RECAPPING THE 2023 INDIANA ROBOTICS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
On Saturday, March 25th the largest state robotics championship in the United States took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The event was presented by TechPoint Foundation for Youth (TPF4Y), powered by Group 1001 and Indy Women in Tech, and hosted by the City of Indianapolis. This was the fifth consecutive year that the championship has been held at the venue, bringing together an impressive 318 elementary, middle, and high school robotics teams from across Indiana. More than 10,000 people were in attendance for the event!
CHECK OUT THE HIGHLIGHT FILM FROM THE EVENT:
TPF4Y welcomed special guest, Mayor Joe Hogsett of Indianapolis, to help kickstart the event, giving an inspirational and encouraging speech during the opening ceremony. Additional special guests included TPF4Y Board Chair Linda Hicks and Indy VRC founder, Former Mayor Greg Ballard, who presented the prestigious Ballard Teamwork Challenge Awards. The event was also attended by representatives from TechPoint Foundation for Youth's major sponsor companies and organizations, including Group 1001, Indy Women in Tech, Indiana Department of Education, Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Purdue University, Cook Medical, and Sallie Mae. Their support and contribution to the event was invaluable, and we are grateful for their continued partnership in promoting STEM education and empowering the youth of our community.
Photo credit to Mick Hetman Photography
Students exuded passion, focus, collaboration, and sportsmanship all while demonstrating the utmost respect for one another and for every volunteer that helped make the day happen. “K-12 STEM programs, particularly robotics, develop more than just knowledge,” says TPF4Y President and CEO George Giltner. “TPF4Y's programs aim to promote diversity in the sport by encouraging underrepresented children to participate, resulting in a range of ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.”
“Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, is the perfect venue for our event. It highlights that robotics, just like athletics, is celebrated in Indiana on a grand scale. Qualifying for the State Robotics Championship is a significant achievement. Students from various backgrounds compete, broaden their perspectives, and develop teamwork and confidence-building skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”
Photo credit to Mick Hetman Photography
TPF4Y was honored to recognize Seniors in robotics on a special Robotics Senior Wall of Fame. Be sure to check out our Senior Wall of Fame below to learn more about our 2023 Seniors.
We are thrilled to announce that, in partnership with Purdue University, a deserving senior robotics student has been awarded a scholarship for the second consecutive year. This scholarship will cover the full cost of resident tuition for four years, enabling the recipient to pursue their passion for robotics and STEM education.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Caleb Buening from team 6210, Heritage Christian High School, on being this year's recipient of the prestigious Purdue Robotics student scholarship. Caleb's dedication, hard work, and leadership have earned him this well-deserved recognition, and we are proud to have played a role in his success.
We also want to express our gratitude to Purdue University for their unwavering support and commitment to recognizing and nurturing the talents of Indiana robotics students.
We are delighted to have partnered with Cook Medical once again this year to present the Cook Medical Robotics Community Award, which recognizes a high school VEX VRC Robotics team that embodies the spirit of robotics by supporting and inspiring other teams in their local community. It is an honor to highlight a team that has gone above and beyond in making a positive impact on the robotics community, and we are thrilled to announce that the 2849B AvengNerds from Caston High School were the recipients of this prestigious award. We commend the team for their exceptional efforts and dedication to promoting STEM education and inspiring their peers.
Photo credit to Jay Fields
By the end of the day, an unprecendented 167 teams qualified for the 2023 VEX World Championship - more teams than any other state in the country!
YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED! We are excited to have a record number of teams qualifying from all corners of the state. However, due to the high volume of teams, we are actively fundraising to assist with the costs associated with the World Championship, including fees and travel accommodations. We believe that every qualified team deserves the opportunity to experience this amazing event, and we are calling on our community to help make this a reality.
Please consider supporting us in our efforts to provide these students with an unforgettable experience. Any contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant impact on the lives of these young robotics enthusiasts. You can donate today using the button below.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to empowering the youth of our community.
For more photos from the event, click ON THE BUTTON BELOW:
Opening Ceremony Hype Video
Celebrity Good Luck Video
Since 2016, the State Robotics Initiative grant program has helped launch over 2,100 Indiana robotics teams and impacted over 24,000 students. TechPoint Foundation for Youth’s 2023-24 grants are now open and the TPF4Y Robot Team plans to award eligible elementary, middle, and high schools beginning in April!
Learn more about TPF4Y robotics opportunities HERE.