GREENVILLE, Texas – November 20, 2014 – The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and the U.S. Army today announced a partnership expansion to support more than 15 regional VEX Robotics Competitions across the country and the 2015 VEX Robotics World Championship, which will take place April 15 – 18, 2015 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. The partnership seeks to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subject matter and enhance the competition experience for thousands of students across the U.S. In addition, the U.S. Army will bring exciting exhibits and attractions to the 2015 VEX Robotics World Championship to showcase the advanced and sophisticated array of technology developed and used by the Army. This intense four-day annual robotics-engineering tournament will attract more than 800 teams and 15,000 students from over 25 countries to celebrate their accomplishments and further inspire their interest in STEM.
“We value our expanded partnership with the U.S. Army and feel confident students will take full advantage of exploring the many engineering-focused exhibits the Army has to offer,” said Jason Morrella, president, REC Foundation. “It is our shared objective to advance student interest and achievement in STEM today, so that we may prepare these young people to become the problems-solvers and innovators of tomorrow.”
"The Army is proud to partner with the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation to bring robotics competitions to thousands of students across the country," said Mark S. Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for marketing. "It is vital to the prosperity of our nation that America's youth be inspired by and have access to STEM opportunities in the classroom and through extracurricular initiatives. These robotics events are a perfect setting for students to learn more about STEM, and be exposed to the career opportunities available to them should they pursue STEM-related studies all while in a competitive and character-building environment."
Over the past year, the REC Foundation has partnered with the U.S. Army to support select regional events across the country. The expanded partnership with the U.S. Army enables more students throughout the United States to enjoy an enhanced competition experience and learn about the many STEM-focused programs and activities supported by the Army. With significant support from organizations like the U.S. Army and growing interest from students across the U.S. and internationally, the REC Foundation continues to experience 30% annual team growth.
The REC Foundation manages the VEX IQ Challenge, the VEX Robotics Competition and VEX U, which engage student teams worldwide in hands-on, curriculum-based robotics engineering programs while also providing valuable teamwork and problem-solving experience. Teams compete year-round at more than 800 events that culminate in April at the VEX Robotics World Championship.
VEX Robotics is the largest middle and high school robotics program in the world with more than 10,000 teams in all 50 states and more than 30 countries. To learn more about the REC Foundation, please visit www.RoboticsEducation.org or to locate a competition event, please visit www.RobotEvents.com.
About the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics 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 nonprofit community to achieve this work.
About the U.S. Army
The Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG) is the U.S. Army's national marketing, marketing research and analysis and accessions analysis organization. The AMRG develops innovative and effective ways to: connect with the American public and make the Army more accessible and understood; increase awareness of both the benefits and value of Army service; and motivate the most qualified candidates to choose the Army as their service of first choice.
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