The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation’s (RECF) global mission is to provide every educator with competition, education, and workforce readiness programs to increase student engagement in science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science. This brochure provides an overview of the RECF’s programs and competitions for participants in all grades from elementary school through college!
FOUNDATION REC
POWERING POTENTIAL OVERVIEW & IMPACT
ROBOTICS EDUCATION & COMPETITION FOUNDATION (RECF)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT US
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FEATURED PROGRAMS
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PROGRAM CONTINUUM 12
IMPACT NUMBERS
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OUR STORIES
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HELPFUL RESOURCES
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ABOUT US
At the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), we believe that STEM learning is the key to a better future for all. Our programs place the student at the center of everything we do, allowing them to explore, discover, and challenge themselves as they gain skills that are just as valuable in day-to-day life as they are in the workplace. When you partner with RECF, it’s not just about providing resources to help students build a great robot or program the best flight path for their drone. You also create opportunities for students to find success in teamwork, overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable, and prepare for the future workforce. Whether you are contributing through a donation, volunteer time, or in-kind support, you are helping to build a stronger, more resilient global community. Inspiring students one robot at a time.
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Reaching goals, exceeding expectations.
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation’s global mission is to provide every educator with competition, education, and workforce readiness programs to increase student engagement in science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science. Mission
Vision
We see a future where every student designs and innovates as part of a team, overcomes failure, perseveres, and emerges confident in their ability to meet global challenges.
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FEATURED PROGRAMS
VEX V 5 Robotics Competition
The VEX V5 Robotics Competition (V5RC) is
the largest middle school and high school robotics program globally. Each year, an exciting engineering challenge is presented in the form of a game. Students, with guidance from their teachers and coaches, build innovative robots using the VEX Robotics system and compete to qualify for the VEX Robotics World Championship.
“THEY’VE DISCOVERED A PASSION. SOME WANT TO STUDY CODING, WHILE OTHERS PURSUE ENGINEERING. THAT’S THE LONG- TERM IMPACT OF PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.”
John V’Soske, VEX Robotics Coach
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VEX IQ Robotics Competition The VEX IQ Robotics Competition (VIQRC) provides elementary and middle school students with an exciting new robotics challenge each year, introducing competition based robotics through fun and STEM-learning. VIQRC teams learn teamwork, collaboration, and STEM essentials in this engaging program.
81% 86%
of robotics high school students expressed interest in taking STEM courses in college.
of robotics students said they enjoy school more because of participating in robotics competitions, with nearly half stating they “definitely” do. *CNM 2023-2024 Post RECF Season Evaluation Report
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Developing Lifelong Career Skills for Future Innovators
Aerial Drone Competition The Aerial Drone Competition (ADC) provides middle and high school students with precision flight and autonomous programming challenges. Students develop teamwork and problem-solving skills, and solve problems with confidence. This fun aerial drone competition presents a challenge that requires students to work collaboratively and encourages innovation. The skills learned help participants prepare for a workforce where skilled drone operators and effective communicators are in high demand.
“THE AERIAL DRONE COMPETITION OFFERS A DYNAMIC, FUN, AND ENGAGING EXPERIENCE THAT PREPARES STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO BECOME TOMORROW’S LEADING INNOVATORS.” Louann Cormier
Senior Program Manager Aerial Drone Competition
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Factory Automation Competition
The Factory Automation Competition (FAC) is a classroom-based competition that provides students with the foundational skills needed for today’s advanced
VEX CTE Workcell. The focus of this program is to offer a comprehensive and scalable competition that helps change attitudes toward advanced manufacturing careers, teach critical workforce skills, reduce the growing industry skills gap, and ultimately create a stable pipeline of employees.
manufacturing careers. Students progress from education to workforce by engaging in hands- on curriculum using the
86% 79%
Of students surveyed said they enjoy school more because of participating in RECF competitions.
Of all students said they were interested in pursuing a STEM- related career. *CNM 2023-2024 Post RECF Season Evaluation Report
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“I CALL THEM MY INNOVATION TEAMS. SINCE THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST BUILDING A ROBOT,
THIS IS ABOUT BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY, AND A PROBLEM- SOLVING MINDSET.” Josh Almoite VEX Robotics Coach
Industry Certifications RECF Certifications Program was developed to support the global need for more students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The RECF provides industry certifications for students in CTE programs and robotics clubs. These certifications were designed by a team of accomplished professionals composed of engineers, college professors, and high school teachers.
Participation in our programs supports student performance in school, with 93% reporting doing better in engineering classes, and approximately two-thirds reporting improvements in science and math.
*CNM 2023-2024 Post RECF Season Evaluation Report
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International Robotics Honor Society (IRHS) Students with exceptional academic standing have the opportunity to apply for
is to elevate the profile of student participation in STEM Competitions at the school, district, and national levels and encourage more students to strive toward academic excellence in the STEM fields.
membership in a local chapter of the International Robotics Honor Society (IRHS) to earn nationally recognized graduation honors for their participation in high school robotics competitions. While each chapter can develop their own local objectives, the primary goal of the IRHS
Benefits of the IRHS • Recognizes students not only for their efforts on competitive robotics teams, but for academics, personal character, and community service • Opportunity for students to earn accredited graduation honors for their participation in high school robotics competitions
This is achieved through character development, participation in service
opportunities, and involvement in STEM Competition programs.
