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STEM Robotics Day 2025 Results

STEAMwhiz Sponsors & Raffle Winners
Back to Newsletter Community Update

STEM Robotics Day Results

We are thrilled to acknowledge the incredible local partners who made this possible and announce our raffle winners!

Elle drawing the raffle tickets

The Winner’s Circle

Family Adventure Pack

Sponsored by Zone 518

Winner: Igor

Premium Hair Care Bundle

Sponsored by Pure Elements Salon

Winner: Healy

Fitness Starter Pack

Sponsored by Aevitas Fitness

Winner: Daysia

Gift Card

Sponsored by Price Chopper / Market 32

Winner: Adrian

Gift Certificate

Sponsored by STEAMwhiz

Winner: Becca

All winners have been contacted directly via email/phone for prize pickup!

© 2025 Steamwhiz. All rights reserved.

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VeX IQ Teams – Local to Global

STEAMwhiz Vex Teams – Our Legacy
Back to Newsletter STEAMwhiz Teams Spotlight

From Local Legends to Global Contenders

The Incredible Journey of the Magnificent Mangos

Team at Worlds
Traveling with the Robot
Mangos Awaiting Results
The Arena Competitions

The Magnificent Mangos (Team 78454B) didn’t just have a good season—they had a historic one. Demonstrating incredible growth and persistence, this team overcame early challenges to excel in both autonomous coding and mechanical design. Their hard work paid off, earning them a spot on the world stage.

2025 World Championship Team: Saaqib Maraicayer, Cooper Radler, Caleb Roche, Kolbe Tessarzik

Dominating the Empire State

It all started right here in New York. The Magnificent Mangos quickly established themselves as a powerhouse team, proving that Capital Region students have what it takes to lead the pack.

  • #1 in New York State for Robot Skills: They achieved the highest combined Robot Skills score (356) of any middle school team in the entire state at Worlds.
  • Top Tier in NY Match Play: Their consistent high scoring earned them a #2 ranking among all New York teams in the Teamwork Challenge at Worlds.

Making Their Mark on the Nation

Competing against hundreds of the best teams from across the United States, the Mangos didn’t just keep up—they excelled, placing themselves firmly in the top tier of national competitors.

Top 10% USA Robot Skills (Rank 22nd)
Top 15% USA Teamwork (Rank 41st)
  • Elite Drivers & Programmers: Their skills were balanced and formidable, ranking 14th in the USA for Driver Skills (Top 6.1%) and 17th for Programming Skills (Top 7.5%).
  • National Contenders: Their average match score of 141 points placed them 41st in the nation within the highly competitive Research Division.

Shining on the World Stage

At the 2025 VEX IQ World Championship in Dallas, the Magnificent Mangos competed against the elite teams from around the globe. They proved that they belong among the very best in the world.

Global Performance Highlights

  • Top 12% Worldwide in Robot Skills: Finishing with a global rank of 38th out of 325 teams, they are among the elite top tier of robot operators and programmers worldwide.
  • Global Competitors: Their division performance secured them a global ranking of 73rd out of 412 teams in match play, placing them in the top 17.7% of all teams at the World Championship.

This incredible showing is more than just a list of stats—it’s a story of dedication, innovation, and the bright future of STEM in our community. We are incredibly proud of the Magnificent Mangos and excited to see them continue to inspire the next generation of leaders!

🏛️ Community Recognition

Our program’s impact reaches beyond the field. We are honored that all our teams have been formally recognized by:

  • Congressman Paul Tonko
  • Albany County Executive Dan McCoy

Thank you to our representatives for supporting the next generation of leaders!


Building a Legacy: The 2026 Roster

Meet the teams defining the future of STEAMwhiz

Our students hail from all over the Capital Region, including Guilderland, Colonie, Delmar, Schenectady, Niskayuna, Albany, Watervliet, Latham, Cohoes, Voorheesville, and Rotterdam.

Returning Champions

🥭 Magnificent Mangos

They’re Back! After their world-class performance, the Mangos have returned for the 2026 season and are already off to an amazing start. With their eyes set on new heights in the “Mix & Match” game, they continue to lead by example in the lab.

