The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and the University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering today announced a partnership to establish new scholarships for students participating in the annual VEX Robotics Competition, which are valued at $60,000. In addition, the University of Louisville will participate at the VEX Robotics World Championship by providing volunteers, campus tours to student competitors, and exhibit as part of College Row, which will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center on April 15 – 18, 2015. Further, the University of Louisville will start a new on-campus VEX U team to participate in robotics engineering competition at the collegiate level.

“The University of Louisville, JB Speed School of Engineering is excited to be a community education partner with the VEX Robotics World championship coming to Louisville in April 2015. This partnership is a natural fit as both the Speed School and VEX Robotics world championship are passionate about engaging students interested in STEM through hands-on engineering programs,” said Neville G. Pinto, Dean of the Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville. “Speed School students, faculty and staff look forward to welcoming and supporting competitors from across  the globe,  with scholarships, event volunteers, and informational sessions for attendees.”

The REC Foundation manages the VEX IQ Challenge, the VEX Robotics Competition and VEX U, which provides more than 10,000 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 University of Louisville’s new scholarship offerings will expand the overall scholarship program to more than $2 million available to students participating in the VEX Robotics Competition. The University will manage the application process and students must apply by January 15, 2016.

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.

The J. B. Speed School of Engineering offers B.S. degree programs in bioengineering, chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering, and computer engineering and computer science accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. The EAC of ABET-accredited Master of Engineering degree is also offered in all of these disciplines. The Speed School is the first engineering school to achieve dual level accreditation by EAC of ABET for its baccalaureate and master of engineering programs.