GET STARTED WITH THE K12 ROBOTICS LEAGUE
Sign-up for the league, purchase your VRT software license, and download VRT to begin coding ($55 per student).
Looking Ahead to the Next Season
Registration for the next K12 Robotics League season opens September 2. Check back soon for details!
No coding experience? No problem!
The K12 Robotics League is beginner-friendly, and students can compete solo or team up with up to three students. Participants learn through training videos and weekly help sessions, while using the Virtual Robotics Toolkit (VRT) software ($55 per student) to code, test, and improve their virtual robot.
LEARN THE BASICS
Review training videos, join weekly help sessions, and get your team registered in Robot Virtual Games. Register as a solo team or in a team of up to three students.
PRACTICE IN VRT AND TAKE ON VIRTUAL CHALLENGES
Code, test, and improve your virtual robot, and apply what you’ve learned by completing fun challenges in your VRT software.
ADVANCE THROUGH THE COMPETITION
Top 10 teams from each grade band move forward to the 2nd Round Qualifier.
REACH THE FINALS
The top 3 teams from each grade-band are invited to compete in-person in the K12 Robotics Competition Finals using physical robots.
See Where Your Robotics Journey Could Take You
Competition Schedule
November 6, 2026
Sign-Up Deadline
January 8–15, 2027
Initial Friendly Challenge
February 12–19, 2027
1st-Round Qualifier
March 12–19, 2027
2nd-Round Qualifier
June 2027
In-Person National Competition
Prizes
Initial Friendly Challenge
$25 Tango e-gift card for each member of one winning team per grade band.
1st-Round Qualifier
Top 10 teams per grade band advance and receive a digital certificate.
2nd-Round Qualifier
The top 3 teams per grade band advance to the National Finals in Reston, Virginia.
Final Round
One National Champion per grade band wins a medal, trophy, and $250 for each team member.
Know Before You Code
Currently enrolled students in grades 4–12 from any K12-powered school are welcome to sign up. Students compete in grade-level groups: 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12.
Your child can compete solo or team up with one or two friends currently enrolled in any K12-powered school. Each team needs a registered adult instructor — this can be a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult. Students learn at their own pace with tutorial videos and resources, then drop into weekly open office hours for questions, troubleshooting, and personalized support as they code and compete.
All students need is the Virtual Robotics Toolkit (VRT) — just $55 for a full-year license. It’s a powerful software platform where students design, program, and test robots in a virtual space. No physical robot required!
Every team must have an instructor who is 21 years or older. The instructor is the team’s primary adult contact and helps oversee participation throughout the competition. An instructor can be a parent, guardian, teacher (with their permission), coach, mentor, or another trusted adult. They do not need robotics experience.
Important: Do not list a teacher as your instructor unless they have agreed to serve in that role. Being your teacher does not automatically make them your team’s instructor.
Sign up by 5 PM (ET) on November 16, 2026. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with next steps and a link to purchase the VRT software. Be sure to include accurate contact information so we can send helpful updates, reminders, and support throughout
the season.
Note: Parents or guardians must register on behalf of students under 13.
Before signing up, please take a moment to review the official rules. You’ll be asked to agree to these terms during registration.
Stay in the know.
Want the latest updates on the K12 Robotics Competition and other exciting student events throughout the year?
Follow us on social media to stay informed, see students in action, and discover new ways your child can learn, compete, and grow!
Follow us on social media to stay informed, see students in action, and discover new ways your child can learn, compete, and grow!
