Engineering:VEX Robotics

From HandWiki
Short description: Robotics competition program for students
VEX Robotics is a robotics program for elementary through university students and a subset of Innovation First International. The VEX Robotics competitions and programs are managed by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF).[1] In April 2018, VEX Robotics Competition was named the largest robotics competition in the world by Guinness World Records.[2]

There are three leagues of VEX robotics competitions meant for different age groups and skill levels:

  • VEX V5 (previously VEX EDR) is for middle and high school students. VEX V5 Robotics teams have an opportunity to compete annually in the VEX Robotics Competition (VRC)[3]
  • VEX IQ is for elementary and middle school students. VEX IQ robotics teams have an opportunity to compete annually in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition (VIQRC).[4]
  • VEX AI is an advanced robotics program for high school and university students. The pilot program registration is scheduled to open to university students in fall of 2020.[5] VEX AI robotics teams will have an opportunity to compete in the VEX AI Competition (VAIC).

In each of the three leagues, students are given a new challenge annually and must design, build, program, and drive a robot to complete the challenge as best as they can. The robotics teams that consistently display exceptional mastery in all of these areas will eventually progress to the VEX Robotics World Championship.

The description and rules for the season's competition are released during the world championship of the previous season. Starting in 2021, the VEX Robotics World Championship has been held in Dallas, Texas each year in mid-April or mid-May, depending on which VEX team you're on.[6]

VEX V5

VEX V5 is a STEM learning system designed by VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation to help middle and high school students develop problem-solving and computational thinking skills.[7] It was introduced at the VEX Robotics World Championship in April 2019 as a replacement for a previous system called VEX EDR. The program utilizes the VEX V5 Construction and Control System as a standardized hardware, firmware, and software compatibility platform.[7] Robotics teams and clubs can use the VEX V5 system to build robots to compete in the annual VEX Robotics Competition.[8]

Construction and Control System

The VEX V5 Construction and Control System is a metal-based robotics platform with machinable, bolt-together pieces that can be used to construct custom robotic mechanisms.[7] The robot is controlled by a programmable processor known as the VEX V5 Brain.Vallenzuela, Jorge (2020). Rev Up Robotics. International Society for Technology in Education. p. 52. ISBN 9781564848154. https://books.google.com/books?id=r8-CEAAAQBAJ.  The Brain is equipped with a color LCD touchscreen, 21 hardware ports, an SD card port, a battery port, 8 legacy sensor ports, and a micro-USB programming port. Usage with a VEX V5 Radio enables wireless driving and wireless programming of the brain via the VEX V5 Controller. The controller allows wireless user input to the robot brain, and two controllers can be daisy-chained if necessary. Each controller has two hardware ports, a micro-USB port, two 2-axis joysticks, a monochrome LCD display, and twelve buttons. The controller's LCD can be written wirelessly from the robot, providing users with configurable feedback from the robot brain. The VEX V5 Motors connect to the brain via the hardware ports and are equipped with an internal optical shaft encoder to provide feedback on the rotational status of the motor. The motor's speed is programmable but may also be altered by exchanging the internal gear cartridge with one of three cartridges of different gear ratios. The three cartridges are 100 rpm, 200 rpm, and 600 rpm.

VEXcode V5

VEXcode V5 is a Scratch-based coding environment designed by VEX Robotics for programming VEX Robotics hardware, such as the VEX V5 Brain. The block-style interface makes programming simple for elementary through high-school students. VEXcode is consistent across VEX 123, GO, IQ, and V5 and can be used to program the devices from each. VEXcode allows the block programs to be viewed as equivalent C++ or programs to help more advanced students transition from blocks to text. This also allows easy interconversion between text-based and block-based programming.[9] VEXcode also lets students code in C++, which gives the opportunity to learn basic C++, but to collect data from sensors of to move the drivetrain, vex uses a header file.

