2025-26 Big Island VEX IQ League

General Info

Mission Statement / Vision

The Big Island VEX IQ League's mission is to provide numerous opportunities for Hawaii Island elementary and middle school students in the Hawaii area to compete in local robotics tournaments. We aspire to provide a strong organizational structure that prepares students to succeed at state-level tournaments, resources and workshops that help students to better understand the engineering and design process, and opportunities to network and develop authentic relationships that transcend the walls of a student's participating school or club.

LATE Arrivals

Teams must be checked in 45 minutes prior to the start of the qualification matches so that the match schedule may be printed. Teams must contact the event partner if they are running late or they will be removed from the team list for the event. 

Team Payment

Teams must be paid in full before the first qualifying event. Teams not paid at this time may be dropped at the event partner's discretion to allow teams in from the wait list. If you are unable to meet this deadline we will work with your organization to arrange payment at a later date. Please email the tournament coordinator Jon Kitagawa.

League Overview

Scrimmage + Exploratory Workshop (September 27)

This year, we have moved the scrimmage event to a separate FREE event, not part of the league. Teams are invited to bring their robot in whatever state it's in and participate in a “practice competition” format and get a feel for what it’s like to participate in the VEX Robotics Competition. We will also offer a workshop focused on the engineering design process and notebooking as well as introducing you to the resources the RECF and VEX Hawaii has created to support teams this season. The league will provide “demo bots” for teams who want to participate in the scrimmage and don’t have a working robot ready to go!

NOTE: Separate registation is required for attendance.

Ranking Session #1 (October 25, 2025 @ Waiakea Inter), Ranking Session #2 (November 15, 2025 @ Hilo Inter), Ranking Session #3 (December 6, 2025 @ Waiakea Inter)

These are ranking events in which teams will compete in the VEX IQ Teamwork Challenge for overall tournament ranking/placement in finals. Teams should expect to play up to six qualification matches during these events. Driver and Programming skills will not be offered at this event. Workshops targeted towards the needs of the league will be offered after each session and will be optional to attend; examples include programming help, notebooking, the interview process, etc. 

Finals (January 10, 2025 @ Waiakea Inter)

An abbreviated ranking session will take place prior to the finals matches. Teams should expect to play up to four qualification matches prior to finals seeding. This is the league finals where teams will be seeded and compete one last time to post their best scores with their alliance partners. Teams will also submit the engineering notebooks and complete team interviews conducted by industry professionals in STEM Fields. This event will also offer Driver and Programming Skills matches which will be submitted for overall state rankings. 

Team Expectations / Code of Conduct

We expect the following behavior and ethical standards at all REC Foundation-sanctioned events. 

• Act with integrity, honesty, and reliability
• Behave in a respectful and professional manner with event staff, volunteers, and fellow competitors
• Exhibit maturity and class when dealing with difficult and stressful situations
• Respect individual differences
• Follow all rules as listed in the current game manual(s)
• Student-centered teams with limited adult assistance
• Safety as a top priority
• Good sportsmanship, which includes supporting your alliance partners

These expectations apply to all team members and all adults associated with a team including, but not limited to, teachers, mentors and parents. Judges will consider team conduct and ethics when determining awards. 

With regards to adult interference -- If confirmed by judges / inspector / event partner, the team will be disqualified from all awards. 

Grade Level: All

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: All In-Person Judging