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STEM Hero

Dr. Douglas D. Osheroff

About

California Institute of Technology; Graduate studies at Cornell; During his senior year in high school, he constructed a 100 keV X-ray machine. Winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of superfluidity in helium-3; awarded jointly to also include David M. Lee and Robert C. Richardson.

Wisdom: I was a good student, but only excelled in physics and chemistry. I was intellectually rather lazy, and in high school would take a free class period so I could get my homework done, freeing evenings for my many projects. I had the most trouble in math, and only through considerable trauma gradually improved from a grade of C+ to A+ over three years.
Award: STEM Hero
Year: 2012
Title: J.G. Jackson and C.J. Wood Professor of Physics, Emeritus
Organization: Stanford
Location: California, USA

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
VEX Robotics World Championship landscape logo
Teams check scores at VEX Robotics World Championship
App | VEX Robotics World Championship
Teams are responsible for making their own arrangements for travel between Dallas airports and their hotel. Information about ground transportation services can be found on the airports' websites.
Judges observe participants at VEX Robotics World Championship
Volunteer | VEX Robotics World Championship
WE NEED PASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS LIKE YOU TO POWER THE VEX ROBOTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP! Whether you participate solo or with a group of friends, family, or coworkers, you’ll make a huge…