Wallace Community College Selma and SCORE host annual VEX robotics tournament

Elementary, middle and high school teams from across the region competed in the event, which featured 16 VEX IQ teams and 12 VEX V5 teams. Students showcased their engineering, programming and problem-solving skills through a series of head-to-head robotics matches.

More than 150 students and approximately 300 community members attended the tournament as competitors, volunteers and spectators. Volunteers included members of Wallace Community College Selma’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.

“It is always a pleasure to be here and participate in a big event like this because they have worked hard all year just to showcase in a minute what they can do,” said Kaymon McGuire, tech coordinator at Wallace Community College Selma and a volunteer for the event.

Teams competed in the VEX Robotics Competition, which challenges students to design, build and operate robots to complete game-specific objectives. The game changes each year, requiring teams to design new robots to meet updated challenges. VEX IQ matches include one minute of driver-controlled play, while VEX V5 matches begin with a 15-second autonomous period followed by one minute and 45 seconds of driver control.

In addition to the robotics competition, teams participated in judged interviews where students explained their design process, teamwork and communication strategies.

“This is a great experience for students,” said Cooper Herbold, a student competitor from Headland High School. “It shows them self-discipline, exposes them to the STEM field and allows them to connect with others in all ways. It also provides pathways to college and the workforce if they choose to do that.”

Several teams competing in the tournament are supported by SCORE’s Hyundai Initiative for Robotics Excellence, which helps establish robotics teams in Montgomery, Autauga and Selma. The initiative provides hands-on STEM opportunities while emphasizing professionalism and sportsmanship.

“Events like the VEX Robotics Competition show exactly what Selma’s future can be,” said Johnny Moss III, mayor of Selma. “By investing in STEM and hands-on learning at Wallace Community College Selma, we’re building a local talent pipeline that strengthens our city, prepares our workforce and keeps our young people building their futures right here at home.”

Moss previously served as director of marketing and college relations at Wallace Community College Selma and helped establish the city’s annual VEX Robotics Tournament.

Partnerships such as this highlight COSAM and SCORE’s commitment to STEM outreach and K–12 education across Alabama, extending learning opportunities beyond Auburn University’s campus and into surrounding communities.