RECF Summit for Drone Programs 2025 Introduction The 2025 Inaugural REC Foundation Drone Competition Summit took place on July 22-23, 2025, at the Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. The Summit featured general sessions and separate breakout sessions for Coaches and Event Partners, with a range of training and […]
Cameron Akker is the 2014 REC Foundation-RoboMatter scholarship recipient and will receive $5,000 intended for students pursuing a degree related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Cameron attended Redmond High School and is a member of VEX Team 575, Exothermic Robotics of Redmond, Washington. He will attend Harvard University this fall. Cameron, on far right, is pictured […]
A team can call in from one location for their interview, or have multiple team members log in separately.
I told the kids, ‘I want you guys to explore different careers so you can find something that you’re going to wake up excited about.’ I love what I do. And through that, I think through my passion, through my joy, I can teach kids to start opening their minds to discover careers that they’re […]
Full Inspirational Women in STEM and Tech: Lisa Schultz of the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation On The 5 Leadership Lessons She Learned From Her Experience article courtesy of Authority Magazine. Lisa Schultz is the Director of Regional Operations at the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. She applies her previous career experiences as […]
Lisa Schultz is the Director of Regional Operations at the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. She applies her previous career experiences as a mechanical engineer and high school science and robotics teacher to provide educators and students with opportunities to develop their STEM skills through competitive robotics. Her passion is providing pathways and reducing […]
At North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics-Morganton, computer science instructor Matt Hilton is doing far more than teaching code. As the coach of four competitive VEX V5 Robotics teams, Hilton is helping students from across North Carolina unlock their leadership potential, on and off the competition field and building a robotics program from the […]
*Teams with an asterisk listed with their name qualify for VEX Worlds 2022. VEX Robotics Competition Middle School Division (LRT) V5RC World Champions – Middle School Overall Champions V5RC Tournament Champions – Middle School Divisional Champions VEX Robotics Competition Middle School Division Judged Award Winners (LRT) VEX Robotics Competition Middle School Division (LRS) Overall Top […]
While dedicated mentors abound at the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, it is rare that a volunteer is named Teacher of the Year. In December, Natasha Craft, a robotics coach and educator of 27 years for Pulaski Elementary School in Somerset, KY, received the Robert and Patricia Kern National Teacher of the Year award for […]
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.— The Defense Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Consortium (DSEC), funded by the Department of Defense (DOD) and managed by RTI International (RTI), a nonprofit research institute, has selected three new partners to increase opportunities for young students to work directly with technology to develop creativity, inventive thinking and problem-solving skills. […]
Martin J. “Marty” Mechsner was a driving force behind the development of robotics teams and leagues in Southern California. He supported local initiatives and played a key role in the inaugural VEX World Championship at CSUN. Long before it gained national recognition as a critical need, he championed workforce development. Mechsner served as president and […]
Rachel from VEX Robotics Competition Team 8110B filled the REC Foundation in on the challenges her team has faced as well as their hopes for the future. Rachel’s team, nicknamed “Team KaBuum,” is from Mankato, Minnesota, and she has been a part of the team for two years. Rachel’s current coach and teacher inspired her […]
ROCKWALL, TEXAS – April 28, 2014 – Last weekend, the Anaheim Convention Center was taken over by more than 15,000 participants from 27 countries, as 760 of the world’s best student-run robotics teams demonstrated their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) skills, going head to head with custom-built and programmed robots at the VEX Robotics […]
March is Women’s History Month! This month, we’re celebrating the trailblazers of the past and the current women in STEM who are making history by inspiring our robotics community and paving the way for the future. Read more about our women leaders below as they share their experiences, challenges, and thoughts for the next generation […]
As part of Hispanic Heritage month (September 15-October 15) the REC Foundation is highlighting Hispanic members of the VEX robotics community. We recently sat down with Patricia Cortez, an educator based in Dallas, Texas, Air Force pilot and AI Researcher Victor Lopez, and Carlos Hernandez, Computer Science and Technology Department Coordinator for the Dallas Independent […]
Working with our partners at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, the REC Foundation celebrates Native American Heritage Month by highlighting indigenous people in various domains of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We want to share individual stories to inspire you and your teams. We are so humbled to be a part of a diverse STEM community, […]
During the Girl Powered Flagship Event, the young women and mentors will have a chance to connect in person and share experiences. Building community is what our workshops are all about, so take part and ask questions to learn how other women followed their passion into rewarding STEM careers. Be sure to check out our […]
For over a decade, Todd Ensign has played a central role in growing robotics education across West Virginia. As Program Manager of the NASA Katherine Johnson Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) Facility’s Education Resource Center (ERC), he has led efforts that have expanded REC Foundation programs from a single VEX V5RC event with 25 teams […]
These innovative women of color not only revolutionized their various fields of science but also paved the way for generations to come. Keep reading to learn more about five women in STEM we think you should know. The celebration doesn’t stop here! With Women’s History Month coming in March, you can give your STEM role […]
Calvin Mackie, Ph.D. is the founder of STEM NOLA, a non-profit dedicated to exposing, inspiring, and engaging communities to STEM. His non-profit has engaged over 60,000 K-12 students in STEM through robotics camps and challenges. A native New Orleanian, he taught at Tulane University for 11 years before refocusing his career on entrepreneurship, consulting, and […]
Girl Powered is celebrating Women’s History Month by shining a light on women leaders in STEM! These inspirational figures have done amazing work and have impacted the industries they serve and helped pave the way for future female innovators to do the same. Read below to see what we’re talking about! We invite you to […]
Greenville, TX – June 10, 2021: The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, and VEX Robotics hosted a first-of-its-kind global student competition, the Live Remote VEX Robotics World Championship on May 17-29, 2021, that showcased the incredible talent and skills of student competitors. With 12,693 participants, this revolutionary event was recognized by […]
The REC Foundation is proud to celebrate Native American Heritage Month by highlighting indigenous people in STEM. With the help of our partners at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, we gathered stories for our series that I hope will inspire you and our teams.
Welcome to the College of Engineering. One of the oldest programs on campus, the College of Engineering helps keep Lamar University the hotbed of the oil and gas industry. Our professors maintain close ties to industry, preparing students for the workforce. Must be a first-time student in the college of engineering. Full time students’ exceptions […]