PROS

PROS is a C/C++ programming environment for VEX V5 hardware maintained by students of Purdue University through Purdue ACM SIGBots. It provides a more bare-bones environment for more knowledgeable students that allows for an industry-applicable experience. It has a more robust API that allows for more precise control of the hardware for competition-level uses in VRC/VEX U. It is based on FreeRTOS.[10]

VEX Robotics Competition

VEX Robotics Competition
Current season, competition or edition:
Template:Current sports event icon VEX Robotics Competition: Over Under
VRCPNGCrop.png
SportRobotics-related games
FoundedTony Norman
Bob Mimlitch
Inaugural season2007
No. of teamsTotal Registered: 20,000+
VRC: 11,400
VEXU: 300
50+ countries [11]
HeadquartersGreenville, Texas
Most recent
champion(s)
2023 VRC HS Worlds:

World Champions:
United States 11101B: "Barcbots Getting There"
United States 7686B: "Capten"

Excellence Award:
United States 21417A: "ROBOKAUZ"

2023 VRC MS Worlds:

World Champions:
United States 3324U: "Supernova Hydra"
China 9123X: "Shanghai RuiGuan Team 9123X"

Excellence Award:
United States 652A: "RoboMonkeys"

TV partner(s)Livestream.com (2013–present)
ESPN2 (2016)
CBS Sports (2017)
YouTube (2020)
Official websiteVEX Robotics Competition

VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) is a robotics competition for registered middle and high school teams that utilize the VEX V5 Construction and Control System.[12] In this competition, teams design, build, and program robots to compete at tournaments. At tournaments, teams participate in qualifying matches where two randomly chosen alliances of two teams each compete for the highest team ranking. Before the Elimination Rounds, the top-ranking teams choose their permanent alliance partners, starting with the highest-ranked team, and continuing until the alliance capacity for the tournament is reached. The new alliances then compete in an elimination bracket, and the tournament champions, alongside other award winners, qualify for their regional culminating event. .[13]

The current challenge is VEX Robotics Competition: Over Under.[13]

General rules

Middle and high school students have the same game and rules. The most general and basic rules for the VEX Robotics Competition are as follows, but each year may have exceptions and/or additional constraints.[14]

  • Each robot is partnered with another robot in a pair called an "alliance". In any given match, each alliance competes against one other alliance. One team is designated as the red alliance, and the other as the blue alliance.[13]
  • No robot may exceed the dimensions of an 18-inch cube until the match has begun.[13]
  • No robot may contain hardware, software, material, or content that is not distributed by or explicitly allowed by VEX Robotics.
  • The playing field consists of a 12-foot by 12-foot square of foam tiles bordered by a wall of metal-framed polycarbonate dividers.[13] Anything outside of these border walls is considered as off of the playing field. The various props associated with that season's competition are arranged in a defined and reproducible manner before the start of each match.
  • At the start of the match is a 15-second 'autonomous' period, where all four robots navigate the field based on pre-programmed instructions without live driver input.[13]
  • After the autonomous period has ended, the 'driver control' period begins. This stage of the match consists of one minute and forty-five seconds of manual control of the robot[13] using one or two handheld controllers utilized by the respective number of 'drivers'. Note: During a match, up to three competitors per robot may be on their alliance's side of the field, outside of the field border, in an area designated as their alliance's 'alliance station'. The field's two alliance stations are more commonly known as 'the driver pits', or simply 'the pits.'
  • The object of the match is to attain a higher score, i.e. more points, than the opposing alliance. The method by which the alliances attain these points varies significantly with each season.[13]
  • Throughout the match, the blue alliance is not allowed to enter the red alliance's 'protected zone' of the field, and vice versa. The designated areas of the field are often different for each season. However, during the autonomous period, the protected zone normally consists of half of the field where the alliance starts, whereas the driver control period occasionally does not even define a protected zone, as was the case for VRC Tipping Point. Any robot that repeatedly, extensively, and/or intentionally enters the opposing alliance's protected zone will be given a warning, be forced to forfeit the match, and/or be disqualified from the tournament.
  • Intentionally removing game objects from the field will result in a warning, match forfeit, and/or, if necessary, disqualification.
  • Intentionally and repeatedly damaging any of the robots involved, either during the match or otherwise, will result in immediate disqualification.

Current game: Over Under

VEX Robotics Competition Over Under is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as seen above. Two Alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each compete in matches consisting of a fifteen-second Autonomous Period, followed by a one-minute and forty-five-second Driver Controlled Period.

There are sixty Triballs, two goals, and four match load stations on a VRC Over Under Field. The field is divided into two offensive zones by a barrier. Triballs can be Scored in the two Goals, one per Alliance, at opposite sides of the field. Each Triball scored in a Goal is worth 5 points. A Triball scored in the alliance's side of the field is worth 2 points.

