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STEM Hero

Woodie Flowers

About
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A co-founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology); Distinguished Partner at Olin College; A member of the National Academy of Engineering; Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; In 2007, he received a degree honoris causa from Chilean university Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello.

Wisdom: "You have to help straighten things out. Your participation in this robotics competition is the perfect first step. By respecting one another you're laying the foundation for understanding humanity. By going through the rigors of competition and exercising the grit needed to build your robot, you are learning about yourself." -- Hall of Fame Induction Speech
Award: STEM Hero
Year: 2017
Title: Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Massachusetts, USA
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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
REC Foundation Logo White
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…