2026 Team Members: Cooper Radler, Caleb Roche, Kolbe Tessarzik, Xavier Pulecio

Team Dunk-IN with their championship banner

🏆 Team Dunk-IN

Winning the Create Award at local qualifiers and the prestigious Design Award at the state level, Team Dunk-IN stood out for their unique robot design and outstanding engineering notebook. Their achievements set a high standard for STEAMwhiz, earning the first banner to hang in the lab!

Team Members: Rithika Boosa, Maansi Chamakura, Sriniket Muthyala

🌪️ Team Vortex

Competing against older students, this elementary school team showed remarkable promise and tenacity. Despite challenges, their performance was impressive, demonstrating significant potential for future competitions. Team Vortex was officially recognized by Senator Patricia Fahy’s office for their outstanding representation of Capital Region youth.

Team Members: Benjamin Epstein, Daniel Epstein, Lorcan O’Loughlin, Elle Pulecio, Tegan Waters

🌯 2025 Season Spotlight: Team Purple Burritos

We also want to recognize the incredible achievements of the Purple Burritos during the 2025 season. Known for their engineering creativity, they built five different robots, each with unique designs, and their innovative approach led them to qualify for the state tournament!

2025 Team Members: Waliy Ashary, Austin Merrill, Xavier Pulecio

Welcome New Challengers

🍉 The Blue Watermelons

We are thrilled to welcome our newest elementary team, the Blue Watermelons! These students have trained extensively in our Robotics Enrichment Program and are now officially stepping up to the plate. They are ready to rock the “Mix & Match” challenge with high energy and fresh skills!

Team Members: Orlin Bogdanov, Aadhya Pilli, Aaryan Bhavanam, Rishik Patlolla

Blue Watermelons working on their robot Students strategizing for Mix & Match

Interested in forming a team for your school or students?

Contact Us to Start a Team

© 2025 Steamwhiz. All rights reserved.

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Winter 2025 Newsletter

Steamwhiz Winter Update 2025

STEAMwhiz

Preparing for Tomorrow’s Future, Today

Winter 2025 Program Update

A Note of Gratitude

Dr. J, Ms. Allie, and the Steamwhiz family holding Baby Cole, smiling warmly

This season, our hearts are overflowing. As many of you know, we welcomed our newest little scientist, Baby Cole, to the family this Fall!

In the spirit of this Holiday Season, we wanted to pause and share how incredibly thankful we are for YOU—our Steamwhiz community. Your support, energy, and trust in us to guide your children’s curiosity mean the world to us. Thank you for being part of our extended family and helping us build this dream.

– With love, Dr. J & Ms. Allie

🚨 JUST ANNOUNCED: Official Partnership with UAlbany CNSE

UAlbany CNSE Logo

We are incredibly proud to announce that Steamwhiz has officially partnered with the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE) at UAlbany!

Read today’s full press release to learn how we are working together to build the pipeline earlier, from K-8 to a Top-Tier 1 research institution, for the next generation of leaders.

Read Full Press Release

Winter Semester: Take Learning to the Next Level

A focused student using a laptop to code a small robot

Update: A few seats have just opened up!

We believe our local schools and dedicated teachers are the true heroes laying the foundation for student success. At STEAMwhiz, we are proud to build upon their hard work, taking learning to the next level. Our professional-grade labs in Applied Science, AI, 3D Printing, and Robotics provide the hands-on experience that turns classroom concepts into real-world innovation.

View Academic Year Programs

A Minecraft Movie

The ornate interior of the historic Palace Theatre Albany
Come watch the Minecraft Movie on the big screen with us!

FREE Event at The Palace Theatre Albany

Experience the game on the big screen! Did you know the Palace Theatre was the 3rd largest movie theatre in the world when it opened in 1931? Its Austrian Baroque design makes it a truly magical place for a movie.

Steamwhiz will be there! Come early for fun, hands-on educational activities before the show starts. Plus, we have free tickets waiting for you at the lab!