As the clock winds down, it's time for the Endgame. At the end of the Match, Alliances will receive points for elevating their robots with their alliance's elevation bar.

The Alliance that scores more points in the Autonomous period is awarded with eight bonus points, added to the final score at the end of the match. Each Alliance also has the opportunity to earn an Autonomous Win Point by scoring at least 1 Triball in their goal, emptying their match load station, and touching the elevation bar at the end of the autonomous period. This Bonus can be earned by both Alliances, regardless of who wins the Autonomous Bonus.

Previous games

Previous VEX Robotics Competition games have included, from 2022 to 2023 backwards, Spin-Up,[15] Tipping Point,[16] Change-Up,[17] Tower Takeover,[18] Turning Point,[19] In The Zone,[20] Starstruck,[21] Nothing But Net,[22] Skyrise,[23] Toss Up,[24] Sack Attack,[25] Gateway,[26] Round Up,[27] Clean Sweep,[28] Elevation,[29] and Bridge Battle.[30]

VEX IQ Challenge

VEX IQ Robotics Competition
Current season, competition or edition:
Template:Current sports event icon VIQRC Full Volume
VEXIQC.png
Inaugural season2012
No. of teamsTotal Registered: 20,000+ VEXIQ:8,500
50+ countries [11]
HeadquartersGreenville, Texas
Most recent
champion(s)
2023 VIQC MS Worlds:

World Champions:
Canada 839A: "// Caution Tape Alpha //"
Canada 252W: "Wisp"

Excellence Award:
United States 1715K: "KryptoKnights"

2023 VIQC ES Worlds:

World Champions:
Canada 8390Z: "// Caution Tape Zap //"
China 98996B: "StemStar-Big Shaq"

Excellence Award:
United States 727H: "Home-field Advantage"

TV partner(s)ESPN2 (2016)
CBS Sports (2017) YouTube (2020-2021)
Official websiteVEX IQ Challenge

The VEX IQ Robotics Competition, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, provides elementary and middle school students with exciting, open-ended robotics and research project challenges that enhance their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills through hands-on, student-centered learning. A VEX IQ Robotics set is used, with plastic pieces that snap together using pegs, and it is extremely easy to construct a robot. The students use a graphical software to program the robot. There are two parts to the contests: Robot Skills, which is a single robot trying to score as many points as possible, and the Teamwork Challenge, where two robots attempt to work together to complete the same task.[31]

Current Game: Full Volume

2023-2024

VEX IQ Robotics Competition Full Volume is played on a 6’ x 8’ rectangular field configured as seen above. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60-second-long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points.

Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge, where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of Driving Skills Matches, which will be entirely driver-controlled, and Programming Skills Matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.

The scoring objects in VEX IQ Robotics Competition Full Volume are 3 different blocks, one type of block green, one type of block purple, and one type of block red. There are a total of 73 blocks on the field, 54 green blocks, 16 purple blocks, and 3 red blocks. The object of the game is to score as many points as possible with an alliance partner by scoring blocks in goals, picking up blocks from the field in predetermined locations, as well as them being randomly scattered in the supply zone, and parking in the supply zone at the end of the Match.

VIQRC Full Volume Scoring
Each Block in Goal 1 point
Uniform Bonus 10 points
Common Height Bonus 10 points (Fill Level 1)

20 points (Fill Level 2)

30 points (Fill Level 3)

Red Block removed from Starting Peg 5
Supply Zone Cleared 20
Partial Parking 5
Fully Parking 10
Double Fully Parking Bonus 10


Previous games

2022-2023: Slapshot

VEX IQ Competition Slapshot is played on a 6’ x 8’ rectangular field configured as seen above. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60-second-long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points.

Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge, where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of Driving Skills Matches, which will be entirely driver-controlled, and Programming Skills Matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.

VIQC Slapshot Scoring
Disc Scored in Purple Zone 2 points
Disc Scored in Blue Zone 3 points
Disc Scored in Green Zone 4 points
Disc Scored in Yellow Zone 1 point
Disc Removed from Dispenser 1 point
Contact Bonus 1 extra point per disk in the Goal Zone

The scoring objects in VEX IQ Competition Slapshot are 2.5" (6.35 cm) diameter Discs. There are a total of (45) Discs on the field. The object of the game is to score as many points as possible with an alliance partner by scoring Discs in Goal Zones, removing Discs, and touching Contact Zones at the end of the Match.

