HEADED TO THE WORLDS?
Award-winning Winecoff robotics teams need your help
Winecoff 's award-winning Tech Titans.
Winecoff 's award-winning Galaxy Grinders.
Winecoff 's award-winning The Taco Nators.
Three of Winecoff Elementary's VEX IQ Robotics teams have qualified for the 2026 VEX World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri — an extraordinary achievement for the school and our community, but now they need help.
The teams — 37500B Galaxy Grinders, 37500C Tech Titans, and 37500E The Taco Nators — earned all three VEX IQ Conference World Championship invitations awarded to Cabarrus County Schools this season. The VEX World Championship, hosted by the REC Foundation through the global VEX Robotics program, is the largest student robotics competition in the world, bringing together top teams from across the United States and around the globe.
Here is the link to make a donation to help the Winecoff robotics teams:
https://app.schoolfundr.org/fund/winecoff vex2026.
"Behind this accomplishment are 12 exceptional students in grades 3–5 who have dedicated more than 162 hours this season to designing, building, coding, testing, and competing," according to Stephanie Newbrough, VEX IQ Robotics Coach at Winecoff Elementary School.
"These young engineers have taken on roles such as builders, coders, drivers, and engineering notebook designers — many for the very first time — demonstrating perseverance, creativity and teamwork well beyond their years."
Winecoff Elementary is a Title I school, and the robotics teams reflect the rich diversity of the community. The students include boys and girls from a wide range of backgrounds, including participants in our Exceptional Children's program, English as a Second Language (ESL) program, and Dual Language program.
"Together, they have proven that innovation thrives when every voice has a seat at the table," Newbrough said. "Now, however, the teams face a new challenge: raising the funds necessary to attend the World Championship. Travel, lodging, meals, transportation and registration costs total between $35,000 and $40,000, with lodging and transportation deposits due by March 6, 2026 and all expenses must be paid in full by March 31. For many of our families, this cost is simply not feasible without community support."
A fundraiser has been launched to help ensure that every qualifying student has the opportunity to represent Cabarrus County on the world stage.Community members who would like to support the teams can donate at: https://app. schoolfundr.org/fund/ winecoffvex2026.
"This is truly a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for these students — not only to compete internationally, but to see firsthand that their hard work, talent and dedication can open doors far beyond the classroom," Newbrough said.
