This week, over 150 K-12 teams are competing for a spot at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship, happening from May 9-14 in Dallas. The Arkansas VEX Robotics State Championship is underway at Tucker Coliseum, Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
The goal of this event? To spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among students. It offers a hands-on look at robotics that is both affordable and sustainable. Jecob Weidenfeller and the ATU robotics team are leading the charge, with help from Sarah Jones of the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation. Volunteer judges are provided by Entergy Arkansas.
Only the top 28 teams from this championship will move on to compete at the world level, which has big-name sponsors like Google, NASA, and Tesla. This year’s event marks a significant return, especially after the 2021 championship was canceled due to COVID-19. ATU has been a frequent host, running 12 of the last 13 state championships.
The need for STEM professionals is clearer than ever in Arkansas. A recent study reveals a critical shortage of STEM graduates in the state. Closing this gap could boost the state’s economy by $3.9 billion by 2038. It’s projected that doubling the number of engineering graduates could lead to about 19,000 new jobs in Arkansas. This aligns with national employment trends. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are expected to grow by 10.4% in the next decade, while non-STEM positions will only rise by 3.6% during the same period.
Robotics competitions like these provide a fun and engaging entry point for students. They encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and technological skills that today’s workforce desperately needs. Overall, events like the VEX Robotics Championship are not just about robots; they are about building futures.
For more details on STEM employment statistics, check the [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/stem-employment.htm).
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