2021-2022: Pitching In

VIQC Pitching In Scoring
Ball Scored in Low Goal 2 points
Ball Scored in high goal 6 points
Starting Corral Cleared of all Balls 5 points
Low Hanging Robot at end of Match 6 points
High Hanging Robot at end of Match 10 points

VEX IQ Challenge Pitching In is played on a six-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. Two robots compete in the teamwork challenge as an alliance in one-minute-long teamwork matches and a 15-second period of autonomous working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in the robot skills challenge, where one robot attempts to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of driving skills matches, which will be entirely driver-controlled, and programming skills matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.

The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring balls in either a low-scoring goal or a high-scoring goal in the center of the field. Additional points are scored by clearing the starting corrals of all balls and by parking via hanging on either a low or high bar on either side of the field.

2020–21: Rise Above

VIQC Rise Above Scoring
Base riser 1 point
Stacked riser 1 point
Completed row 3 points
Completed stack 30 points

VEX IQ Challenge Rise Above is played on a six-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. Two robots compete in the teamwork challenge as an alliance in one-minute-long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points. Teams also compete in the robot skills challenge, where one robot attempts to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of driving skills matches, which will be entirely driver-controlled, and programming skills matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.

The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring risers in the goal. There are a total of 27 risers, nine for each color (orange, purple, and teal).

2019–20: Squared Away

VIQC Squared Away Scoring[32]
Each ball scored in a cube 1 point
Each ball scored on a cube 2 points
Each blue and red cube placed in their respective corner goals 10 points
Each green cube placed on a platform 20 points

VEX IQ Challenge Squared Away is played on a four-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. The scoring objects in are three-inch diameter balls and seven-inch cubes. There are a total of 35 balls and seven cubes on the field. The object of the game is to score as many points as possible with an alliance partner in one of two ways: by scoring balls in or on cubes and by moving cubes to their respective scoring zones.[33]

2018–19: Next Level

VIQC Next Level Scoring[34]
Each Low Scored Hub 1 point
Each High Scored Hub 2 points
Each Bonus Hub removed from the Hanging Structure 1 point
Each Low Scored Bonus Hub 2 points
Each High Scored Bonus Hub 4 points
Each robot Parked underneath Hanging Structure 1 point
Each Low Hanging Robot 2 points
Each High Hanging Robot 4 points

VEX IQ Challenge Next Level is played on a four-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring and stacking colored hubs in building zones, removing bonus hubs from the hanging structure, and by parking or hanging on the hanging bar.[35] There are two building zones in the corners of the field. In the middle, there is one hanging structure. There are a total of fifteen hubs, plus two bonus hubs available to be scored in the building zones and one parking zone in the middle of the field.[35]

2017–18: Ringmaster

VIQC Ringmaster Scoring[36]
Each Emptied Starting Peg 5 points
Each Ring scored in the low-scoring goal 1 point
Each Ring scored on a Scoring Post 5 points
Each Ring scored on a Uniform Scoring Post (All the same color) 10 points
Bonus Tray Emptied 20 points

VEX IQ Challenge Ringmaster is played on a four-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring colored rings on the floor goal and on posts, by having uniform posts, by emptying starting pegs, and by releasing the bonus tray.[37] There are a total of 28 hexballs available as scoring objects in the game. There are two scoring zones, sixteen low goals, twelve elevated goals, and one bridge on the field.[37]

2016–17: Crossover

VIQC Crossover Scoring[38]
Each Hexball Scored in the Scoring Zone 1 point
Each Hexball Scored in the Low Goal 3 points
Each Hexball Scored in the Elevated Goal 5 points
Having One Robot Parked on the Bridge 5 points
Having Two Robots Parked on the Bridge 15 points
Having All Robots Parked on a Balanced Bridge 25 points

VEX IQ Challenge Crossover is played on a four-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by scoring hexballs in their colored scoring zone and goals, and by parking and balancing robots on the bridge.[39] There are a total of 28 hexballs available as scoring objects in the game. There are two scoring zones, sixteen low goals, twelve elevated goals, and one bridge on the field.[39]

2015–16: Bank Shot

VIQC Bank Shot Scoring[40]
Each Ball Scored in the Scoring Zone 1 point
Each Emptied Cutout 1 point
Each Ball Scored in the Goal 3 points
Having One Robot Parked on the Ramp 10 points
Having Two Robots Parked on the Ramp 25 points

