Apr 15 2015
The U.S. Army, a leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) announced today that it will showcase top Army scientists and engineers and cutting-edge STEM technology to thousands of students from around the world at the 2015 VEX Robotics World Championship, taking place April 15-18, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
This intense four-day annual robotics/engineering tournament has attracted more than 800 teams from over 25 countries and will celebrate their accomplishments and further inspire young people's interest in STEM. The event is expected to attract more than 15,000 total attendees, including students, parents, judges and volunteers.
"The Army is proud to partner with the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation to bring robotics competitions to thousands of students across the country," said Mark S. Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for marketing. "It is vital to the prosperity of our nation that America's youth be inspired by and have access to STEM opportunities in the classroom and through extracurricular initiatives. These robotics events are a perfect setting for students to learn more about STEM, and be exposed to the career opportunities available to them should they pursue STEM-related studies all while in a competitive and character-building environment."
The U.S. Army presence at the 2015 VEX Robotics World Championship will include:
- Educational displays demonstrating the advanced and sophisticated array of technology developed and used by the Army
- Discussion panels with leading Army STEM experts showcasing Army technology, STEM proficiency and leadership
- Performance by the 113th Army Band
"At this week's World Championship, we are seeing first-hand how vitally important STEM is to our nation's security, and it's great to see so many students from across the country engage so deeply in this problem-solving activity," said Col. Brian Mennes, Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Cadet Command, who will address participants on Saturday. "The Army supports STEM programming because the Army cannot meet its mission without highly-trained, well-educated and expertly skilled force."
Over the past year, the U.S. Army has partnered with the REC Foundation to support 15 regional events across the country. This year's expanded partnership enables more students throughout the United States to enjoy an enhanced competition experience and learn about the many STEM-focused programs and activities supported by the Army.