Event Details & Info

Winter Break Camp: Minecraft Ice & Inertia

Kids laughing and holding up a 3D printed winter-themed project

Update: A few seats have just opened up!

Dec 29th & 30th | Physics + Minecraft

  • Junior Physicists (Ages 6-8): Build custom “Friction Racers” and design a Minecraft Winter World.
  • Senior Engineers (Ages 9-13): Engineer real Hovercrafts and code a functional Minecraft Hockey Rink!
Secure a Mini Camp Spot

World Championship Success & New Season Launch!

The Magnificent Mangos Team at the World Championship

We are thrilled to celebrate the Magnificent Mangos (Team 78454B), who finished last season ranked #1 in NY State and Top 12% in Skills! Their success, alongside our veteran teams Dunk-IN and Vortex, paves the way for our biggest year yet.

Introducing the 2026 VEX IQ Game: Mix & Match!

This year’s challenge, Mix & Match, requires teams to build Stacks using Pins and Beams. Teams earn points by connecting pieces, including multiple colors in each stack, and placing them into Goals that match the stack’s color! We welcome our newest team, the Blue Watermelons, as they join our returning competitors Mangos, Dunk-IN, and Vortex, in tackling this demanding challenge!

Want to see the new game? Our inaugural CRC robotics showcase is just around the corner! The event is free and open to the public, and we encourage students and those interested in starting a team to come!

CRC Robotics Event

Sponsor Thank You & Raffle Update

Thank You to Our STEM Robotics Day Sponsors

We have officially drawn the winners from our STEM Robotics Day fundraiser. All winners have been contacted directly regarding prize fulfillment.

A Massive Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Your generous support helped make this year’s STEM Robotics Day a huge success. Please support these local businesses who invest in our future engineers:

View Prizes & Raffle Winners

Give the Gift of the Future

Digital gift card design glowing with technological elements

Plan Ahead for Summer: We are planning to team up with Tawasentha Recreational Camp again to offer a complete, full-day “Mind and Body” workout—morning STEM innovation followed by outdoor recreation.

Holiday Special ($10 Bonus)

Get a $260 value card for just $250. This stacks with Early Bird discounts!

Purchase Gift Cards

Transforming Learning

Students engaging in hands-on project based learning

Unlocking Your Child’s Potential

In today’s digital age, success often looks effortless. Our latest article explores how project-based learning and the “valley of growth” help children build resilience and true confidence. Discover why starting early is crucial and how we transform passive learning into active innovation.

Read Full Article

Holiday Shop: Kits & Swag

Ultimate Holiday Robotics Bundle and a cozy Steamwhiz hoodie

Looking for the perfect gift to keep them building over break? We have a limited amount of the official Lego Technic Robotic Kits we use in the lab available for purchase!

Plus, stay warm this winter with our Steamwhiz Swag Sweaters and hoodies.

Visit the Merch Store

Capital Region Classic (CRC)

Free & Open to the Public

The inaugural VEX IQ Robotics event is coming! Watch the Mix & Match game animation above to see the excitement in store.

Come watch for free!

For Students & Parents

You are Invited!

Come see the Capital Region’s best roboticists in action! Witness high-level engineering, cheer on the teams, and get inspired to start your own journey in the “sport for the mind.”

Calling all teachers & admins: Curious about starting a team? This is the perfect place to see it live and chat with the STEAM team. We’ll give you help getting your team off to a running start!

Call for Sponsors

Support the future leaders of tomorrow! Join founding sponsor the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE) at UAlbany in making this event a success.

View CRC Details

STEAMwhiz x BOCES NY

STEAMwhiz is now a BOCES NY Provider

We are proud to announce that STEAMwhiz is officially a BOCES NY Enrichment Provider!

We believe that our local schools and dedicated teachers are the true heroes building the foundation for our children’s success. This partnership allows us to stand beside them, bringing our cutting-edge Applied AI, Robotics, and 3D Engineering labs directly into the classroom. Together, we are empowering students with the high-tech skills they need to thrive in the future workforce.

Calling all Parents, Principals, and PTAs!

