R4Creating hosts 21-team New Mexico VEX IQ state competition in Rio Rancho

R4Creating opened its new Hilltop Plaza headquarters in Rio Rancho to host the New Mexico VEX IQ state competition on Feb. 28, drawing 21 elementary and middle school teams from across the state. Teams represented Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Mescalero, Las Cruces, Roswell and Clovis, and organizers promoted a 9:30 AM kickoff for the one-day event.

The competition schedule and promotion appeared on R4Creating’s social channels as organizers invited the public to attend. An Instagram post read, “… R4Creating Center for the New Mexico VEX IQ State Championship! Competition kicks off at 9:30 AM, and you won't want to miss the action.” KRQE described the field as “over 20” teams, consistent with the 21 squads listed on the event roster circulated by the host.

On the playing floor, Desert Ridge Middle School of Albuquerque prevailed in a key match against a Rio Rancho-based team, Rrobserver reported. KRQE noted that winning teams at the state championship would have the opportunity to qualify for the robotics world championships in St. Louis, making individual match outcomes consequential for schools seeking national advancement.

R4Creating framed the state championship as more than a robotics tournament. “Not just how to build a robot, but how to be interviewed, how to deliver a marketing presentation, how to talk to media, hwo to go out and raise funds to support their teams. So many different aspects that lead to an amazing member of our community. Leaders, leadership skills that are so valuable,” said Dr. Shelly Gruenig from R4Creating. The organization emphasized skills such as media engagement, fundraising and marketing alongside engineering and coding.

The Rio Rancho nonprofit’s website underscores that VEX IQ targets younger students while BEST Robotics serves older students, and that R4Creating “hosts a variety of robotics teams during the late summer to early winter season.” The site also highlights organizational history and capacity: “Impacting STEM Education Worldwide since 2005,” a STEAM Center of Excellence, professional development and workforce development offerings, custom 3D printing services, and headlines noting an executive director inducted into a Global STEM Hall of Fame and R4Robotics receiving a Google Award.

Local officials and KRQE observers tied the new STEM hub to regional visitation goals, saying officials hope the STEM education center will bring more visitors to the Very Large Array site. R4Creating continues to promote sign-ups, monthly newsletters and donations on its program pages as it leverages competitions such as the VEX IQ state championship to expand programs and provide pathways for teams seeking spots at the St. Louis world championships.