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American Samoa Students Bring Drone Skills, Confidence, and Teamwork to the Mainland United States

July 24, 2026
Tony Leatualevao, Program Director of Technology Integration for the American Samoa Department of Education, said that for his students on their remote South Pacific island, joining the RECF’s Aerial...
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From Four Cadets to a Growing Drone Program: How a JROTC Instructor Is Expanding STEM Opportunity

July 23, 2026
When a drone first arrived from Cadet Command’s 7th Brigade at Fort Knox, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Odell Graves was not immediately sure how it was intended to be used. After learning they would be u...
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JROTC students participate in Aerial Drone Competition

Dallas Students Dream Bigger Through Robotics and Drones

July 21, 2026
For Patricia and Omar Cortez, Dallas ISD educators and coaches, robotics and drones mean much more than competing.  They leverage robotics and drone programs from the RECF to help students ga...
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Robotics team picture

From Drone Competition to Community Impact: A Student’s STEM Journey

July 15, 2026
When Keaton Spellacy, an 18-year-old student from Woodstock, Georgia, first joined a drone team through his JROTC program, he was immediately drawn to the hands-on challenge of competition. Introduce...
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Important Update

May 10, 2026
For nearly twenty years, the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) has worked in close partnership with VEX Robotics to build a strong foundation for STEM education and competitive r...
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Participant celebrates victory at the VEX Robotics World Championship

A Message to Our Community 

May 18, 2026
We hear you, and we are listening. There is a tremendous amount of anxiety, confusion, and concern in our community right now, and we are not ignoring it. As any student in our programs knows, rea...
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Teams compete at the VEX Robotics World Championship

Celebrating the Aerial Drone Competition’s Inaugural Signature Event

May 18, 2026
The Aerial Drone Competition’s inaugural signature event was held this spring in Terre Haute, IN. The Aerial Drone Competition’s March Madness: Hoosier Edition brought nearly 50 drone teams from acro...
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Logo for Aerial Drone Competition’s March Madness: Hoosier Edition event

Drones and Land Robotics Sync for Next-Level Strategy

May 18, 2026
Elevate your STEM skills with the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation Aerial Drone Competition Pro (ADC Pro), a new competition for students ages 13+ designed to bridge the gap between th...
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Rebuilding and Transformation: How Robotics Transformed the Thompson Family

February 27, 2026
In the small town of Pineville, LA, the Thompson family is redefining what it means to be a “tech family.”  Parents, Lauren and Jacob Thompson, are self-identifying country people who keep a ...
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From Quiet Curiosity to Confident Innovator: How Robotics Changed a Student’s Life

February 25, 2026
When the world shut down during COVID-19, Ayushmaan Bellum, then a sixth-grader from Folsom, CA, found himself isolated, bored, and unsure where to channel his curiosity. What began as a simple sugge...
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Student works on his robot

Building Leaders Through STEM: Insights from U.S. Space Force Chief Data & AI Officer

January 8, 2026
Chandra Donelson is a leader whose work spans the highest levels of government and the pages of children’s books. As the Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer for the United States Spa...
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From Competition Fields to Career Paths: The Power of AI and Robotics

January 2, 2026
When Arya Sasikumar first stepped into the world of robotics as a fifth grader, he had no idea the journey ahead would shape not only his academic path but also his vision for the future. Today, as a...
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Arya Sasikumar speaks at a robotics competition

Partnerships Building Pathways: Palmetto Partners

December 7, 2025
“How can we get more kids involved in robotics?” That vital question, posed by Bob Couch and the group of South Carolina engineers and CEOs of Palmetto Partners in the early 2000s, laid the foundatio...
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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

Building the Future: How Robotics and AI Are Powering Student Innovation at St. Andrew’s International School in Bangkok

November 13, 2025
For 17-year-old Mathias Paramel, what began as a hobby building radio-controlled (RC) planes has evolved into a passion for robotics, automation, and aviation. “My dad and I used to build drones toge...
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St. Andrews robotics participant works on robot

VEX Robotics World Championship Newsletter: April 10, 2026

April 12, 2026
April 10, 2026 In this edition: Congratulations Products Spectator Check-in Team Check-in Division Lists Driver Meetings Inspection VEXos Firmware Meal Vouchers ...
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VEX Robotics World Championship logo

VEX Robotics World Championship Newsletter: March 20, 2026

March 20, 2026
March 20, 2026 In this edition: Congratulations Payment Deadline Lodging Requirements Meal Vouchers Robot Shipping Coach Training Webinar on March 25 Judging Parade of...
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VEX Robotics World Championship logo

VEX Robotics World Championship Newsletter: March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026
March 27, 2026 In this edition: Congratulations Products Payment Deadline Lodging Requirements Meal Vouchers Robot Shipping Judging Parking Pass Team Pits Practi...
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VEX Robotics World Championship logo

VEX Robotics World Championship Newsletter: March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026
March 13, 2026 In this edition: Congratulations Payment Deadline Lodging Requirements Judging Coach Training Webinar Drivers Meeting Participant Release Forms Visa and...
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VEX Robotics World Championship logo

VEX Robotics World Championship Newsletter: March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026
March 3, 2026 In this edition: Congratulations Payment Deadline Lodging Requirements Coach Training Webinar on March 25 Interested in Volunteering? Drivers Meeting Partic...
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VEX Robotics World Championship logo

Impact Newsletter: March 2026

March 20, 2026
In this edition: Celebrating Our VEX Robotics Event Region Championships Building More Than Robots The VEX Robotics World Championship Explores a New City A Bridge to a Bright Future ...
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Impact Newsletter Graphic with REC Foundation logo.

Impact Newsletter: February 2026

February 13, 2026
In this edition: Special Olympics Texas Unified VEX Robotics Competition Q&A With Scott Ransom from HAND ERC Celebrating 10 Years of Innovation at the Kalahari Classic Signature VEX Rob...
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Impact Newsletter Graphic with REC Foundation logo.

Impact Newsletter: January 2026

January 28, 2026
In this edition: From Competition Fields to Career Paths: The Power of AI and Robotics Aerial Drone Competition’s First Signature Event More Insights from U.S. Space Force Chief Data ...
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Impact Newsletter Graphic with REC Foundation logo.

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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Impact Newsletter: December 2025

December 12, 2025
In this edition: Happy Holidays from RECF A Masterclass in Integrity and Teamwork Celebrating RECF Volunteers Nominate an Inspiration All-Star The Power of Partnership | Palmetto Part...
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Impact Newsletter Graphic with REC Foundation logo.

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Team Updates
Fireworks on stage at VEX Robotics World Championship
VEX Robotics World Championship
Girl Powered robotics team competes at VEX Robotics World Championship.
Girl Powered
Two members of an Aerial Drone Competition team hold a trophy at an event.
Aerial Drone Competition
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© Robotics Education & Competition Foundation | EIN: 35-2212630 | 2026 | All rights reserved.

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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