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Robots Rumble, Battle and Take Over Bridgewater Commons as RoboCon New Jersey Returns September 26-27

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Robots Rumble, Battle and Take Over Bridgewater Commons as RoboCon New Jersey Returns September 26-27

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (September 10, 2026) — Robots will rumble, battle and roam Bridgewater Commons when RoboCon New Jersey, Central New Jersey’s largest robotics and STEM showcase, returns to the shopping center on September 26 and 27, transforming the property into a free, interactive celebration of science and technology.


Presented by Johnson & Johnson and Bridgewater Commons, the mall-wide event will bring together 24 high school robotics teams along with engineers, scientists, technology organizations, and STEM enthusiasts for two days of competition, demonstrations, and hands-on-discovery.

 

This year’s RoboCon introduces several new experiences including an immersive 3D Printer Playground, interactive engineering exhibits from Picatinny Arsenal and The Science of Fireworks, alongside returning favorites including the signature Robot Rumble, combat robotics demonstrations, robot driving experiences, giant LEGO® displays, FIRST® Tech Challenge robotics, live science shows, and dozens of interactive activities.

 

“Technology advances so quickly that every RoboCon gives our guests an opportunity to discover something new, but one of the most exciting parts of this event is seeing that innovation comes to life through these talented students,” said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director at Bridgewater Commons. “For two days, the center becomes a place where families can cheer on a robotics team, drive a competition robot, meet engineers and scientists, and experience firsthand just how exciting STEM can be.” 


Produced by five New Jersey FIRST® Robotics Competition high school teams representing Bound Brook, Hillsborough, North Plainfield, Somerville, and Scotch Plains, RoboCon New Jersey is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators. Through hands-on experiences and real-world technology, the event encourages K–12 students to explore STEAM (which also includes the arts), develop critical problem-solving skills, and discover the exciting possibilities of careers in science, engineering, and technology.

 

“Technological innovation is part of New Jersey’s history, from Thomas Edison to pharmaceuticals and beyond. RoboCon looks to inspire the next Edison by encouraging education, healthy competition and dreaming big,” said Gregg Talewsky, RoboConNJ Co-Chair and Bound Brook Robotics Mentor. “Bridgewater Commons has been, and continues to be a spectacular partner in this endeavor.”

 

The event will extend throughout the center’s Lower and Main Levels, offering a variety of hands-on experiences, discovery and educational opportunities.

 

At the highlight event, the Robot Rumble, guests will cheer on 24 high school FIRST® Robotics Competition teams from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania as they battle it out in high-energy robotics matches on the Lower Level in Center Court. The competition will begin Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 p.m., followed by an Opening Ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

 

Throughout Bridgewater Commons’ Main and Lower Levels, guests will be able to explore interactive experiences including:

  • CALM CORNER (Near Build-A-Bear) - A sensory-friendly space featuring self-guided STEAM activities designed for quieter, independent exploration.
  • LARGE ROBOT DRIVING EXPERIENCE (Near Williams-Sonoma) – Meet FIRST® Robotics Competition teams and take the controls of a 120-pound competition robot in this exciting hands-on driving experience.
  • ROBOT PITS (Opposite Build-A-Bear) – Go behind the scenes with FIRST® Robotics teams to see how 120-pound competition robots are built, repaired, and prepared for competition. (Guests should bring their own safety glasses.)
  • STEAM STATION - (Community Hub) – Roll up your sleeves and explore the fun side of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math through hands-on activities including slime making, earthquake simulators, and more interactive experiments.
INVESTIGATION ISLAND (Bloomingdale’s wing) – Stretching from Center Court to Bloomingdale's, this interactive showcase features local scientists, schools, businesses, and organizations offering hands-on challenges and demonstrations celebrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

Investigation Island will feature several brand-new experiences including:
  • PRINTER PLAYGROUND (Next to T-Mobile, presented by Fubar Labs) – Discover the exciting world of 3D printing through an interactive journey from beginner basics to advanced creations. Guests can watch printers in action and may even take home a custom 3D-printed souvenir.
  • PICATINNY ARSENAL (Across from Apple) – Meet the engineers behind cutting-edge military technology, explore interactive engineering exhibits, experience a hands-on simulator, and learn how innovation helps protect our nation's service members.
  • THE SCIENCE OF FIREWORKS (Investigation Island) – Discover the fascinating science behind fireworks as experts at The Party Shop explain how brilliant colors, spectacular effects, and booming sounds light up the night sky.
Also on the Main Level will be:

  • DISCOVERY DOME (Next to Bloomingdale’s) – Enjoy engaging science shows on Sunday, including the public debut of The Science Spooktacular (Sunday at 2:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.), plus the crowd-favorite Fizz, Bang, BOOM! (Sunday at 12:15 p.m.). 
  • COMBAT ROBOTICS (Next to Fogo de Chao, presented by the Garden State Combat Robotics League) – Meet BattleBots® competitors including Claw Viper Captain Kevin Milczewski, watch live combat robotics demonstrations, and experience the excitement firsthand by driving your own small combat robot.
  • BRICK BACKYARD (By J. Crew) – Marvel at incredible LEGO® creations, including a massive Game of Thrones castle, a detailed Bridgewater Commons model, and more from the Garden State LEGO® Users Group. Then unleash your creativity at the Free Build stations with guidance from LEGO enthusiasts.
  • GIRL SCOUT BADGE WORKSHOP (Main Level, by Vans) - Girl Scouts can complete requirements for multiple robotics and engineering badges through an engaging, hands-on workshop led by local high school robotics students. Advance registration is required.
  • FIRSTⓇ TECH CHALLENGE ROBOTICS (Main Level, by Aeropostale) - Watch New Jersey FIRST® Tech Challenge teams prepare for the 2026–2027 season, FIRST® BIOBUZZ™ presented by RTX, as they design, build, and test their robots on the official competition field. Guests can also explore a FIRST® DECODE™ presented by RTX exhibit, drive a "Jersey-bot" on an FTC racetrack, and enjoy additional interactive robotics experiences.

Guests can also scan exclusive QR codes located throughout the event for a chance to win a $250 RoboCon Shopping Spree at Bridgewater Commons.

RoboCon New Jersey will also be streamed live on YouTube. Visit https://www.roboconnj.org/ for more information. For a full schedule of activities and a link to the event’s livestream on YouTube, visit www.bridgewatercommons.com.

About Bridgewater Commons
Bridgewater Commons is one of Central New Jersey’s premier shopping destinations, located in a vibrant suburb in proximity to New York City. The 1.15 million-square-foot shopping center features a mix of premier retailers and restaurants with wide consumer appeal. Over 130 brands call Bridgewater Commons home, from well-known national retailers and restaurants such as Anthropologie, Alo Yoga, Apple, Kendra Scott, lululemon athletica, Popmart, Williams-Sonoma, Seasons 52 and Fogo de Chão, alongside popular local shops like Athletifreak and Zuted Vintage. In 2023, Bridgewater Commons celebrated its 35th anniversary and is owned by Pacific Retail Capital Partners, one of the nation’s premier owners and operators of retail real estate. 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. 

About RoboCon New Jersey and FIRSTⓇ
RoboCon New Jersey, founded in 2022, encourages the community with a focus on inclusivity and K-12 students to inspire and energize them to not only think big but to develop science, technology, engineering, and math skills needed to become tomorrow’s innovators and leaders.

FIRSTⓇ (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12). Founded in 1989, FIRSTⓇ is a global nonprofit organization. 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. Thrilling, sports-like challenges build self-confidence and collaborative problem-solving skills and have a proven and lasting impact on STEM learning and interest. 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.


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