VEX IQ Challenge Bank Shot is played on a four-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. The object of the game is to attain the highest score by emptying cutouts, scoring balls into the scoring zone and goals, and by parking robots on the ramp.[41] There are a total of 44 balls available as scoring objects in the game. There is one scoring zone, one goal, one ramp, and sixteen cutouts on the field.[41]

2014–15: Highrise

VIQC Highrise Scoring[42]
Each Cube Scored in the Scoring Zone A point value equal to the Highrise Height of the same color as the

Cube (i.e., if a team builds a Highrise of 3 red Scoring Cubes on the

Highrise Base, a red cube in the Scoring Zone is worth 3 points.)

VEX IQ Challenge Highrise is played on a four-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. The object of the game is to attain the highest possible score by scoring cubes in the scoring zone and by building highrises of cubes of the same color on the highrise bases.[43] There are a total of 36 cubes, twelve of each of three colors, available as scoring objects in the game. There is one scoring zone and three highrise bases on the field. Each robot begins a match on one of two starting positions and must occupy a space of less than 13 by 19 by 15 inches.[43]

2013–14: Add It Up

VIQC Add It Up Scoring[44]
A Small BuckyBall Scored in the Floor Goal 1 point
A Small BuckyBall Scored in the Low Goal 2 points
A Small BuckyBall Scored in the High Goal 3 points
A Large BuckyBall Scored in the Floor Goal 3 points
A Large BuckyBall Scored in the Low Goal 5 points
A Scoring Ring that is Filled 5 points
A Large BuckyBall Scored in the High Goal 8 points
A Robot that is Hanging at the end of the match 8 points

VEX IQ Challenge Add It Up is played on a four-foot by eight-foot rectangular field. The object of the game is to attain the highest possible alliance score by scoring small and large BuckyBalls into the floor, low and high goals, filling scoring rings, and having robots hang from the hanging bar at the end of the match.[45] There are a total of 36 small BuckyBalls and four large BuckyBalls available as scoring objects in the game. There are four floor goals, two low goals, two high goals, and four scoring rings, as well as a hanging bar.[45]

2012–13: Rings-N-Things

VIQC Rings-N-Things Scoring[46]
A Ball Scored in a Low Goal 1 alliance point
A Ball Scored in a High Goal 3 alliance points
A Ball Scored in a Scoring Ring 2 alliance points; 1 individual point
A Robot that is parked at the end of match 2 alliance points
A Second Robot parked at the end of match 3 alliance points

VEX IQ Challenge Rings-N-Things was the Pilot Program for the VEX IQ Challenge robotics competition program, which launched in April 2012.[47] The game is played on a four-foot by eight-foot field, surrounded by a 3.5-inch tall perimeter. There are four goals and eight rings into which teams can score 36 balls. The field is divided by the ramp.[47]

VEX U

The VEX U level competition is a robotics competition for college and university students that uses the VEX Robotics hardware and V5 electronics. The rules are nearly identical for this competition as for the VEX Robotics Competition, but VEX U teams are allowed to take advantage of more customization and greater flexibility than other levels (teams are granted the ability to use 3D printers and use raw materials such as sheet metal and wood). This allows VEX U teams to have more customization on their robots and construct mechanisms that cannot be created solely via the VEX Robotics hardware. Also, their robot creation is limited by the need to find effective costs and a restricted development environment in order to model a real-world situation. Additionally, rather than being limited to a robot size of an 18-inch cube, VEX U contestants had the freedom to use up to a 24-inch cube of space for their larger robot and up to a 15-inch cube for their smaller robot (thus, each team builds 2 robots, and competes against another team's two robots).[48]

The VEX U competition, although very similar to the VEX Robotics Competition, has some distinct rules. The autonomous period of VEX U competitions is also longer, lasting forty-five seconds versus the fifteen for the VEX Robotics Competition. As a result, the driver control period is shortened to a period of seventy-five seconds immediately after the autonomous period has been scored, and the autonomous bonus has been awarded to the correct alliance to keep matches at a length of two minutes.

