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Inspiration All Star

Chip Diberardino

About
STEM Hall of Fame profile picture for Chip Diberardino inducted in 2014.
Details
Wisdom: I am continually impressed by the creativity, technical abilities and attitude of the robotics students, both in the classroom and the robotics clubs. I am an engineer in the field of robotics a also a STEM mentor. The robotics students and club members gain experience solving the same types of technical challenges as professional engineers. It is exciting to help guide these future engineers and scientists.
Award: Mentor of the Year
Year: 2014
Organization: Hereford High School
Team: Team 929, 9290 | Hereford Zone Robotics
Location: Maryland, USA

BS Electrical Engineering 1984, Virginia Tech; MS Electrical & Computer Engineering 1987, Johns Hopkins University; Robotics Engineer since 1999, General Dynamics Land Systems; Classroom Mentor (since 2006) & VEX Robotics Mentor (since 2008) , Hereford Zone Robotics – Hereford Middle School & High School, Baltimore County Schools, Parkton MD; FIRST Robotics Mentor since 2013, Highland School, Warrenton VA.

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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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