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Kristi Matlack

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STEM Hall of Fame profile picture for Kristi Matlack inducted in 2015.
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Wisdom: Enjoy the journey. I am honored to have received this award on my journey to provide meaningful learning experiences for my students. I tell my teams and encourage others to enjoy the journey too. Celebrate your accomplishments but raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.
Award: Teacher of the Year
Year: 2015
Organization: North Union Middle School
Team: Teams 4810 & 10021
Location: Ohio, USA

B.A. Elementary Education, Bowling Green State University; M.S. Education, Marygrove College; 2013 North Union Teacher of the Year; Project Lead the Way Gateway Teacher.

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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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