The Robotics Education & Competition (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 goal.
The REC Foundation’s vision is to change the world by inspiring young people in all communities to pursue degrees and careers in STEM fields by providing access to high-quality programs.
Currently, our regional staff utilizes our online resources, curriculum, and program offerings to support robotics and technology events and initiatives that aim to inspire and motivate students to excel in STEM education. In addition to operating and supporting competitions for some of the world’s leading robotics platforms and organizations, including VEX, TSA, and BEST Robotics, the foundation also provides program support and workshops focused on technology and professional development for educators. The REC Foundation is a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
The VEX EDR Robotics Competition is the largest and fastest growing middle and high school robotics program globally with more than 10,000 teams from 32 countries playing in over 750 tournaments worldwide. Each year, an exciting engineering challenge is presented in the form of a game. Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors, build innovative robots and compete year-round in a variety of matches. In addition to learning valuable engineering skills, students gain life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, communication, collaboration, project management, and critical thinking. The VEX Robotics Competition prepares students to become future innovators with 95% of participants reporting an increased interest in STEM subject areas and pursuing STEM-related careers.
VEX IQ Challenge
The VEX IQ Challenge provides elementary and middle school students with an exciting, open-ended robotics and research project challenge that enhances their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills through hands-on, student-centered learning. This elementary and middle school challenge is designed to foster student development of the following 21st century skills: teamwork, critical thinking, project management, and communication. These skills prepare students to become the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.
CS2N VEX Virtual Competition
The Computer Science Student Network (CS2N) is a collaborative research project between Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Robomatter Incorporated and others designed to increase the number of students pursuing advanced Computer Science and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CS-STEM) degrees. One of the most exciting competitions hosted on CS2N are the VEX IQ Robot Skills and VEX IQ Annual Robot Challenges. Students are able to control simulated robots using the exact same code that they use to control their physical robots.
Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology
BEST Robotics is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to engage, excite, and inspire middle and high school students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers through participation in a sports-like robotics competition. Started in 1993 as a competition for 14 area schools in rural Sherman, Texas, BEST has become the largest school-based robotics competition in the U.S.—and the only one free to schools—with with over 850 schools, 12,000 students, and 4000 volunteers participating at 41 licensed competition sites in 15 states.
Technology Student Association
The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national, non-profit organization of middle and high school students who are engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Since TSA was chartered in 1978, over 2,000,000 student members have participated through challenging competitions, leadership opportunities, and community service.