About Pit Admin | VEX Robotics World Championship
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At the Santa Cruz Cooperative School (SCCS), Innovation Director Josh Almoite is changing what STEM education looks like. In his second year on campus, Josh is successfully leading an innovation program featuring robotics, drones, and media production. This spring, his two new teams, one elementary school (VEX IQ), and one high school (VEX V5), will represent Bolivia for the first time at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas. “This has always been a dream,” Josh shared. “To bring a team to the VEX Robotics World Championship felt impossible. But now, here we are.”
When Josh was hired to lead innovation efforts at SCCS, there was no robotics program, but with a clear vision, he began building, literally and figuratively. He created a robotics lab out of an old house once slated for demolition and started inviting students and, eventually, another international school in Mexico to join in the experience.
“I don’t call them robotics teams,” he said. “I call them my innovation teams. Since this is about more than just building a robot. This is about building confidence, curiosity, and a problem-solving mindset.”
Today, his innovation program includes more than 30 students who participate in VEX Robotics and have created their own drone competition initiative. They meet regularly, often giving up weekends to test and refine their designs. However, the lessons go well beyond coding and engineering.
“I’ve seen the kids grow so much,” Josh said. “They’ve learned how to communicate, lead, listen, fail, and try again. These are life skills.”
Parents, administrators, and board members have rallied behind the robotics and drone program. Some parents, inspired by their children’s passion, are now traveling to Dallas to support the teams.
“In Bolivia, where the economy can make access to STEM programs really difficult, seeing this level of support is nothing short of incredible,” Josh said. “The families found a way to make it work because they saw the impact on their kids.”
Josh also credits his school’s leadership for taking a chance on his vision. “They believed in the power of learning through doing. They knew this was something special when they saw kids coming in on Saturdays and staying late after school.”
As the world’s largest robotics competition approaches, Josh manages everything from robot transportation to team dynamics. His focus is on ensuring his students walk away with more than just medals.
“I tell them the goal isn’t to win. The goal is to give a good fight, to represent Bolivia with pride, and to learn as much as you can,” he said. “Since robotics isn’t just about machines. It’s about who you become in the process.”
From coaching his team to increasing their problem-solving skills to encouraging a new coder to trust his teammates, Josh embodies the spirit of a mentor who sees potential in every challenge.
“They’re not just building robots,” Josh said. “They’re building themselves.”
And soon, the greater robotics community will see what they’ve built at the VEX Robotics World Championship.
