEX Robotics Competition, for middle and high-school students, to engage students in STEM, creating the next generation of leaders in these fields. Microchip supports a number of teams in the area, and will host the Arizona VEX IQ Challenge Middle School State Championship on February 25, 2017 at their Chandler location. At the State Championship, teams will vie for coveted qualifying spots to attend VEX Robotics World Championship, the season’s culminating event that will bring together over 1,400 of the best teams from around the world to crown a robotics world champion across three programs: the VEX IQ Challenge, VEX Robotics Competition and VEX U.
The REC Foundation currently supports well over 16,000 teams in 40 countries around the world through the VEX IQ Challenge, VEX Robotics Competition and VEX U, which reach students in elementary, middle, high school and college. In Arizona, over 300 teams competed at 50 events last year. The program encourages students to design, build and program a robot that can solve an annual game challenge. The 2016-17 season is now open with the VEX IQ Challenge game Crossover, and the VEX Robotics Competition game Starstruck. For more information about the VEX IQ Challenge and the VEX Robotics Competition, 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 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 at http://www.microchip.com.
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GREENVILLE, TX – September 8, 2016 – The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation today announced Timothy Sierk, VEX Robotics Competition Team 177X from Ashland, Virginia, as the winner of the 2016 Chevron Scholarship, which encouraged students to submit an essay explaining how the VEX Robotics Competition enabled them to develop high competency and appreciation for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"The VEX Robotics Competition has not only taught me tangible skills like designing and programming, but also intangible skills like teamwork, strategy, and leadership” said Timothy Sierk. “In my four years as a VEX team captain, I have learned valuable lessons like when to redesign and how to communicate technically across language barriers at VEX Worlds. Throughout my career, I will be able to thank the VEX Robotics Competition for giving me a solid STEM foundation."
Timothy will attend Cornell University with plans to study Mechanical Engineering starting this semester. The Chevron Scholarship provides a $5,000 award to a high school senior who is intent on pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
“The REC Foundation Scholarship Program continues to expand with new opportunities each year to assist students in their pursuit of a post-secondary degree,” said Jason Morrella, president of the REC Foundation. “I would like to congratulate the 2016 scholarship winners and wish them much success as they prepare for a future career in science, technology, engineering and math.”
The 2016/2017 season is now open with VEX IQ Challenge Crossover and VEX Robotics Competition Starstruck. The new games were announced at VEX Robotics Competition World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky on April 20-23, 2016. For more information about the REC Foundation and the scholarship program, 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. Its goal is to provide these programs with services, solutions, and a community that allows them to flourish in a way that fosters the technical and interpersonal skills necessary for students to succeed in the 21st Century. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work so that one day these programs will become accessible to all students and all schools in all communities. For more information on REC Foundation, visit www.RoboticsEducation.org.
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Greenville, TX – August 25, 2017 – The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation announced today that the VEX Robotics World Championship, now entering its 10th year, will bring together the top 1,400 student-led robotics teams from around the world to Louisville, Ky. on April 19-25, 2017. The new dates mark a dramatic program change to provide teams with a superior event experience as they compete in the largest and fastest growing international robotics programs – the VEX IQ Challenge, the VEX Robotics Competition and VEX U.
As always, the VEX Robotics World Championship will feature top teams from around the world in the VEX IQ Challenge, VEX Robotics Competition and VEX U with a revised schedule as follows:
“The REC Foundation is committed to offering our VEX IQ Challenge, VEX Robotics Competition and VEX U teams with the best experience possible, and this year it means extending the VEX Robotics World Championship to accommodate more teams and open up more travel and lodging options,” said Jason Morrella, president of the REC Foundation. “Students and their parents, teachers, and coaches will be pleased to know that the new event format will only serve to improve the experience for everyone attending.”
Annually, the REC Foundation presents a series of robotics engineering programs that engage students from elementary school through college classrooms and at after-school competitions in hands-on technology challenges that build their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Of the 20,000 international teams expected to compete this season, only the best 1,400 teams will descend on Louisville, Kentucky to strategize and challenge each other with the current 2016-2017 season games: VEX IQ Challenge Crossover and VEX Robotics Competition Starstruck. Students around the world have already begun designing, building, and programming robots to compete this season at more than 1,350 local, state, and regional competition events.
At the close of competition on Saturday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 25, teams will be invited to the state-of-the-art Kentucky Kingdom amusement park for a private party.
The VEX Robotics World Championship is presented by the REC Foundation and the Northrop Grumman Foundation and additionally sponsored by Autodesk, Chevron, EMC Corporation, Harris Corporation, NASA, Texas Instruments, HEXBUG, Robomatter, RackSolutions and Innovation First International. For more information visit RoboticsEducation.org/VEXworlds.
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. For more information, please visit www.RoboticsEducation.org or for details on upcoming events, please visit www.RobotEvents.com.
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GREENVILLE, TX – August 4, 2016 – The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 Texas Instruments Scholarships, which encourage students to share what they’ve learned through robotics to advance their knowledge of robotics engineering. The winners of the 2016 Texas Instruments Scholarships are: Desirae Boles, VEX Robotics Competition Team 7983G, from Centennial High School in Bakersfield, California and Ho-Jae Jung, VEX Robotics Competition Team 2019C and FIRST Robotics Competition Team 4192, from Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, Texas.
“The REC Foundation Scholarship Program continues to expand with new opportunities each year to assist students in their pursuit of a post-secondary degree,” said Jason Morrella, president of the REC Foundation. “I would like to congratulate the 2016 scholarship winners and wish them much success as they prepare for a future career in science, technology, engineering and math.”
