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Welcome, Coaches!

Congratulations, and thank you for coaching a team of students interested in 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. Your willingness to coach a robotics team is the next step in solving the STEM problem!

The intention of our articles is to prepare you and team members for the robotics competition season, use of the Engineering Design Process, and your first event. Good luck this year and may you and your team have a great season!

The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation is a non-profit that hosts world-wide robotics competitions in partnership with companies including VEX Robotics
The REC 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.
REC Foundation robotics teams are associated with public schools, private schools, after school groups, home school groups, scouting groups, 4H groups, etc.
REC Foundation team coaches are not required to have a background in STEM education.
- Coaches with all types of backgrounds are successful in a robotics program.
- The Coach's role is to guide students in this exciting adventure.
A Mentor is a person associated with your team who volunteers time, knowledge, energy and/or effort to help the team’s season and/or skills.
Your Regional Support Manager (RSM) is a dedicated REC Foundation employee who works to bring a successful season to everyone in their region.
Find your RSM with the RobotEvents.com Support Map.

Additional Information

As you read through our articles, you may notice that there is more to coaching a robotics team than building/programming a robot and competing at an event. The REC Foundation has created a full experience for you and your team that includes free classroom curriculum, free professional development, a supportive robotics community, STEM-related Online Challenges, and a life-changing experience for your students. If you've made it this far, here are some additional tools and information about the REC Foundation. Contact your RSM if you want to get more involved!

Note: Should anything in our online resources contradict the Game Manuals or Qualifying Criteria Documents, those documents will take precedence. All of these official documents are explained further in our articles.

Inclusion Initiatives

The REC Foundation is committed to engaging every student, especially those in underserved populations, in the pursuit of STEM education and careers to prepare them for the challenges and demands of the future workforce. As part of this commitment, special initiatives of the Foundation are designed specifically to impact these underrepresented populations. Ask your RSM for more information on all of the REC Foundation Inclusion Initiatives.

Welcome, Coaches!

Additional Information

Inclusion Initiatives

Sponsors