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STEM Hero

Mike Martus

About
STEM Hall of Fame profile picture for Mike Martus inducted in 2022.

Mike Martus graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973 and a master’s in 1977. He was a vocational educator in the Pontiac school district in Michigan for 37 years. Martus started out doing small engine repair in an industrial arts class but saw the power of STEM and launched the first robotics engineering program in Pontiac. In March 2011, he joined the REC Foundation as a regional support manager for Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Martus was quickly promoted to director of regional operations and was responsible for a third of the U.S. Mike retired from the REC Foundation in 2022.

Throughout Mike’s career, he’s been a leading advocate for STEM and project-based learning. Before joining the REC Foundation he was a coach in FRC Team 47 Chief Delphi. While coaching Martus showed the world what robotics could do for students in underserved communities. Chief Delphi was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997 and Mike was awarded the prestigious Woodie Flowers Award.

Details

Award: STEM Hero
Year: 2022
Organization: REC Foundation
Location: Michigan
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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.
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