June 17, 2014 – The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) today announced a partnership to establish 20 new VEX Robotics Competition teams through NSBE’s Pre-College Initiative (PCI) program to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics as academic subjects and as future career paths. In addition, the partnership will enable the REC Foundation and NSBE to promote awareness and opportunities for students, including scholarships, by presenting at each organization’s regional and national events and conferences, such as the VEX Robotics World Championship in April 2015 and the NSBE 41st Annual Convention on March 25-29, 2015 in Anaheim, CA.
“I’m thrilled to announce our partnership with the National Society of Black Engineers and identify strategies to further engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through the VEX Robotics Competition,” said Jason Morrella, President, REC Foundation. “Access to hands-on robotics engineering is a critical offering to spark interest in STEM and I look forward to working with NSBE to expand our efforts to reach students and schools in need across the United States.”
“The scholarships and activities that are now accessible to our young people will be invaluable as NSBE continues to form partnerships that ultimately increase the numbers of those exposed to engineering,” said Sossena Wood, NSBE’s National Chair.
The REC Foundation manages the VEX IQ Challenge, the VEX Robotics Competition and VEX U, which provide 10,107 teams of students worldwide with hands-on, curriculum-based robotics engineering programs while also offering valuable teamwork and problem-solving experience. Teams compete year-round at more than 800+ events which culminate in April at the VEX Robotics World Championship. The VEX Robotics Competition presents an annual engineering challenge in the form of an exciting game. Middle school and high school students, with guidance from teachers and mentors, design and build innovative robots and compete year-round at local, regional and state events. The partnership with NSBE will uniquely position the REC Foundation to respond to growing demand in communities in the U.S, which the two organizations will jointly identify. To learn more about the REC Foundation, please visit www.RoboticsEducation.org.
About the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry, and the non-profit community to achieve this work.
About the National Society of Black Engineers
With more than 30,000 members, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the country. A not-for-profit founded in 1975, NSBE now includes more than 310 collegiate, pre-collegiate and technical professional chapters globally. NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”
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