Middle school robotics teams bring innovation and teamwork to Auburn for VEX IQ State Championship

Students celebrate as they take the stage during the 2026 Alabama VEX IQ State Competition at Auburn University’s Beard Eaves Memorial Coliseum.

Game pieces used in the VEX IQ “Mix & Match” challenge sit on the competition field during the state championship tournament.

A student makes last-minute adjustments to their robot before the start of a match.

The Alabama state competition for VEX IQ middle school took place at Auburn University’s Beard Eaves Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 27–28, welcoming 64 teams from across the region over two exciting days. 

The VEX IQ Robotics Competition offers students a dynamic alternative to traditional classroom learning. By engaging in hands-on engineering, coding and design, participants experience real-world STEM applications firsthand. Rather than simply reading about concepts, students test ideas, refine solutions and collaborate with teammates to overcome challenges. 

Each year, VEX IQ introduces a new game for students to master. This year’s game, “Mix & Match,” challenges teams to think strategically and work together in fast-paced matches to score points by completing specific tasks and forming alliances with other teams. In addition to alliance matches, teams compete in robot skills matches, where one robot works alone to earn as many points as possible under slightly different rules — highlighting how VEX robotics competitions emphasize both teamwork and individual skills. 

A former parent coach who began her journey five years ago, Michelle Lonsinger, is now the game design committee head referee for the REC Foundation reflected on the creativity displayed at the event.  “We design a game with certain expectations for how it will be played, but by the time these teams reach state and regional competitions, they are doing things we never imagined. Their creativity, intelligence and persistence never fail to amaze me. Robotics builds important life skills such as collaboration, communication, defending ideas and learning how to work as a team.” 

Alliance teams collaborate during a match, working together to maximize points in the fast-paced challenge.

Teams compete in this year’s VEX IQ game, “Mix & Match,” where alliance partners work together to stack game pieces and score points on a 6-by-8-foot field.

For many schools, the competition represents more than just a tournament. Nisha Warbington, a first-year coach from North River Christian School in Tuscaloosa, emphasized the inclusive nature of robotics.  

“Robotics builds curiosity. Students have clear parameters, but they also have freedom. Every child brings unique gifts and talents, and robotics creates a place for all of them. Whether that’s designing in a notebook, coding the robot or building the structure. Everyone has a role.” 

Competitive robotics is about far more than building a robot. It empowers students to approach complex problems with confidence, resilience and teamwork. These skills extend well beyond the competition field and into their futures.