The university served as the host site for 1,200 attendees of a contest that supports and encourages STEM education in high school.
Twenty-nine high school teams competed in robotics design, building, and racing for a regional competition at Elon University led by a nonprofit organization that helps young people discover and develop a passion for science, engineering, technology and math.
Approximately 1,200 attendees visited campus from March 21-22 for the 2026 Elon University District FIRST Robotics Competition.
“Our university community supports events that develop students’ STEM skills and promote teamwork, problem solving and perseverance as they carry out their project work,” said Scott Wolter, associate professor of engineering and chair of the Department of Engineering. “We encourage learning at all levels as students explore what discipline of study excites them most.”
In addition to matches and practice sessions, attendees toured campus, enjoyed an ice cream social and explored the engineering learning spaces in Innovation Hall and Founders Hall.
Robots competing during the FIRST Robotics Competition qualification match.
Team with their robot at the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Robot at the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Participant in the FIRST Robotics Competition
FIRST Robotics Competition
Participants in the FIRST Robotics Competition
Robots competing at the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Controlling their robot during the FIRST Robotics Competition match.
Team with their robot at the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Robot at the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Controlling their robot during the FIRST Robotics Competition qualification match.
Team with their robot at the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Robots competing during the FIRST Robotics Competition qualification match.
Controlling their robot during the FIRST Robotics Competition qualification match.
Robot competition during the FIRST Robotics Competition qualification match.
Eastbots (Team 4795) won the competition and will advance to the FIRST North Carolina Championship in Greensboro from April 10-12, 2026.
The FIRST Robotics Competition is a part of FIRST North Carolina, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping young people discover and develop a passion for science, engineering, technology and math.
Elon was selected as a host site after a nonprofit representative reached out to gauge the university’s interest in hosting the regional competition. Following internal discussions and planning, the Department of Engineering partnered with organizers to bring the event to campus.
“For the students who participated, we hope we conveyed Elon’s support of educational activities and academic offerings as we see tremendous growth in our engineering program,” Wolter said.