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Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. Expands Robotics Opportunities for Students

November 6, 2025
Since 2022, the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. has partnered with the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) to bring hands-on, classroom-based learning to life through the Factory Auto...
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Mazda Foundation logo

Ifeoluwa Ogunfolu’s Journey from Aerial Drone Competition Student to RECF Regional Support Specialist

October 27, 2025
When Ifeoluwa Ogunfolu’s guidance counselor suggested she try joining a drone team, she never imagined drones would play such a defining role in her education and career path. Now a junior at T...
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Ifeoluwa Ogunfolu and teammate hold award atevent

Impact Newsletter: October 2025

October 17, 2025
In this edition: The Space Cookies Soar High and Shatter Stereotypes Join Us for the Second Annual RECF Giving Day Q & A with U.S. Space Force Chief Data & AI Officer Celebrating...
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Impact Newsletter Graphic with REC Foundation logo.

Building Career Pathways Through Robotics: Bill McDonough’s Seven-Year Internship for the Real World

October 11, 2025
For over three decades in education, Bill McDonough has been helping students discover their voice, build confidence, and shape their future. Through robotics, he created what he calls a “seven...
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Robotics coach Bill McDonough

Eaton Offers STEM Opportunities to Students Worldwide

October 7, 2025
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) partners with Eaton, a power management company, to bring access to student-centered robotics programs that embrace inclusivity and innovati...
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Girl Powered panel discussion at VEX Robotics World Championship

The Power of Purpose: Chandra Donelson on Leadership, Innovation, and STEM Education

October 3, 2025
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) is proud to collaborate with Chandra Donelson, a trailblazer at the intersection of public service, technology, and storytelling. As the Chi...
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Chandra Donelson holds the book she co-wrote,

The Space Cookies Soar High and Shatter Stereotypes as the Next Generation in STEM 

September 29, 2025
Located in Mountain View, CA, this team is building much more than robots; they’re building a future where women are at the forefront of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)...
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Team 1868A poses with their robot

Impact Newsletter: September 2025

September 13, 2025
In this edition: From Family Roots to Career Success: Nathan Matlack’s VEX Robotics Journey Ignite. Innovate. Impact. RECF Online Challenges Open for 2025-2026 Bringing Representation to th...
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Impact Newsletter Graphic with REC Foundation logo.

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2025-2026 Signature Event Updates

  1. An Event Partner wanting to apply to host a Signature Event must have hosted events for at least 2 seasons prior to applying. 
  2. Signature Events must use the officially branded award banners for the Excellence Award and Tournament/Teamwork Champions Award.
  3. When hanging field skirts the VEX Robotics logo/brand name can not be covered up on the competition fields.
  4. VEX V5 Robotics Competition Signature Events may have regional capacity and max per organization restrictions lifted 8 weeks before the event if the event is not full (similar to the process already in place for VEX IQ Robotics Competition Signature Events).
  5. Minimum pit size reduced to 8’x 8’ instead of 10’x10’.
  6. Beginning in the 2025-2026 season, the REC Foundation will collect $10 instead of $5 per team registration on all Signature Events. This is to help offset travel costs for REC Foundation staff to support these larger events.

2025-2026 Signature Event Application Reminders

  1. Existing Signature Events only need to complete the Final Application (due by March 31, 2025)
  2. New Signature Event concepts will need to complete the Initial Proposal by January 31, 2025 and if approved, complete the Final Application by March 31, 2025.
Crowd watches the Signature Event in Minnesota's Mall of America
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