Let’s join forces to enhance your school’s STEM curriculum. Click below to learn how we can bring STEAMwhiz to your district through BOCES funding.

View BOCES Program Details

Don’t Miss the Next Big Announcement!

From summer camp registrations to championship results, be the first to know what’s happening at Steamwhiz.

Sign Up for Updates

© 2025 Steamwhiz. All rights reserved.

1 Charles Park, Guilderland, NY 12084

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Transforming Learning: Unlocking Your Child’s Potential

Discover how project-based education with hands-on, innovative approaches can inspire growth and resilience. Are you ready to ignite your child’s passion for learning and help them tackle challenges with confidence? Let’s share ideas and embark on this transformative journey together!

Not your childhood

In today’s society, there’s immense pressure to make achievements look effortless, especially in the digital age where platforms like YouTube showcase polished, seemingly easy successes. This often hides the extensive work, dedication, and challenges behind the scenes. For children, this can create a distorted view of what it takes to accomplish great things. They might believe that success should come quickly and without struggle, leading to frustration and discouragement when faced with real-world challenges.

Emphasizing the importance of perseverance, hard work, and resilience helps students understand that every polished video or successful project involves significant effort, planning, and sometimes failure (i.e., failing forward). Encouraging transparency about the process and celebrating the journey, not just the end result, fosters a growth mindset and academic resilience.

Valley of Growth

At STEAMwhiz, we leverage our smaller class sizes and flipped classrooms to create innovative approaches that reshape the traditional classroom experience. By providing guided lab-type instruction to after-school activities, students are given the opportunity to engage in hands-on, meaningful projects during our labs that culminate in tangible accomplishments each semester. This method fosters active learning and encourages students to take ownership of their educational journey.

Our Educators leverage the zone of proximal development (ZPD) to guide students through the “valley of growth.” This concept emphasizes the importance of social interaction and guided learning. By providing the right support and scaffolding, educators help students tackle tasks that are just beyond their current abilities, promoting maximum cognitive growth and development.

Traversing this valley can be uncomfortable, as it requires students to stretch their capabilities and face challenges head-on. However, this discomfort is a necessary part of a healthy learning process. It helps students build resilience, develop problem-solving skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Structure & Starting Early

Starting the process young (6 yrs old) is crucial to leverage a student’s innate curiosity. When they are young, children want to learn everything around them and absorb information with ease. By providing numerous positive experiences early on, educators can ignite a lifelong passion for learning. The stability of a regularly scheduled class helps develop neural pathways, fostering confidence and lighting the embers for growth. This consistent structure allows students to feel secure and supported, making them more willing to take risks and explore new ideas.

We hope this article can help family’s springboard into fun and exciting learning experiences for their young learners. We would love to hear about how you integrate these concepts and others in your student’s educational journey!

On Deck

In our next post, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of neurodiversity and explore how our small class sizes and tailored curriculum can provide unique opportunities for students to learn and grow. These approaches allow students to explore their interests and strengths in ways that are often not possible in traditional school settings. Stay tuned to discover how we celebrate and support the diverse talents and abilities of all our learners!

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More Summer Camp Seats!

We’ve opened another section of our STEM summer camp! 🥳

We are committed to serving our local students and community, and we couldn’t have done this without your support. Thank you for trusting us with your children’s education and enrichment. Let’s make this summer unforgettable with more opportunities for learning, fun, and growth!

📅 New Class Details:

Minecraft STEM Summer Camp:

– 6 weeks

– Intermediate-Adv (9-14 years old): 1-4PM, 6 Seats

– Beginner (6-8 years old): 9AM-12PM, 6 Seats

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Register now and secure your spot. Let’s keep the excitement going and make this the best summer yet! 🌞

steamwhiz.com/summer

#SummerCamp#STEM#CommunityFirst#Education#SummerFun

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Spring Newsletter 2025

Lots going on at STEAMwhiz! Check out the TOC below to navigate this edition of our Newsletter.

Robotics Team Needs Your Help!

Looking towards 2025-2026 STEAMwhiz programs

Tawasentha Park Registration Open

SW Robotics Team Needs Your Help!

