More than 70 teams from across the state will converge at Apollo High School for the Kentucky State VEX Robotics Championship on March 6-7, bringing students, coaches, and families to Owensboro for two days of STEM-focused competition.
The event will feature 38 high school teams and 32 middle school teams, with each group comprised of three to five students. While March 6 is reserved for non-spectator activities, the public is invited to attend the competition on March 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The championship represents the culmination of months of student preparation and regional qualifying events. Participants will compete in head-to-head matches, skills challenges, and design evaluations that emphasize strategy, teamwork, problem-solving, and technical expertise.
A college and career fair will also take place during the event, offering students direct exposure to post-secondary and workforce opportunities.
“The college and career fair is a great opportunity for our local competitors and visiting students,” said Jonathan Leohr, Apollo High School engineering and computer science teacher, school technology coordinator, and VEX Robotics coach. “College matters, and this gives our kids a chance to meet colleges, ask real questions, and see what’s possible. By building this into the competition day, students get uninterrupted time to explore their next steps while they’re already engaged in STEM and problem-solving.”
The fair is also designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world career paths in engineering, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Visit Owensboro is partnering with regional groups to extend the event’s impact even further.
“This event allows us to connect robotics programs with local businesses that operate in these same technical and engineering fields,” said Teresa Jones, destination account executive with Visit Owensboro. “It’s a great opportunity to match top-notch young talent with companies that are looking to grow their future workforce. By collaborating with the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, we’re helping turn a statewide competition into a meaningful win for our community.”
For more details, visit the Kentucky VEX State Championship 2026 website.
