Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Inspiring students, one robot at a time.

Marketing Challenge - Middle School

The REC Foundation and VEX Robotics envision a world where every student has the opportunity to be inspired by the excitement of hands-on STEM learning, the feeling of creating something with technology, and using creative outlets to share about their team’s accomplishments. The VEX Robotics Competittions give students opportunities to question, tinker, experiment, and play while building valuable skills like communication, collaboration, and time management. Entries for this challenge will give viewers a glimpse behind the scenes of a competitive robotics team.

Visit this link for a printable summary of this challenge.

 

 

Grade Level Requirements
Elementary School Middle School High School College / University No Grade Level Restrictions
Program Requirements
VEX IQ Robotics Competition VEX V5 Robotics Competition

Prizes

One (1) Winner: $500 VEX Robotics gift certificate; if the winning entry is from a team that has competed in their program with a physical robot during their competition season, they will also receive an automatic qualification to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championships.

Four (4) Finalists: $100 VEX Robotics gift certificate

Finalists and winners will be selected at each of the following grade levels, for a total of three prize packages.

  • Middle School

  • High School 

  • College

Eligibility

Teams must be part of a registered VEX Robotics team for the current season.

This page is for Middle School entries only - if you are any other program or grade level, please refer to the Online Challenge listings to find the correct page for your program and grade level.

  • Only one entry per team is permitted. However, each team in a multi-team school or club program may submit one entry. For example, teams 123A and 123B could each submit an entry, but team 123A could not submit two entries. Entries must vary in content and presentation to be considered separate entries. 

  • Entries submitted in previous years’ Online Challenges are not eligible for submission this year.

By uploading a submission to an REC Foundation Online Challenge, you agree to follow the Submission Guidelines and certify that you understand the Intellectual Property Rights held by you and the REC Foundation regarding your submission. Please review the Submission Guidelines and Intellectual Property Rights information at this link before uploading your submission.

Requirements

Video Submission

  • Create a video that showcases who your team is, what makes you special, and your journey in VEX Robotics.
  • Highlight any aspect of your experience: team dynamics, design and build process, competition excitement, or anything that captures the fun of being part of a VEX Robotics team.
  • The video should promote your team’s accomplishments and the hands-on STEM learning that VEX Robotics provides.

A video submission must meet these minimum requirements in order to be judged.

  1. Entry is created and produced solely by student team members. It is acceptable for adults to help with the technical aspects of creating and submitting a video to YouTube, and adults are encouraged to assist in completing any task that would be difficult or inappropriate for students in their age group.

  2. Format: One link to a video file posted on YouTube, SchoolTube, Youku, or equivalent video-streaming platform. Links to Google Drive, Dropbox, or other storage locations are not acceptable and will not be reviewed.

  3. Size: Up to three (3) minutes, including title, credits, and any other content.

  4. Credits:  Each video must include:

    • Title of submission

    • Names of students who participated (using first names only is acceptable)

    • Team number 

    • Location of team

  5. Music must be in the public domain.

Intellectual Property Rights

Your submissions help the REC Foundation further our mission. You will retain all rights to any material you submit, including ownership if applicable. The REC Foundation will endeavor to credit all submissions with the appropriate team number when used in part or in whole.

By submitting entry for an REC Foundation Online Challenge, you grant the REC Foundation and its related entities such as existing and/or potential sponsors and partners a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive right in perpetuity to use any part of the submission for any purpose, including but not limited to:

  • Display of all or part of the submission on REC Foundation websites.
  • Allowing third parties, including but not limited to REC Foundation partners, sponsors, and individuals, to share all or part of the submission on social media.
  • Use of all or part of the submission on the Internet and in social media in support of the REC Foundation mission.
  • Use of all or part of the submission in the REC Foundation’s and related entities’ internal and external communications and marketing materials including but not limited to web sites and web publications, fact sheets, fundraising publications, advertising, multimedia, displays, presentation and membership services, annual report, and newsletters.

Upload Instructions

Note: All online challenge entries must be uploaded by the primary contact for a registered team. This individual should ensure that the submission meets all requirements and criteria before uploading.

  1. Click the green Submit an Entry button on the right side of the screen.

  2. Fill out the submission form and add an optional description of the entry to the Short Description field.

  3. Ensure you are entering the correct team number and letter, with no spaces.

  4. Click Save.

  5. Click the blue Links / Videos button in the upper right of the screen.

  6. Enter the URL, title, and description of the video.

  7. Click on Add Link.

Judging Information

Enhanced Judging Information (up to 5 points for each criterion):

  • Team Identity & Storytelling: Showcase what makes your team unique. Share your journey in a way that inspires and engages the audience. Use clear storytelling to connect with viewers.
  • Creativity & Originality: Demonstrate creativity through original content, filming techniques, and perspectives that set your video apart. Surprise and engage viewers with new ideas.
  • Promotion of VEX Experience: Highlight the fun and excitement of being part of the VEX Robotics Competition. Focus on your team’s achievements, design process, and what makes the experience special.
  • Video Quality & Technical Execution: Ensure your video is well-edited with clear visuals and audio. Pay attention to technical details such as transitions, lighting, and sound quality.
  • Communication & Team Collaboration: Clearly show how your team works together. Highlight effective communication and teamwork throughout the video to showcase how each member contributes.

Deadline Information

Current time:
Fri, Dec 6, 2024 7:27 AM CST

Opens:

Wed, Nov 6, 2024 12:00 AM CST

Closes:

Wed, Jan 29, 2025 4:00 PM CST