We need Sponsors for our Robotics Team to go to the World Championship!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-steamwhiz-robotics-teams-go-to-vex-world-championship

We had a fantastic VeX IQ robotics season! All 4 teams qualified for the State Tournament, where we brought home several awards. Our team, Magnificent Mangos, has earned a spot in the World Championship in Dallas, TX. This is a life-changing opportunity for these students to compete at the largest Robotics Competition in the world.

If you know of a company or philanthropist who would be interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact us. Check out our GoFundMe page to make a tax-deductible donation and make a positive difference in our community today!

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Looking towards 2025-2026

Last year was an incredible year of growth, and although we expanded our offerings during the 2024-2025 Academic Year and STEM Camps, they quickly filled up! We expect 2025-2026 to be even more significant. 🥳 To better support our community, we have been on the lookout for fantastic educators who believe in our mission to address gaps in the education system and prepare students for their future EARLY. We are thrilled to introduce our new STEAMwhiz Educators to the “STEAM TEAM,” who like us, are dedicated to positively impacting our young students’ educational journey.

Vera Kraev

Vera is our resident math enthusiast! She is a Mathematics major pursuing her master’s in Data Science and plans to join the PhD program at UAlbany soon. She began to develop her teaching acumen as a Mathnasium tutor and has gained even more profound experience as a STEM educator under the guidance of Program Director Allie.

In addition to her math abilities, she excels as a Minecraft Modder and pro skier. What sets her apart in our eyes is her incredible dedication to making a meaningful impact on our students’ lives!

Daysia Davis

Please join us in welcoming a fantastic new member to the ‘STEAM TEAM’! Daysia is passionate about the environment and how human intervention can help conserve our ecosystem for future generations. Whether paddleboarding with her pups on the water or aiding sustainability efforts at SPAC, the environment is always on her mind.

She is currently shadowing Program Director Allie, exploring all the wonderful ways we do things at STEAMwhiz! It’s thrilling to see her start interacting with our students. We look forward to her sharing valuable insights from her Environmental Studies degree at SUNY, which will significantly enhance the curriculum and enrich our students’ learning experience at the lab.

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Academic Year 2025-2026

Registration will open early this year for our SEP and REP labs, targeting June for our returning students. We plan to extend our time offerings starting at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For our families traveling from afar, we will continue to offer the SEP on the second Saturday of the month. Check out more details below.

STEM Enrichment Program (SEP)

The SEP progression will continue as students advance from beginner (pre-readers), to Intermediate, to Advanced, and we focus on one of the most essential resources on the planet. Stay tuned for more details where we will dive deep into physics, chemistry, the environment, and much more🤩   

Robotic Enrichment Program (REP)

Current students, get ready! REP 2 is on the horizon, where we will dive deeper into advanced topics such as gear ratios, drive trains, sensors, and build even more incredible and complex robots. New students will join us in the REP 1 labs, where they will get to sink their teeth into Lego Robotics, coding, and much more.

VeX IQ Robotics Competition

We have many returning faces and some new. For returning students, expect to step it up a notch as we investigate sharing motors using power take-off (PTO) and advanced control systems such as PID. New students, get ready to dive into the exciting world of robotics! Emails for registration will go out in April. Spring Prep classes will start the first Saturday in May. If you have any questions, send us a message at [email protected]

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Tawasentha Park Registration Open

Are you signed up for STEAMwhiz’s Afternoon Summer Camp Session (1:00 – 4:00 PM)? It’s time to register for the Town of Guilderland’s Tawasentha Park ½ Day Summer Camp!!

Full-Day campers will participate in the morning ½ Day camp session at Guilderland’s beautiful Tawasentha Park. Afterward, they will be transported by Guilderland School District busing to the STEAMwhiz Lab HQ for lunch and a much-needed break before transitioning to their afternoon program from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

By partnering with the Town of Guilderland (TOG), we have created an incredible opportunity for our students who require full-day care. Now, they can also participate in the enriching, brain-building STEAMwhiz camps that foster creativity, learning, and exploration throughout the day!

