The 2021 Indiana VEX Robotics State Remote Skills Championship, presented by TechPoint Foundation for Youth (TPF4Y) and powered by Guggenheim Life and Annuity and Indy Women in Tech, took place virtually for the first time ever on March 6th! Indiana’s top 245 VEX robotics teams from elementary, middle, and high schools competed to advance to the Remote VEX Robotics World Championship. Check out our highlight video of the amazing day here!
The current COVID pandemic caused a shift in the normal proceedings for this year’s event. Safety and accessibility have always been at the forefront of planning the VEX Robotics State Championship, which is why TPF4Y made the difficult decision to make the event virtual. TPF4Y President and CEO George Giltner said: “The 2021 Indiana VEX Robotics State Remote Skills Championship is a one-of-a-kind virtual event that allows us to ensure safety and accessibility for our students while still celebrating their perseverance and hard work. I’m truly impressed by the resilience of these students and the dedication of the coaches who sacrificed so much to ensure the 2020-21 robotics season carried on.”
Teams across the State prepare to watch Opening Ceremonies
Opening Ceremonies Hype Video
Good Luck Video
Indiana VEX Robotics State Championship Highlight Video
While the event was virtual that didn’t stop some Hoosier celebrities from wishing the teams well! Special guests Mayor Joe Hogsett and Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner as well as Pacer’s Forward Myles Turner, Fever’s Guard Kelsey Mitchell, and LEGO Master Aaron Newman helped kick off the event with encouraging messages.
IndyVRC founder, Former Mayor Ballard, along with representatives from State Robotics Initiative sponsors including the Indiana Department of Education, Roche Diagnostics, and Indy Women in Tech sent congratulations and well wishes for the competitors!
Check out all of the celebrity and sponsor videos here!
Mayor Joe Hogsett welcomes teams in the Opening Ceremonies
Check out the opening ceremonies video here!
Despite the challenges of making the event virtual, Volunteer and Events Coordinator Andy Fulton, the TPF4Y team, and 100 volunteers orchestrated an amazing event that demonstrated what is possible when a determined group of individuals focuses on giving students the best alternative to an in-person event. “At the end of the day, we are supporting the kids. We know so much changed for them this year and we wanted to celebrate and reward their perseverance. It was important for us to give them a State Championship no matter the obstacles.” said Fulton.
TPF4Y Volunteers attend virtual training prior to the event
245 Teams across the state compete for an opportunity to advance to the VEX Robotics World Championship
A new addition to the event this year was highlighting Indiana Seniors in our digital program. 47 Seniors shared with us the number of years they have been involved in robotics, their plans after High School, and where they plan to be ten years from now. Almost every one of them plans to study in a STEM field!
Check out all these amazing student’s answers in our 2021 Senior Hall of Fame.
At the end of the day, 138 awards were won with 122 being VEX World Championship qualifiers. TPF4Y Staff was thrilled to personally deliver 90 trophies to teams across the state.
We are rooting for all of our Indiana teams as they look forward to the Remote VEX Robotics World Championship in May!
For a full list of State Champ winners, click here.
Woodview Elementary teams 15294A and 15294B receive their trophies
The State Robotics Initiative was developed by TPF4Y to provide a hands-on, STEM learning experience to Indiana students through an economical, entry-level robotics platform proven to engage diverse student populations in comprehensive STEM subject matter and spur student interest in STEM college and career pathways. The program was developed in 2016 as a statewide expansion of the City Of Indianapolis VEX Robotics grant program, a legacy of former Mayor Greg Ballard. Since its inception, the SRI program has helped launch over 1,200 Indiana robotics teams impacting over 25,000 students. TechPoint Foundation for Youth’s 2021-22 grants will reopen in April for eligible elementary, middle, and high schools. For more information, please visit www.TechPointYouth.org/robots.