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Meet the CAVA finalist teams in the 2026 K12 Robotics League Competition!

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robotics strider the fox

After months of coding, collaboration, and high-energy virtual challenges, several CAVA students have earned their place in the 2026 K12 Robotics League final round — an impressive achievement that puts CAVA on the national stage.

Meet the CAVA Finalists

We’re proud to celebrate the California Virtual Academies students whose creativity, persistence, and teamwork set them apart.

The Smooth Operators

  • Emily, 10th grade student at California Virtual Academies–Fresno
  • Matthew, 10th grade student at California Virtual Academies–San Joaquin
  • Noah, 10th grade student at California Virtual Academies–Sutter

The Toy Maker’s Workshop

  • Katherine, 11th grade student at California Virtual Academies

On June 10, 2026, they’ll travel to K12 Headquarters for the National Championship — where things take an exciting turn. Students will move from programming virtual robots to controlling real ones on physical competition mats. It’s a big leap, and an even bigger moment to showcase their skills.

About the K12 Robotics League

The K12 Robotics League gives students in grades 4–12 a hands-on, team-based STEM experience built around creativity, coding, and problem-solving.

Throughout three virtual rounds — the Initial Friendly Challenge, First Round Qualifier, and Second Round Qualifier — students used Virtual Robotics Toolkit (VRT) software to design, code, and test their robots against increasingly complex missions.

Now, the top nine teams (three from each grade band: 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12) are advancing to the National Championship, where their virtual strategies will be put to the ultimate real-world test.

What to Expect in the Final Round

On June 10, the competition shifts from virtual to physical — and the energy ramps up fast. Finalist teams will:

  • Program real robots to complete three challenges on a competition mat
  • Compete against the clock, balancing speed, accuracy, and strategy
  • Show off teamwork, communication, and advanced coding skills

It’s a high-stakes, hands-on finale that pushes students to think fast, adapt quickly, and collaborate under pressure.

What could they win?

Winning teams in each grade band will take home trophies, bragging rights, and a $500 prize per team member.

Don’t Miss It

Mark your calendar for June 10 and get ready to cheer on these incredible CAVA student programmers!

Follow the K12 Student Instagram channel for highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and live updates throughout the event.

We’re extremely proud of every finalist. Your hard work, creativity, and determination have brought you here, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.

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