“THROUGH IRHS, I’VE ENGAGED IN STEM ACTIVITIES AND COMPETITIONS BOTH WITHIN SCHOOL CLUBS AND BEYOND, FUELING MY PASSION FOR ROBOTICS AND EXPOSING ME TO DIVERSE ENGINEERING FIELDS.” Juan Gonzalez IRHS Participant, Charter High School
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PROGRAM CONTINUUM
VEX GO ROBOTICS COMPETITION
• VEX IQ Robotics Competition • Aerial Drone Competition • VEX V 5 Robotics Competition
ELEMENTARY GRADES 2-4
MIDDLE SCHOOL
• VEX IQ Robotics Competition • VEX GO Robotics Competition
GRADES 5-8
AERIAL DRONE COMPETITION
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VEX V 5 ROBOTICS COMPETITION
• VEX U Robotics Competition • Factory Automation Competition • VEX AI Robotics Competition
HIGH SCHOOL
GRADES 9-12
POST-SECONDARY
• VEX V 5 Robotics Competition • SkillsUSA • JROTC Robotics Competition • Aerial Drone Competition • Factory Automation Competition • VEX AI Robotics Competition • Industry Certifications • International Robotics Honor Society
COLLEGIATE
FACTORY AUTOMATION COMPETITION
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IMPACT NUMBERS
GLOBAL PARTICIPATION
TEAMS BY GRADE
27,947 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEAMS 13,106 MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAMS 14,328 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS
55,659 TOTAL TEAMS
3,613 EVENTS
125 COUNTRIES
“THE ROBOTICS BROUGHT US TOGETHER, BUT THE RELATIONSHIPS AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE MADE THE EXPERIENCE UNFORGETTABLE.”
278 COLLEGE TEAMS
John V’Soske VEX Robotics Coach
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HIGH SCHOOL SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Critical Thinking
Problem-Solving
167,185 VOLUNTEERS
Communications
Teamwork
26M VOLUNTEER HOURS
We surveyed high school students about their current skill development, and the data revealed key trends in the skills students are focusing on, highlighting areas of strength as well as opportunities for further growth.
“I WAS ABLE TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH STUDENTS AND SEE HOW THEY WERE INNOVATING AND GROWING. BEING ABLE TO OFFER GUIDANCE BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCES WAS REALLY AMAZING. IT FELT LIKE A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT.” McKenzie Koch Robotics Participant, Advocate & Volunteer
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OUR STORIES
Building Confidence, Cultural Connections, and Lifelong Skills
John V’Soske, a dedicated educator and VEX Robotics coach at Black Rock Middle School in Villanova, PA, is watching robotics reshape the trajectory of his students’ lives, one challenge and competition at a time. In only its third year, the school’s VEX robotics team made its debut on the global stage at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship. The journey to the VEX Robotics World Championship was a
milestone in itself, but for John and his students, the impact went far beyond the competition.
Building a Robotics Legacy at Lynwood High School
Lynwood High School’s robotics program is a beacon of opportunity in a community south of Los Angeles, California. Many of the students will be first- generation college students.
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McKenzie Koch Robotics Participant, Advocate & Volunteer Robotics has never just been about the competitions. It’s about growth, both on and off the competition field, by building skills, communities, and confidence. Now, as a soon-to-be college graduate and dedicated volunteer, she’s using her experience to inspire the next wave of young innovators in Kentucky and beyond.
Josh Almoite Innovation Director & VEX Robotics Coach
Oscar McCullough Event Partner, Alumni & Emcee I'm a software engineer, so technical skills like coding and robotics apply to my job. But the most important skills these programs teach students are about the process. Learning how to plan a project and how to approach your work— those are the most valuable skills they'll learn.
Josh converted an old house, slated for demolition, into a robotics lab. He began inviting students and also reached out to an international school in Mexico to visit. “I don’t call them robotics teams,” he said. “I call them my innovation teams. Since this is about more than just building a robot. This is about building confidence, curiosity, and a problem-solving mindset.”
Launching the program wouldn’t have been possible without financial support. Grants, including funding from the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc., helped cover equipment and competition costs, which are critical to a brand-new program with limited resources. “That funding was essential,” said Steve Cline, a longtime educator and robotics coach.
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FIND RESOURCES GET INVOLVED
• VOLUNTEER • GET STARTED • NEWS & UPDATES • CONNECT
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FOUNDATION REC
GET INVOLVED Get connected and learn more about our impact online at recf.org.
1519 Interstate 30 West Greenville, Texas 75402
+1 903 401 8088 support@recf.org
recf.org/about-us • recfevents.org • robotevents.com
©2025 Robotics Education & Competition Foundation. All rights reserved. 101425REV1.1
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