Steps to Register for Tawasentha Park ½ Day Camp:

1 – Register for Tawasentha Camp:

Go here to register for their camp https://guilderlandny.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx

  1. Make sure to register for the week(s) that coincide with your STEAMwhiz weeks (1-6)
  2. $100 per week

2 – Register for Bus Transportation:

Bus Name: Flounder

In the allergy section, state that the student will be taking bus to STEAMwhiz

$20 per week, for transportation from your home to the park and then from the park to STEAMwhiz.  If you plan on utilizing the bus only from the park to STEAMwhiz, please call the TOG Parks & Rec Dept. for cost adjustment

518-456-3150

**Make sure you register for both your week(s) and transportation needs. The Guilderland website separates them. *See the highlighted green circle in the image above.

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February 2025 Newsletter

All STEAMwhiz VeX Teams go to States 🤩

🚀 February Break Maze Camp was a Blast!

April Break Camp Codes Mazes 🧠

🌞 Summer Camp Early Bird ends this Month

If you would like to stay up-to-date with our activities, classes, teaching guidance, etc., the best way is to sign up for our newsletter by creating an account here.

All STEAMwhiz VeX Teams go to NY State Champsionship🤩

We had our final VEX IQ qualifier this past weekend. Team Magnificent Mangos showcased their incredible spirit in the Team Challenge, narrowly missing victory in sudden death elimination by just one goal. 🎉 Their determination shone through as they excelled in the Skills Challenge, winning and bringing home a well-deserved trophy for their outstanding efforts. 🏆 All our other teams made significant strides in enhancing their robots, gaining valuable experience even though they weren’t fully prepared for competition this time. 🤖 They’ve learned an important lesson and are passionately devoted to their preparation for the State Championship in Syracuse on March 5th. Each team will strive for one of the three sought-after bids to the World Championships. 🌎 We stand proud of their journey and all they have achieved this year! If you want to inspire and challenge your student to join one of our teams, use the button below to learn more. 🚀

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🚀February Break Camp was a Blast

It was wonderful to see our students during the break, along with some new faces! 😊 In just 15 hours, they learned a great deal about size and scale, measurements, physics, 3D printing, raced Balloon Cars, and launched rockets. 🛠️ Additionally, they used CAD to design and fabricate their own gravity mazes! 🎉 We cannot stress enough how important it is to provide these fantastic experiences early, as they allow students to be creative, solve problems, face challenges, and develop confidence in their abilities. 💪 These experiences set them up for academic success in the future! 🎓

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April Break Camp Codes Mazes 🧠

In April, we will dive deeper into the exciting Mazes topic, teaching game design to craft your very own captivating maze runner games! 🎮 While the Intermediate/Advanced Camp is currently full, we still have a few spots available in the Beginners Camp. 🌟 Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions; we are fully dedicated to ensuring the success of each of our students! 🚀 Your journey starts here! ✨

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🌞Summer Camp Early Bird Discount ends this Month

We are excited about the excellent learning that will take place this summer! Check out the wonderful Minecraft creations below that kids designed and 3D printed during our 3D printing weeks! The early bird special ends this month. Intermediate/Advance camps are 95% full with only have a few seats left. The Beginner Camps are over 50% full. We do fill up so don’t hesitate to asks us any questions you may have. Use the button below to learn more today!

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VeX IQ 2025-2026

Welcome! We are excited about opening up recruiting for our robotics teams 🤩. Below are the essential details for our upcoming STEAMwhiz (SW) VeX IQ Robotics Competition Program for 2025-2026. The time and cost of our robotics program are similar to that of competitive Soccer, Ice Hockey, and Gymnastics. They will be around other high achievers and get all the benefits of a team sport, but in addition, they will learn STEM-related career skills to prepare them for an AI future. Under the guidance of Dr. J, a skilled physicist, engineer, and educator, your students will receive specialized instruction to equip them for this thrilling opportunity. Click here to check out the results from one of our previous competitions.

