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Robotics Competition & STEM EDUCATION The Perfect Pair By Jasmin Wells
This May, Dallas will welcome the most thrilling and electrifying robotic showcase. The mammoth event that is the VEX Robotics World Championship lands at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) May 3rd to 12th. This event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for teams worldwide to come together to celebrate STEM and compete in incomparable competition matches.
This year's VEX IQ Challenge, a challenge for elementary and middle school students, is called Pitching In. The challenge tests students' robotic driving skills and programming skills. Aimed to foster student development of teamwork, critical thinking, project management, and communication skills, Pitching In helps develop the new generation of innovators and problem solvers.
It is an extreme honor to participate in the competition, and teams must pass multiple hurdles to qualify to compete. There are two avenues to qualify: the 2021-2022 VEX IQ Challenge and the 2021-2022 VEX Robotics Competitions. Only the top teams from each program continue to the World Championship.
The other avenue to qualify for the World Championship is through VEX Robotics Competitions. Throughout 2021-2022, middle and high school age teams competed in the exciting game, Tipping Point, to earn their spot. This challenge requires teams to prepare their robot and complete an objective of attaining a higher score than
their opponent by scoring rings, moving mobile goals to alliance zones, and elevating on platforms at the end of a match. Once qualified, the top teams attend and compete in the World Championship. "The REC Foundation provides an impactful combination development initiatives to increase student interest in technology and pursuing technology careers," said Dan Mantz, CEO of the REC Foundation. "This competition in Dallas will be our most exciting event yet, as we have waited two years to bring our diverse group of extraordinary students back together in-person." Kicking off May 3rd, four waves of students will make the trip to Dallas to compete. Each wave is comprised of different team programs ranging from elementary school through university levels. The athletes have the opportunity to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies, practices, and matches. "It is a privilege to host the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas," said Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission. "Youth sports and competitions drive our industry and shape our future landscape. Having the opportunity to have an event that encourages youth to pursue STEM education in Dallas was incredibly important to us." STEM is an integral element in our society. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in STEM will grow by 8.8% by 2028. The VEX Robotics World Championship and all the programs associated with it have a proven track record of encouraging students to pursue careers in those fields. This year's event promises to be one to remember as they return to in-person competitions in Dallas. To learn more about the VEX Robotics World Championship, visit VEX.com/VEXworlds
Volunteer for the VEX Robotics World Championship! Invite your family, friends, and supporters who’ll be joining us in Dallas to be part of the excitement in the stands and behind the scenes at the VEX Robotics World Championship by joining our Volunteer Team. We’re inviting everyone who will be joining us in Dallas to join us in delivering an outstanding event experience by donating a few hours of their time, patience, and kindness.
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APRIL 202 2 EDITION
The Impact of Equity A look inside the upcoming 50th anniversary of Title IX and the significance of women’s professional sports
By Alex Gilbert
In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed off on a new Education Amendment intended to prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs funded by federal financial aid. This amendment, Title IX, has evolved and faced many challenges since that time, but there is no argument that the amendment has had a lasting impact on gender equity in sports. Title IX originally came to fruition as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. The amendment had to travel through each of the three branches of government after the major author of the legislation, Representative Patsy T. Mink, introduced it to Congress. This legislation was not the first time Mink made history. She was the first woman of color elected to Congress and was a massive advocate for legislators supporting items to benefit the nation rather than just their districts. Mink's original language for what is now known as Title IX went through many trials, with government officials debating what qualifies as a federally funded educational program or activity. Many officials and schools fought against the decree for years, including several actual court cases. In 1988, the Supreme Court ruled that Title IX applied to any educational institution where students receive
federal funding or grants. Then-President, Ronald Reagan, attempted to halt the legislation, but it was ultimately passed in Congress. Congress's approval gave a two-thirds majority and the entire piece, called the Civil Rights Restoration Act, became law. Title IX has had a slow but steady impact over the last 50 years. Prior to Title IX, 70% of colleges predominantly held special intramural days for women to compete in sports rather than coordinate extramural teams year-round. These days, over 4,500 women's team sports are offered at NCAA institutions. The professional sports world has seen significant growth as well. Participating in sports at a young age significantly increases the likelihood of girls continuing even to professional levels. Professional sports leagues are seeing a significant leap in the U.S. as the popularity of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, WNBA, and other sports begin to get more coverage in the media. While women's sports have come a long way since 1972, there is still a long road ahead. Schools still offer a disproportionately higher number of opportunities for male athletes, and those numbers have an even larger disparity in marginalized communities. At the professional level, many women athletes have to play
overseas due to the lack of opportunities in the U.S. So what can be done? How do we keep making progress? Studies show the way to keep making progress is to feature more women athletes and teams in sports media. Sports media overwhelmingly features male-led sports over female. Additionally, championing sports programs in schools and the community for young girls encourages them to continue participating in sports past middle school. The interest in women's sports is there; it's just not well-represented. Passionate fans follow professional athletes throughout the year and not just when they're highly visible at events like the Olympics. Young girls are thrilled to watch their heroes and envision a future for themselves as a professional athlete. Organizations like the Dallas Wings are a prime example of how much passion everyone involved in women's sports has. With WNBA season almost upon us, the Wings have taken everything up a level, from their training to their social media platforms. The athletes themselves are regular ambassadors to the community, including supporting university athletics and the NCAA. The way forward is to keep moving. Show up for your local female athletic organizations. Go see your local WNBA team. Learn about that golfer whose name you keep hearing. We still have a long way to go, but there's hope for the future.
WNBA Season is right around the corner! Don’t miss the Dallas Wings at College Park Center in Arlington.
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APRIL 202 2 EDITION
the pros at home in may SUN 1
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LATEST FROM
THE COMMISSION DSC’s Monica Paul Featured on CEO Spotlight with David Johnson Professional sports franchises of all kinds currently call Dallas home with the list seemingly growing continuously. Then there are the one-off events that seem to be flocking to the area as well such as WrestleMania - and potentially even the World Cup. KRLD’s David Johnson spoke to Monica Paul, the Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission.
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MexTour 2022: Mexico vs. Nigeria MexTour returns to North Texas this May! You don’t want to miss this year’s match between Mexico and Nigeria as the Mexican National Team prepares for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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upcoming events mpionship
ld Cha VEX Robotics Wor May 3-12
nvention Center Dallas
Kay Bailey Hutchison Co
n
AT&T Byron Nelso May 9-15
TPC Craig Ranch
up
NEXT Generation C May 19-22 McInnish Park
ciation o s s A g in l w o B l a The Nation ion & Annual Conventio nship National Champ May 19-29
USA Bowl and DFW Area
Bowling Facilities
s
Clash of the Club May 20-22
nvention Center Dallas
Kay Bailey Hutchison Co
aseball Phillips 66 Big 12 b Championship May 25-29 Globe Life Field
MexTour Live May 25
AT&T Discovery District
MexTour May 28
AT&T Stadium
up
2022 Texas Super C May 28
Moneygram Soccer Park
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APRIL 202 2 E DITION
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