The Texas Instruments scholarship provides two $5,000 awards to high school seniors who are intent on pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
“On my team, I am known as the calculations girl and my sidekick, Florentino, better known as the TI 84-Silver Edition Calculator, is always with me,” said Desirae Boles. “With technology constantly advancing, it is imperative that I keep advancing my own education so I am able to help improve society. Robotics is a frontier that will be explored in the future and I fully plan on being a part of this expedition with my trusty sidekick Florentino.”
“In using my TI graphical calculator, I’ve been able to pursue my interest in robotics, perform successful calculations to improve the functionality of our robot, and now look forward to majoring in a field that will allow me to continue to explore technology to one day secure a job on the robotics field,” said Ho-Jae Jung. “I’m grateful to Texas Instruments and the REC Foundation for this opportunity.”
The 2016/2017 season is now open with VEX IQ Challenge Crossover and VEX Robotics Competition Starstruck. The new games were announced at VEX Robotics Competition World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky on April 20-23, 2016. For more information about the REC Foundation and the scholarship program, 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. Its goal is to provide these programs with services, solutions, and a community that allows them to flourish in a way that fosters the technical and interpersonal skills necessary for students to succeed in the 21st Century. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work so that one day these programs will become accessible to all students and all schools in all communities. For more information on REC Foundation, visit www.RoboticsEducation.org.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is a global semiconductor design and manufacturing company that develops analog ICs and embedded processors. By employing the world’s brightest minds, TI creates innovations that shape the future of technology. TI is helping more than 100,000 customers transform the future, today. Learn more at www.ti.com.
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Greenville, TX – April 23, 2016 – More than 1,100 robotics teams from 30 nations gathered at VEX Worlds to compete during three days of intense back-to-back matches for the chance to become World Champions. In doing so, these 15,000 students broke the previously held GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest robotics competition! VEX Worlds, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and the Northrop Grumman Foundation, is the culminating event of the season. Ultimately, teams from Canada, China, Puerto Rico, and the United States of America triumphed, taking home the highly coveted title of the VEX IQ Challenge Elementary & Middle School World Champions, the VEX Robotics Competition Middle & High School World Champions, and the VEX U World Champion.
“It’s inspiring to witness a variety of students from elementary through college display this level of problem-solving, teamwork, and engineering. By arming them with these life skills that will serve them well into the future, this program ensures that every student walks away a winner,” said Jason Morrella, President of the REC Foundation. “It’s been a record-breaking year all around for the REC Foundation. Not only does VEX Worlds now hold the record for the largest robotics competition ever held, but this year our program exceeded over 16,000 teams participating in over 1,300 competition events. We look forward to building on this momentum and providing more students and teachers access to high-quality, affordable, and sustainable programs like the VEX IQ Challenge, VEX Robotics Competition, and VEX U.”
VEX Worlds commenced on Thursday at the Kentucky Expo Center with a lively Parade of Nations, where students led a colorful procession into Freedom Hall, crossing the main stage, displaying their respective country’s flags. Immediately following the opening ceremony, teams began an intense afternoon of qualification matches and skills challenges. On Friday, the energy among the students was charged with excitement as teams competed and closed the day with the 2016-2017 New Game Reveals. By Saturday, qualification rounds ended and the top performing teams went through the alliance selection process before heading into finals and award ceremonies.
VEX Worlds is comprised of the top performing 1,100 teams (out of 16,000 teams), who qualified in one of the following five program divisions: VEX IQ Challenge Elementary School World Championship (ages 8-10), VEX IQ Challenge Middle School World Championship (ages 11-14), VEX Robotics Competition Middle School World Championship (ages 11-14), VEX Robotics Competition High School World Championship (ages 14-18) and VEX U (ages 18+).
Champions of the 2016 VEX Worlds are as follows:
VEX IQ Challenge Elementary School Teamwork Challenge Champions:
VEX IQ Challenge Middle School Teamwork Challenge Champions:
VEX Robotics Competition Middle School World Champions:
VEX Robotics Competition High School World Champions:
VEX U World Champion:
One team from each of the five program divisions also received the Excellence Award, the highest honor at VEX Worlds, given to the team with the most well rounded VEX Robotics program. Team 2014, Sandpiper Cyborgs, from Sandpiper Elementary School in Redwood City, CA received the overall Excellence Award for the VEX IQ Challenge Elementary School Division. Team 77777, Robolink Chargers, from Robolink Inc. in San Diego, CA received the overall Excellence Award for the VEX IQ Challenge Middle School Division. Team 7268, Killer Monkeys, from Lakeside Middle School in Cumming, GA was presented with the overall Excellent Award for the VEX Robotics Competition Middle School Division. Team 2915, Lynfield College Robotics, from Lynfield College in Auckland, New Zealand received the Excellence Award for the overall VEX Robotics Competition High School Division. Team UTGZ3, from La Universidad Tecnológica de Gutiérrez Zamora, in Veracruz, MX received the overall Excellence Award for VEX U Division.
Several other technical and value-based awards were presented to teams throughout the event. For a complete list of award winners, including winners of the online challenges, visit www.robotevents.com/championship.
For those looking forward to getting a jump start on next year’s robot, the 2016-2017 season games will be the VEX IQ Challenge Crossover and the VEX Robotics Competition Starstruck.
Sponsors of VEX Worlds 2016 included the Northrop Grumman Foundation, Autodesk, Chevron, EMC Corporation, Harris Corporation, NASA, Texas Instruments, HEXBUG, RackSolutions and Innovation First International.
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. For more information, please visit www.RoboticsEducation.org or for details on upcoming events, please visit www.RobotEvents.com.