If you are interested, kindly use the button below to complete the interest form. For our new families, you must attend the orientation before being considered. Please note that the interest form only expresses your interest and does NOT guarantee your place on the team. Spots are limited and available by invitation only. Invitations will be issued following the Vex IQ Orientation. To see the calendar for the entire season, click here -> VeX Calendar. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us; we are here to help.

SW Competitive Track

This track is for focused students who want to compete at the highest levels, including State Finals and possibly competing at the World Competition. These teams will have all the materials necessary to construct 2 concurrent robots – 1 prototype, 1 stable build. The extra time and advanced training with Dr J over the summer will allow them to build 4-6 versions of their robot solution for the challenge.

Program Schedule

Spring 2025 | VeX Summer Camp 2025 | Fall 2025 – Winter 2026

Total hours

250+ hrs

Required SW Courses

Orientation | Spring Prep | VeX Summer Camp | VeX Core

SW Recreational Track

This track is for interested students in exploring the world of robotics competitions. It is very possible to make it far in the competition, and still a significant time commitment. See more details about the required course below. These teams will have all the materials necessary to construct 1 complete robot. They will have the training and time to build 2-3 versions of their robot solution for the challenge.

Program Schedule

Spring 2025 | Fall 2025 – Winter 2026

Total hours

150 – 175 hrs

Required SW Courses

Orientation | Spring Prep | Vex Core

SW Vex IQ Orientation

This is for our new families thinking about joining VeX. Dr J will provide an overview of VeX IQ Robotics and details about our program. You will also get to see our current students and ask them about their builds and experience 🤩 Once you have filled out the interest form, I send out a follow email with details. For our current families in the program, you do not need to attend this.

February 7th @ 6 pm – 7 pm

SW Spring Prep

This is a crash course in vex robotics and essential concepts. It’s a great way to get your feet wet before jumping in! New students will learn the fundamentals of VeX Robotics. Returning Students will learn about the NEW game challenge for the season and begin strategizing and building their robots.

Recreational & Competitive Track ( 8 days, Total of 24 hrs)

Saturdays 2 pm – 5 pm

May 10th – June 28th

SW Summer Advanced Robotics Camp

This summer camp is where the competitive teams get the edge! It’s a boot camp where they get to work with Dr J directly to learn about advanced robotics concepts and start applying them to their robots 🤩

Competitive Track Only ( 10 days, Total of 60 hrs)

Full Day | Mon – Fri 9 am – 4 pm

Aug 11th – Aug 22nd | 2 weeks

SW Vex Core Program

This is the meat and potatoes of the STEAMwhiz (SW) VeX Program. There is a schedule, internal competitions, engineering notebooks, building, coding, and more!

Recreational & Competitive Track ( 44 days, Total 132 hrs)

Mon & Fri 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Sat 2 pm – 5 pm as needed before competitions (4 – 8 days, Total 24 hrs)

Sep 15th, 2025 – Mar 6th 2025

Breaks – Thanksgiving & Winter/New Years

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STEAMwhiz Teams Shine at VEX IQ Robotics Tournament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Guilderland, NY – January 20, 2025 – STEAMwhiz – The STEM Learning Lab, a leading STEM education center in the Capital District, is thrilled to announce the outstanding performance of its teams at the recent VEX IQ Robotics Tournament in Queensbury, NY. Competing for the first time, three out of four STEAMwhiz teams won, earning them a spot at the 12th Annual Northern New York State VeX IQ Championships, showcasing their incredible potential and dedication.

The VEX IQ competition is a prestigious global event that inspires young minds through hands-on, student-centered learning. With over 24,000 teams from more than 60 countries participating, it is one of the largest and most influential robotics competitions in the world1. The competition, supported by top companies and organizations, including NASA, Google, and Texas Instruments, encourages students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills by designing, building, and programming robots to tackle complex challenges. This year’s local qualifying at Queensbury was fantastic, featuring 25 teams and over 100 students from the local region with multiple years of experience. With the amazing field, the achievements of STEAMwhiz’s teams are even more remarkable as they were the only rookie organization competing for the first time. Out of 25 teams, with only 6 spots available to qualify for the next level state regional competition, STEAMwhiz achieved a hat trick by taking 3 of the 6 spots.

