The 2026 Indiana Robotics State Championship: A Day Of Hard Work And Celebration

On March 14th at Lucas Oil Stadium, nearly 2,000 students, from over 300 teams, and more than 10,000 fans showed up for the 2026 Indiana Robotics State Championship. 

This is what we build toward all year. Months of designing, rebuilding, problem-solving, and showing up for teammates, all coming together for the largest robotics state championship in the nation, right here in Indiana. Every year it reminds us why this work matters, and every year, these kids show us what's possible when someone believes in them and gives them the tools to grow.

Before we get into everything that made March 14th so special, check out the highlights in this year’s state recap video.

This year marked our 10th state championship, and with it, a decade of watching students discover their potential and find their confidence. It was also the first championship with Jamie Inskeep leading TechPoint Youth as President & CEO. If you know Jamie's story, the role makes complete sense. 

She opened the day by sharing a little of her own journey, beginning as a classroom teacher applying for a robotics grant, never imagining it would lead her here. Robotics truly has a way of opening doors. Read all about Jamie’s story and what a sweet homecoming this is for TechPoint Youth. 

This year also brought something brand new to the stage. For the first time at the state championship, TechPoint Youth presented the Bridge Builder Award. This recognition was created for visionary leaders who have gone above and beyond to bring STEM opportunities to students who are typically underrepresented in these fields.

This year's recipient is Jennifer Stewart from Greenfield-Central School Corporation. Her students describe her as someone whose impact goes far beyond the classroom. She has strengthened STEM programming, secured resources, and created learning experiences that open doors for students who need them most. She prepares students to believe they belong in these spaces. We are proud to celebrate her, and we can't wait to see who this award honors in the years ahead.

Then came the moment that brings the crowd to its feet every year. For the fourth consecutive year, Purdue University took the stage to announce the recipients of the Purdue Robotics Scholarship, covering full resident tuition and fees for four years. 

This year, that announcement belonged to Samuel Faris from Covenant Christian High School and Grace Griffith from Valparaiso High School, president of the TechPoint Youth Student Advisory Council. Two students who poured years into this program and walked off that stage with their futures wide open. Read all about this year’s Purdue Scholarship.

Throughout the day, teams across four divisions brought everything they had to the competition floor. The engineering was creative, the matches were hard-fought, and the teamwork was inspiring. These students build resilience, problem-solving skills, and the confidence to take on challenges that don't have easy answers. That's what carries them into college, careers, and beyond. 

One of the day's most meaningful moments came when former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard took the stage to present the Ballard Teamwork Champion Award. Mayor Ballard has been a steadfast supporter of youth robotics for years, and this award reflects something he clearly believes in: that how you work together matters just as much as what you build. It recognizes teams that demonstrate outstanding collaboration and strategic coordination.

Relive the day, and special moments like this in this year's state photo album. 

In the end, 76 Indiana teams earned their spots at the VEX Robotics World Championship, where they'll represent Indiana on the global stage. We will be cheering for every single one of them. See the full list of award winners below. 

To every student who competed, every coach who dedicated their time to the season, every family who cheered from the stands, and every volunteer who gave their day to make this possible — thank you. This championship belongs to you. 

Days like this don't happen without the generosity of the partners who believe in Indiana's students. We're incredibly grateful for the support of the Indiana Department of Education, Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc., NextGear Capital, Sallie Mae, Purdue University, and our many generous supporters who make programs like this possible year after year.

Special thanks to GTIA, whose generous support this year made a meaningful difference for Indiana students and helped us take this championship to new heights. We're proud to have them alongside us.

If you'd like to be a part of every Indiana student gaining access to programs like this one, consider supporting TechPoint Youth today.

Their future is our future.