Vintage Magnet Wins Inspire Award at VEX IQ Robotics World Championship

Vintage Magnet Robotics team wins Inspire Award at VexIQ World Championship held in Kentucky  April 28 - 30, 2019!

When the judges called our team number, holding the large trophy, we could hardly believe it! The Inspire Award for Vintage Robotics, on the highest stage, at the 2019 Vex IQ World Championship in Louisville Kentucky. We won!

The experience was amazing for our delegation of robot drivers Malik, Nadia, Ethan, Austen, Pedro, Oeden, KC and Nico, research project assistant Isai, Coach Nolasco and Mrs. Mourao, and the family members that come to cheer them on. Many other team members that helped with parts of the projects in the early phases of the team were cheering from home. Eleven people in our delegation signed-up to volunteer to work in the event and help out.

"Worlds: started with the Parade of Nations. We did not expect to be in the Parade of Nations but we were more than thrilled to get the bracelets that indicated we could participate.

Parade of Nations

“Look around, take it all in . You made it. You represent the best and brightest VEX IQ roboticists in the World! said Mr Grant Cox, 2019 Chairman of the Vex Federation. That was such an amazing experience for the Vintage team members that were   right behind the flag bearer for the United States as they walked into Freedom Hall for the parade.

There were 400 teams and 28 nations represented at that competition with only a few  from Southern California. Hundreds and hundreds of girls crowded the Girl Powered talk to hear Emily Calandrelli, the Space Gal, http://www.thespacegal.com/, talk about women in technology. It was the beginning of three days that seemed unreal, from the pride for their country displayed by all teams to the technical prowess of their robotic masterpiece. The top teams showed that they can be more perfect with a score of 41 then the 40 we thought was the ultimate goal.

The competition though was more than just robots stacking hubs and hanging high. The teams were interviewed multiple times as they also competed for the Build, Create, Think, Amaze, Inspire, Innovate, Create, Design, Research, Excellence, and Judges Awards. Our team was  thrilled and humbled to be bringing home a trophy. Only three other schools in California had the same honor.

And then a new robotic year started, with the unveiling of the new game: “Squared Away” amid the party lights and confetti at Kentuckyʼs Freedom Hall. You can view more on the new game at:,  https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexiq/competition/vex-iq-challenge-overview.

Thank you Mrs Mourao and Coach Nolasco for an amazing robotic year taking our team to “the Next Level” ! Now itʼs time to get “ Squared Away” for 2019/2020!