The Ultimate Robotics Showdown: STEM It Up Sports’ Exciting Twist on Competition

Are you ready for a robotics competition like no other? STEM It Up Sports brings innovation, excitement, and hands-on learning to students from kindergarten through 8th grade with their Robotics Competition—with a Twist! 

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The Original Creator of In-Person Sphero Robotics Competition

STEM It Up Sports is proud to be the original creator of the in-person robotics competition for Sphero robots. STEM It Up Sports saw the possibility of putting these robots into competition, transforming them from classroom learning tools into the centerpiece of an exciting, hands-on experience. By building the first live competitions around Indi, BOLT, and RVR robots, STEM It Up Sports set the standard for how coding and robotics can inspire students in a dynamic, face-to-face environment.

The International Tech Games is a series of STEM competitions built for students to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and innovation.

Our Unique Twist: Mystery Mission

Adding even more excitement, STEM It Up Sports introduces the Mystery Mission. Unlike the standard challenges students prepared for prior to competing, this mission is revealed for the first time on the day of the competition. Teams must think on the fly, apply all their coding and problem-solving skills, and work together to tackle unexpected tasks. This twist tests adaptability, creativity, and teamwork, turning each competition day into a thrilling challenge where students truly put their skills to the test.

Competitions for Every Level

The competition is structured to meet students where they are, making robotics accessible and exciting for all ages:

• Indi (ages 4–8): Early learners use Sphero Indi robots to design courses and learn foundational programming skills through hands-on play.

• BOLT (ages 8–14): Students use block-based coding to complete a series of challenges, exploring loops, conditionals, and problem-solving along the way.

• RVR (ages 8–14): For advanced learners, teams program RVR+ robots to perform autonomous tasks, pushing their coding and critical thinking skills to the next level.

Support for Coaches

Coaches play a vital role in student success, and STEM It Up Sports makes sure they’re prepared. A series of webinars provide orientation, mission workshops, and rubric guidance throughout the season. This ensures that both new and experienced coaches have the tools they need to help their teams thrive.

Don’t have a team yet but still curious? Join the Zoom orientation on Wednesday, August 20th at 5:30 PM CT. This session is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the robotics competition. No team registration required! Click the link below to sign up and reserve your spot.

Upcoming Competitions

Teams will showcase their skills at regional competitions across Texas:

• San Antonio – February 14 at Palo Alto College

• Dallas – February 21 (location TBD)

• Houston – March 7 at University of Houston

Each event is a celebration of innovation and teamwork, bringing together families, educators, and STEM enthusiasts to cheer on the next generation of problem-solvers.

Why Choose STEM It Up Sports Robotics Competition

What sets this competition apart is its balance of structure and creativity. Students aren’t just programming robots, they’re stepping into challenges that feel like real-world adventures. Each mission encourages critical thinking, innovation, and teamwork, helping students gain skills that extend far beyond the competition floor. Along the way, they build resilience, learn to collaborate, and gain the confidence to take on bigger challenges.

Another reason to choose STEM It Up Sports is the expanded opportunity to compete. With events held across Texas, including San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston, more students have the chance to experience the excitement that comes with competing in person. Each competition day is designed to celebrate student achievement, inspire creativity, and bring together families and educators to cheer on the next generation of innovators.

As the original creators of the in-person Sphero competitions, STEM It Up Sports brings years of experience and a deep commitment to making this the best possible event for students. Our passion for robotics education means every detail—from the structured missions, competition day experience, and the surprise “Mystery Mission”—is designed to inspire, challenge, and celebrate the next generation of innovators.

Learn more and register your team here: https://www.stemitupsports.com/roboticscompetition

More information on this season's theme: https://sphero.com/pages/global-challenge