RECF Logo
STEM Hero

Daniel Tani

About
STEM Hall of Fame profile picture for Daniel Tani inducted in 2017.
Details
Wisdom: To look down at the earth and see both very familiar sights like your hometown and unfamiliar sights like the middle of Australia, which is incredibly beautiful, the colors and textures of central Australia are just spectacular, that was a motivator every day for space for me. Even out the little window, it was amazing.
Award: STEM Hero
Year: 2017
Title: Astronaut
Organization: NASA
Team: Team 901B, The American School in Japan
Location: Illinois, USA

Daniel M. Tani (born February 1, 1961) is an American engineer and a NASA astronaut. Although born in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, he considers Lombard, Illinois, to be his hometown. With Peggy Whitson, Tani conducted the 100th spacewalk on the International Space Station.

Back to STEM Hall of Fame
RECF.org
RECF Logo White
Candid platinum transparency seal 2025
Donate
Events
Privacy Policy Terms of Service Acceptable Use Policy
© 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
REC Foundation Logo White
VEX Robotics World Championship logo