Corpus Christi, Texas – TxSTEMed is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Buc Days, one of Corpus Christi’s most beloved traditions, to bring VEX IQ, VEX VRC, VEX U, and RECF ADC drone competitions and demonstrations to the festival’s expanded STEAM EXPO. From April 30 through May 3, 2026, students, educators, and families from across the Coastal Bend will have the opportunity to experience hands-on robotics and drone technology right in the heart of one of South Texas’s premier community celebrations. This collaboration represents exactly the kind of creative, community-driven thinking that makes real differences for young learners — meeting students where they already are and putting STEM directly in their hands. Competing teams will have the chance to win $25,000 in prizes to support their teams!
VEX Robotics programs are among the most impactful STEM platforms available to K-12 students today; especially in Texas. VEX IQ introduces elementary and middle school students to the fundamentals of engineering, coding, and teamwork through age-appropriate robotics challenges. VEX VRC takes those foundations further for middle and high school competitors, pushing students to design, build, and program increasingly sophisticated robots. VEX U extends the pipeline into higher education, giving college students real-world engineering experience, while the RECF Aerial Drone Competition brings the fast-growing world of autonomous drone technology into the classroom. Together, these programs create a continuous pathway from a child’s first spark of curiosity all the way through career-ready skills in engineering, computer science, and advanced manufacturing.
The importance of this kind of early and sustained STEM engagement cannot be overstated when it comes to building a strong Texas workforce. Industries across the state — from energy and aerospace to healthcare technology and agriculture — are hungry for skilled workers who can think critically, solve complex problems, and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies. When students participate in robotics and drone programs, they are not just learning to code or wire a motor; they are developing collaboration, perseverance, and the confidence to tackle challenges they have never seen before. These are the exact competencies that Texas employers need, and the earlier we cultivate them, the stronger our talent pipeline becomes.
Buc Days has long been a gathering place for the Corpus Christi community, and we deeply appreciate their willingness to work with us to build solutions that bring meaningful STEM experiences to students in and around the city. Expanding the STEAM EXPO with robotics and drone programming is a natural fit — it combines the energy and excitement of the festival with the transformative power of hands-on learning. For many students in the Coastal Bend region, this may be their first encounter with competitive robotics or autonomous flight systems, and that single experience can be the moment that sets a young person on a path toward a career in engineering, technology, or innovation.
We invite students, parents, educators, and community members to join us at Buc Days from April 30 to May 3 and see firsthand what happens when we invest in the next generation of Texas problem-solvers. TxSTEMed is committed to making STEM education accessible, exciting, and connected to the real world — and partnerships like this one with Buc Days prove that when organizations come together with a shared vision, we can create opportunities that change lives. Come out, cheer on some robots, watch drones take flight, and help us inspire the future workforce that will keep Texas leading the way.
If you are interested in starting a team at your school so you can join us at the 2027 Buc Days, please take a minute to review the available grants at http://recf.org/grants