UND to host VEX Robotics competition at Mall of America
As host institution, event showcases UND’s College of Engineering & Mines to prospective students
For the third year in a row, UND will host its signature VEX Robotics competition – an event slated to bring thousands of students and spectators together from across the United States and beyond.
The event, the first major U.S. based competition of the 2026-27 VEX season, will take place August 6-8 at the Mall of America’s north atrium and features 119 teams representing 25 U.S. states – along with teams from Canada, Mexico, China and Taiwan. It is part of VEX’s V5 division, open to students in grades six through 12.
As the largest student robotics competitions in the world, VEX provides opportunities for over 1.1 million students across 70 countries, ranging in age from pre-kindergarten through university. Participants gain hands-on experience in several STEM fields and strengthen their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Andrew Dahlen, instructor of Mechanical Engineering at UND, said the event provides both experiential learning opportunities for its participants, while also showcasing UND’s College of Engineering & Mines to prospective students.
“Competitive robotics teaches far more than how to build a robot,” Dahlen said. “Students learn teamwork, communication, creative problem-solving and resilience — skills that translate directly into engineering and technology careers. Bringing this event to the Mall of America allows UND to connect with talented students and their families while showing them where those skills can take them next.”
The event offers students the opportunity to compete at a world-class level. Teams will be vying for three competition awards – the excellence award, skills champion and overall tournament champion – with awardees earning a spot at the 2027 VEX Robotics World Championships in St. Louis.
