On January 25th, Illini VEX Robotics hosted the second annual Cornfield Clash Jr. robotics competition at @illinois.cif This was their largest event ever with 36 high school teams made up of hundreds of students from across Illinois and Indiana, competing to qualify for the state championships. Teams competed in the VEX Robotics Competition Game "High Stakes", where robots try to win matches by scoring rings, climbing a tall ladder, and making risky decisions to multiply their own score or negate their opponent's. The tournament is more than just a competition—it’s a vital opportunity for high school students, particularly from central and southern Illinois, to engage in robotics and STEM. Due to the limited number of VEX competitions in these regions, this event provides a platform for teams who might not otherwise get the chance to compete. The event is also an opportunity for Illini Vex Robotics and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to foster STEM learning among the hundr...