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Hunt Valley Life reports on a local leg held in Hereford. VIDEO HERE
VEX Robotics Competition
The VEX Robotics Competition, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, is the largest and fastest growing middle school and high school robotics program globally with more than 20,000 teams from 50 countries playing in over 1,700 competitions 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.
The Importance of STEM
As the world grows increasingly complex, the need for individuals equipped with the knowledge and skills to tackle tough problems by gathering information, evaluating it, and presenting effective solutions continues to increase. Still, relatively few students are proficient in the core subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and even fewer express interest in pursuing these fields beyond high school. Increasingly, educators and students alike seek hands-on, sustainable, and cost-effective approaches to help engage young people and maintain their interest in STEM through elementary school, middle school, high school, and beyond.
Competitive robotics not only encompasses all four pillars of STEM education, but also encourages important life skills like teamwork, communication, and project-based organization. The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation exists to bring this exciting experience to students all over the globe through our wide range of competitions designed for students from 3rd grade through college.
Baltimore County Public Schools seeks volunteers to serve in key roles during upcoming robotics tournaments.
The Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation and VEX have partnered to provide free online training, testing, and certification for those interested in serving as volunteers.
“Each event needs a certified head judge and a referee,” said Dr. Michael E. Grubbs, BCPS coordinator of career and technical education. “In addition to judges and referees, we need volunteers for other key roles, too. Experience and/or a technical background are helpful but not required. Most of all, good volunteers listen, collaborate, and give their time to students who are eager to show their knowledge and demonstrate their creative robot designs on the playing field and during the interview process.”
Those interested in volunteering at any of the following events are asked to contact the event organizers.
Ridgely Robotics IQ Extravaganza 2024 (VEX VRC, Grades 8-12)
Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ridgely Middle School, 121 East Ridgely Rd., Lutherville 21093
Contact: Greg Kallaur, gkallaur@bcps.org
BCPS CTE VEX VRC Winter Over Under Winter Tournament (VEX VRC, Grades 8-12)
Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Parkville Middle School, 8711 Avondale Rd., Parkville 21234
Contact: Robin Bowden, rbowden@bcps.org
2023-2024 Maryland VEX Robotics Competition Middle School State Championship – Over Under (VEX VRC, Grades 6-8)
Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hereford Middle School, 712 Corbett Rd., Monkton 21111
Contact: Mike Doddo, mdoddo@bcps.org, or Chris Putnam, cputnam@bcps.org
2023-2024 Maryland High School VRC State Championship – Over Under (VEX VRC, Grades 9-12)
Friday, March 1, 2024, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dundalk High School, 1901 Delvale Ave., Dundalk 21222
Contact: Patrick Dougherty, pdougherty4@bcps.org
For additional information, potential volunteers can read REC Foundation volunteer and judging information and REC Foundation judging information or learn more about the official VEX IQ (Grades 4-8) and VRC (Grades 8-12) games for this school year.
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