Two BCSC VEX IQ robotics teams have earned their place on the international stage, but need a little help from the community so they can compete in the VEX Robotics World Championship in May.
Central Middle School’s Central Cyborgs and Smith Elementary’s Sonic Cyborgs earned bids to Dallas for the VEX Robotics World Championship, set for May 6 to May 14. It would be the Central Cyborgs first trip and the third consecutive bid earned by the Sonic Cyborgs.
But the cost of attending includes expenses for travel, hotel accommodations and event registration.
Those able and interested in donating can do so by writing a check made payable to L. F. Smith Elementary (4505 Waycross Drive, Columbus, IN 47203), with 100% of the donations going towards helping send the young innovators to Dallas. Adults helping organize the trip are asking for the memo line to note “VEX Robotics Trip.”
The financing to send both teams to the competition are both being run through Smith, according to organizers.
Those who wish to pay by credit card can also do so at: raise-365.com/ft/e0bi-181d/921979.
If donating that way, 80% of donations made on the site will go to the teams and 20% going to Raise 365, according to organizers.
The Central Cyborgs and Sonic Cyborgs earned their bids after their performance during the 2025 Indiana Robotics State Championship in March.
BCSC sent a record eight teams to the state championship this year— five teams from Central and three from Smith.
They were the following:
Central Middle School teams:
- 47201A – CYBERSAURS
- 47201B – Engineers of the Round Table
- 47201C – Central Cyborgs
- 47201X – VEXPERTS
- 47201Z – 1X6 Gear Ratios
L. Frances Smith Teams:
- 59813A – Super Sonics
- 59813B – Sonic Cyborgs
- 59813Y – Sonic Circuits
BCSC sent seven teams to the state championship last year after sending one in 2023.
VEX IQ is a robotics program designed for elementary and middle school students, where teams build and program robots to compete in a series of challenges. These include skill challenges, where robots are tested for their precision and control, and teamwork challenges, where teams collaborate in alliances with other teams to score points by completing specific tasks. Unlike battle bots, the focus is on cooperation and strategy, as teams work together to achieve the highest score.
BCSC has hosted three major VEX IQ robotics tournaments this year: December’s Super Saturday Holiday Hussle, held at Northside Middle School, Jan. 18’s RoboRodeo at Columbus East High School and most recently the RoboRex Showdown on March 1 at Northside.