Team Magnificent Mangos received the Outstanding Design Award for their innovative and original robot design, which impressed the judges and secured their spot in the state finals. Their creativity and strategic thinking were key factors in their success. The team also finished 3rd in the Total Skills challenge, showcasing their well-rounded abilities.

Saaqib Maraicayer, Cooper Radler, Caleb Roche, Kolbe Tessarzik

Team Dunk-In earned the CREATE Award, recognizing their strategic approach and use of advanced robotics elements such as pneumatics and an H-drive system. Despite being one of the smaller teams, their hard work and ingenuity stood out, earning them a place in the state finals. Their dedication and perseverance were evident as they refined their robot multiple times leading up to the event.

Rithika Boosa, Maansi Chamakura, Sriniket Muthyala

Team Purple Burritos demonstrated exceptional resilience and dedication, overcoming significant challenges to achieve a stunning upset in the Team Competition Challenge. Their perseverance and teamwork were truly inspiring, earning them a well-deserved spot in the State Finals. The team’s ability to handle pressure and perform under challenging conditions was commendable.

Waliy Ashary, Austin Merrill, Simon Polishchuk, Xavier Pulecio

Team Vortex, mainly consisting of 4th graders, excelled against competitors up to 8th grade, securing second place in the Team Challenge and achieving the event’s highest score. They were one of only two elementary and youngest teams at the event. Although they did not qualify for the finals this time, their potential is undeniable, and they are poised to become a dominant force in future competitions. Team Vortex will compete again on February 22nd at Queensbury to clinch their spot in the state finals.

Benjamin Epstein, Daniel Epstein, Lorcan O’Loughlin, Elle Pulecio, Tegan Waters

Vortex & BrainBots High Score of Event

As the teams prepare for the State Regional Competition in Syracuse on March 5th, they are gearing up to face even tougher competition. Teams like La Salle from Niagara Falls, who have been competing for 10 years and have gone to the world championships multiple times, will be among the formidable opponents2. Despite being the underdogs, STEAMwhiz’s teams are determined to rise to the challenge and demonstrate their innovative spirit and teamwork.

The importance of robotics and AI in shaping the future job market cannot be overstated. According to the World Economic Forum’s latest report, advancements in AI, robotics, and automation are expected to transform 86% of businesses by 2030, creating millions of new jobs in fields such as AI, self-driving automation, and other emerging technologies3. These trends highlight the critical need for STEM education programs like those offered at STEAMwhiz, which prepare students for the jobs of the future.

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements,” said Dr. Javier F. Pulecio, Co-Founder and Robotics Program Director of STEAMwhiz. “AI is changing the job landscape from a knowledge-based economy to one that emphasizes creativity, adaptability, and teamwork. Programs like VEX IQ are essential in nurturing these skills, prioritizing innovation, strategic thinking, and working in a team. Our students’ success at the event is a testament to these skills and the supportive community of parents, teachers, and mentors. We look forward to seeing them grow and what they will accomplish next.”

STEAMwhiz is committed to nurturing the talents of young learners and providing them with opportunities to excel in STEM fields. Our primary mission is to nurture creative problem-solving skills and adaptability to prepare students for an AI-driven future. The center’s participation in the VEX IQ competition highlights its dedication to fostering innovation, teamwork, and a passion for learning.

Check out the entire Vex IQ Teams Challenge on Queensbury Schools YouTube channel – Q-Tube. Thank you to tournament director Eric Wood of Finch Paper, the Queensbury School District, and all the volunteers for making the event spectacular.

You can sign up to receive the STEAMwhiz – The STEM Learning Lab free newsletters by registering here, or learn more about their academic programs, break camps, and competitive robotics teams.

Contact: Allie Pulecio, Co-Founder & Director of Programs, STEAMwhiz – The STEM Learning Lab

[email protected] (518) 512-9595

1 About VEX – IQ – VEX Robotics

2 LaSalle Prep students gear up to compete in World Robotics Championship

3 The Future of Jobs Report 2025 | World Economic Forum