Why Girl Powered?

Inspiring The Next Generation

The REC Foundation is dedicated to making STEM an exciting and inclusive experience for all students. We highlight the groundbreaking contributions of women in STEM, provide essential tools for success, and foster welcoming environments where confidence and skills can thrive.

What does it mean to be Girl Powered?

It means encouraging your teammates, classmates, friends, and family to step outside their comfort zones and explore new opportunities. It’s about recognizing who isn’t yet represented in robotics, inviting them in, and ensuring they feel like they belong.

Does Girl Powered exclude boys?

Absolutely not. This initiative isn’t about pushing boys out—it’s about bringing everyone in. Robotics is for everyone, and the world needs problem solvers and engineers of all backgrounds. Research shows that although girls and boys express equal interest in science and math during elementary school, many girls disengage in middle school due to various factors¹ . Yet, women make up only 30% of the STEM workforce².

Girl Powered exists to change that reality by redefining the face of STEM and ensuring that all students see a place for themselves in robotics.
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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
Robot Shipping Option
Freeman is our shipping partner for the VEX Robotics World Championship. Teams choosing to ship should ensure that their robots arrive on or AFTER May 5, 2025 to the Kay…
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…