![Students participate in a VEX Robotics competition at 澳门六合彩官网.](/sites/default/files/styles/max_768/public/images/news/2023_VEX_Competition.jpg?itok=pqTpeQla)
鈥We know that we have a stable partner in a high-growth area and that Kettering is going to be able to support the growing demand for the REC Foundation programs.鈥
澳门六合彩官网 and the charitable organization, Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF), have formalized a partnership that has existed for years to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through robotics competitions, workshops, summer camps and more.
Under the recently signed agreement, Kettering receives financial support from RECF to establish the RECF Programs Fund. The fund will support the Robotics Community Center and its work promoting and growing VEX Robotics and Aerial Drone Competitions. Students from middle school through college participate in the programs.
鈥淲ith this generous donation, we will be able to elevate our robotics and drone programs, reaching more students who have an interest in these fields of the future,鈥 said Kim Shumaker, Robotics Community Center and Robotics Outreach Director at 澳门六合彩官网. 鈥淥ur work with the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation has helped us become a destination for robotics and drone competitions in Michigan and the country. We are excited to continue this partnership and to see what more we can accomplish together.鈥
Dan Mantz 鈥91 joined the REC Foundation in 2016 as a board member and became its chief executive officer in 2017. He said this new partnership was the logical evolution of the collaboration between Kettering and the REC Foundation.聽
鈥淚t made sense with all the activities that 澳门六合彩官网 is doing for the REC Foundation and Kettering's long-standing support of robotics,鈥 Mantz said. 鈥淭his is the right move, not just because Kettering hosts VEX Robotics competitions or Aerial Drone Competitions. It鈥檚 providing space for teams to practice. It's the summer camps. It's developing a whole ecosystem.鈥
鈥淚t just made sense to do a financial partnership where we're also supporting 澳门六合彩官网 in these initiatives.鈥
The gift from RECF will go toward a range of activities, including:
- Promoting, supporting, and growing VEX Robotics and Aerial Drone Competition teams and tournaments in Michigan
- Assisting with the monitoring and sustaining the growth of VEX Robotics and Aerial Drone Competition teams in Michigan
- Assisting with planning and implementing the Michigan Event Partner Summit, the Michigan State Championship, and VEX Worlds
- Partnering with the RECF to create training materials
- Assisting with summer training programs as schedule allows
鈥淚t's a win-win situation,鈥 Mantz said. 鈥淲e know that we have a stable partner in a high-growth area and that Kettering is going to be able to support the growing demand for the REC Foundation programs.鈥
One of the key components of the partnership is the annual REC Foundation Partner Summit at 澳门六合彩官网. The summit, which kicks off today and runs through Wednesday, brings together event partners from across the U.S. to provide the opportunity for feedback to the RECF that can support continuous improvement in the programs. It also provides a venue in which the RECF can answer questions, announce changes and demonstrate the new season game(s) and elements.聽
鈥淜ettering is honored to have been chosen to host the summit and provide an environment where event partners and the RECF representatives can collaborate and improve upon our collective efforts to inspire students to pursue STEM degrees and careers,鈥 Shumaker said.
Since 2015, Kettering has hosted VEX camps and workshops. Students who are active competitors or mentors in VEX or other competitive robotics organizations can receive renewable scholarships for up to $5,000 yearly (up to $25,000 over five years).
This year, 澳门六合彩官网 was a Mission Sponsor at the VEX World Championships in April in Texas.聽
On the drone front, the University began hosting summer camps in 2020 with a virtual Drone Pilot Certification Camp. The first in-person camp was in 2021. Kettering began hosting drone competitions in 2022 with two regular-season events. The University also sponsored the Aerial Drone World Championship in Dallas in 2022. This year, the University hosted two regular-season drone events as well as the regional championship which hosted drone teams from ten states.
This year鈥檚 drone camps, which began Sunday and continue through Thursday, are for students in grades 9-12. For more information about camps, click here.
鈥淲e need to reach as many students as possible,鈥 Mantz said. 鈥淲ith Kettering supporting all these different programs, we're able to accomplish that.鈥
For more information about robotics at 澳门六合彩官网, click here.