The Santa Maria-Bonita School District (SMBSD) will host the 2026 Coast Fusion – Vex IQ Mix & Match Invitational robotics event, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. today, Saturday, Jan. 24, at Tommie Kunst Junior High School, 930 Hidden Pines Way.
Community members are encouraged to attend and support these future leaders in science and technology, the district said. Admission is free for spectators.
The invitational serves as a high-stakes gathering for young innovators from across the Central Coast, SMBSD said.
The students will compete using the VEX IQ Mix & Match game, which requires robots to work in tandem to solve complex puzzles, demonstrating the power of engineering and collaborative teamwork.
Highlights:
- Diverse field of competitors: The event will showcase the talents of SMBSD students alongside visiting teams from Old Mission School, Atascadero Middle School, and Georgia Brown School from Paso Robles Joint Unified School District.
- Path to state championships: The tournament is key for teams looking to advance. Select excellence and performance awards presented at the event will grant teams the opportunity to compete at the state championship later this season.
- Hands-on STEM learning: Beyond the field, students will participate in judging interviews to present their digital engineering notebooks, explaining the technical design and coding logic behind their robot’s evolution.
“The Coastal Coast Fusion is a celebration of the ‘fusion’ of ideas and the spirit of competition,” said Pedro Garcia IV, SMBSD technology and robotics teacher on special assignment. “We are excited to host teams from throughout our neighboring communities as they compete for a spot at the state level.”