RoboCon New Jersey, Central Jersey’s Largest STEM Showcase, Returns to Bridgewater Commons, September 27 and 28

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (September  2025) — As technology advances at an exponential rate, RoboCon New Jersey, the region’s largest public robotics event, will return to Bridgewater Commons on September 27 and 28, inviting families and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) enthusiasts of all ages to experience a glimpse into the future.

Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and Bridgewater Commons, the free, mall-wide interactive showcase features several exciting, high-tech experiences, including a full-scale Robot Rumble, Droid Builders, FIRST® Tech Challenge Mini-Games, Combat Robotics, Robot Driving, Science Shows, a special guest appearance by American Ninja Warrior/TV Host/Author Jay Flores, and more.

“RoboCon New Jersey transforms Bridgewater Commons into a showcase of both technology and community,” said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director of Bridgewater Commons. “As Central Jersey’s premier shopping and dining destination, we’re proud to provide a 1.2 million-square-foot stage where families can experience cutting-edge robotics, explore favorite stores like Apple and LEGO, and enjoy a day that blends innovation with everything that our center has to offer.”

Produced by five New Jersey FIRST® Robotics Competition High School Teams from Warren, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Somerville, and Scotch Plains, RoboCon New Jersey focuses on K-12 students to inspire and energize them to not only think big but to develop the science, technology, engineering, and math skills needed to become tomorrow’s innovators and leaders.

The 1.2 million-square-foot mall will become a technology wonderland, with interactive displays and experiences joining the competition during the two-day event. RoboCon New Jersey will kick off at 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, with early matches in the exciting Robot Rumble, which features 24 high school FIRST® Robotics Competition Robotics Teams from four states (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland). Special guests will join in a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. RoboCon’s daily hours are Saturday, September 27, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, September 28, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Lower Level will be home to new and updated activations:

• DISCOVERY DOME (Community Hub) — New this year, guests can attend science shows, demonstrations, and exclusive book readings. Highlights include Fizz, Bang, BOOM; The Bubbleology Show; Building a Droid; and a highly interactive, dual-language reading of Engineer Someday by celebrity American Ninja Warrior/TV Host/Author Jay Flores.
• CALM CORNER (Near Build-A-Bear) — Sensory-friendly STEAM Activities available for quieter, independent exploration.
• LARGE ROBOT DRIVING EXPERIENCE (Near Williams-Sonoma) — Meet our FIRST® Robotics Competition teams and take one of the larger 120-pound robots for a test drive.DROID BUILDERS (By Macy’s) — Pose for photos and meet builders of some of the most recognizable robotic movie characters from a galaxy far, far away.

On the Main Level, look for:

• FIRST® TECH CHALLENGE ROBOTICS (By Aeropostale) — FIRST® Tech Challenge of New Jersey teams bring their robots and practice for the 2025-2026 game, FIRST® DECODE℠. See teams enhancing their robot design in the “Pit Area” and playing the official game on a 12-foot x 12-foot field. The area will also include a FIRST® INTO THE DEEP℠ exhibit, which will serve to demonstrate the 2024-2025 game and serve as a Driving Zone for young guests. Visitors can also drive a “jersey-bot” around an “FTC Racetrack,” among other fun activities.
• STEAM STATION (By Bloomingdale’s) — Get messy while learning more about Science, Technology, Art, Engineering, and Math (STEAM) with several fun, interactive activities, including make your own light-up planet, and the Gummy Bear Launch.
• INVESTIGATION ISLAND (Bloomingdale’s wing) — Spanning from Center Court to Bloomingdale’s, meet several local scientists, organizations, schools, and companies that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math.
• LEGO® ROBOTICS (By Bloomingdale’s) — Experience the exciting underwater adventure of last year’s game, SUBMERGED. Meet teams and interact with the field elements.
• COMBAT ROBOTICS (Main Level by Apple Store) - Experience the thrill of combat robotics with demos, meet team members, and try your hand at driving combat robots like their larger counterparts made famous by the TV show, BattleBots®. Presented by the Garden State Combat Robotics League.
• BRICK BACKYARD (Main Level, by J. Crew) - Explore one-of-a-kind LEGO® models from the Garden State LEGO® Users Group. Head to one of the Free Build tables to unleash your imagination and get expert tips from the Pros.
• ROBOBATTLES (Main Level, by Macy’s) – Build your own LEGO® model to compete and destroy your opponents with the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation.
• SCOUTING BADGE WORKSHOP (Main Level, by Vans) - Learn about robotics and engineering through a hands-on guided journey led by high school robotics students and obtain Girl Scout and Scouts BSA badges—advance registration required.

For a full schedule of activities and a link to the event’s livestream on YouTube, visit www.bridgewatercommons.com. Guests can also enter to win a RoboCon $250 shopping spree at the mall when they scan exclusive QR codes displayed throughout the event.

About FIRST®
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics community that prepares Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST® is a global nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12). Our programs are suitable for schools or structured afterschool activities and receive support from a vast network of volunteers, educators, and sponsor/donors, including over 200 Fortune 500 companies. Because our programs are More Than Robots®, FIRST participants are guided by a signature set of Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements. Our thrilling, sports-like challenges build their self-confidence and collaborative problem-solving skills and have a proven and lasting impact on STEM learning and interest. Our participants and alumni gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life.

About Bridgewater Commons
Bridgewater Commons is one of Northern New Jersey’s premier shopping destinations, located in a vibrant suburb in proximity to New York City. The 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center features a vibrant mix of retailers and restaurants with wide consumer appeal. More than 150 brands call Bridgewater Commons home, from well-known national retailers and restaurants such as Apple, lululemon athletica, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Fogo de Chão, Seasons 52 and The Cheesecake Factory, to popular local small shops like Athletifreak, Millburn Deli and DIG. In 2023, Bridgewater Commons celebrated its 35th anniversary and was acquired by Pacific Retail Capital Partners, one of the premier owners of retail real estate in the country. For more information on the property, please visit bridgewatercommons.com or follow on social media: Facebook @BridgewaterCommons and Instagram: shopbridgewatercommons.

About Pacific Retail Capital Partners
Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) is one of the nation’s premier retail operating groups of large open- air and enclosed shopping centers, with more than $3.0 billion in assets under management across the United States. Based in Southern California, the company’s portfolio totals 24 properties encompassing over 20 million square feet. With a highly experienced team that has a proven track record of generating value its stakeholders, PRCP is dedicated to evolving real estate for the next generation by working with the communities it serves to design master plans that transform its assets into high-performing mixed-use destinations. The vertically-integrated company provides end-to-end sourcing, assessment, underwriting, valuing, developing, marketing, design and asset management services. To learn more visit pacificretail.com or follow on social media at: Facebook: @PacificRetailCapitalPartners and Instagram: @PacificRetail.

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