VEX AI

On April 25, 2020, VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation announced a new platform of competitions, the VEX AI Competition. The new platforms will use the VEX V5 Construction and Control System, and registration will be available to high school and college teams.[49][50]

The competition is fully autonomous and will use an array of new sensors, including the VEX Game Positioning System (VEX GPS); VEX AI microprocessor; VEX AI Vision Sensor with depth perception; VEX LINK, a wireless robot-to-robot communications interface; and the VEX Sensor Fusion Map, a new multi-sensor integration technology which uses sensory data from the robots to render the course in real-time 3D. Each team will build and program two robots. Teams will be able to 3D print and machine parts, use custom electronics, and utilize an unlimited quantity of motors.[51]

The pilot program is scheduled to open for registration to university students in the fall of 2020. After registration begins, any high school teams that wish to participate must apply for program admission. Unlike university participants, only those high school teams that show exceptional preparedness for this level of advanced competition will be allowed to compete.[5] VEX AI robotics teams will be able to compete in the VEX AI Competition. Unlike VEX U, this competition will be completely separate from the VRC Competition.[50]

VEX Robotics World Championship

The VEX Robotics World Championship brings together qualifying teams from the two VEX Robotics programs: the VEX IQ Challenge, VEX Robotics Competition, with the VEX AI Competition bringing the number to three in 2022. The championship is an international celebration of the robotics community and a final tournament to crown the VEX World Champions in each league. The 2021–24 championships are scheduled to be held in Dallas, Texas.[6]

A one-hour special version of the 2016 VEX Robotics World Championship aired on ESPN2 in June 2016.[52] CBS aired a one-hour special version of the 2017 VEX Robotics World Championship on June 11.[53]

During the VEX Robotics World Championship, a "Parade of Nations" is held and includes hundreds of students, often dressed in costumes, from more than thirty countries.[54]

The 2020 VEX Robotics World Championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[55] On March 30, 2020, VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation announced they would host the first-ever VEX Robotics Virtual World Celebration on April 25, 2020. The event celebrated the accomplishments of all teams and revealed the 2020–21 VEX Robotics Competition and VEX IQ Challenge.[56] During this event, VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation also hosted a Fantasy Robotics simulation for all levels in the VEX Robotics Program, using statistics from state and qualifying tournaments.[57] On January 20, 2021, the REC Foundation along with VEX Robotics announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2021 VEX World Championships would be modified to an online fully remote tournament and would also include remote skills matches.[58]

VEX Robotics World Championship Venues
Venue Location Years
California State University, Northridge Northridge, California 2008
Dallas Convention Center Dallas, Texas 2009–10
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Kissimmee, Florida 2011
Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California 2012–14
Kentucky Exposition Center and Freedom Hall Louisville, Kentucky 2015–19
2020 (planned)[lower-alpha 1]
VEX Robotics Headquarters Greenville, Texas 2020[lower-alpha 1]
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Texas[6] 2022–24
2021 (planned)[lower-alpha 2][58]
  1. 1.0 1.1 Because the 2020 VEX Robotics World Championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Virtual World Celebration event was held with no in-person attendees.
  2. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the event was modified to an online remote tournament along with a skills only portion therefore it will not include an in person aspect.

Role in pedagogy

VEX Robotics competitions have been of interest to educators as a way of stimulating students' interest in hands-on learning, engineering, and computer programming. The Department of Engineering and Technology Education at Utah State University has created a Design Academy with a curriculum for teaching skills through participation in a VEX Robotics Competition.[59] In addition, VEX Robotics provides two other programs aiming to introduce these skills at an early age in the classroom: VEX 123, and VEX Go.

VEX 123

VEX 123 is a VEX Robotics program aimed to introduce basic turtle-style programming to young students in kindergarten through second grade. It uses a small round robot with a front, wheels, and an audio speaker (the '123 Robot'), which is programmed to drive around a plastic course using either a handheld wireless programming module (the 'Coder') or a mobile device (not included) with Scratch-based programming software. The course is modular and can be built differently to present different programming challenges. VEX provides multiple pre-prepared STEM Labs designed for different classroom settings, such as language arts and mathematics. The VEX 123 STEM Labs are "designed to provoke STEM thinking and spark creative problem-solving ideas."[60]

VEX GO

VEX GO is a robotics program that introduces robotics to students in third grade and upwards. GO is designed to be an affordable construction system for teaching the fundamentals of STEM through engaging, collaborative, and hands-on activities that help young students learn coding and engineering concepts.[61]

References

  1. "Home". https://www.roboticseducation.org/. 
  2. Stephenson, Kristen (May 16, 2018). "Over 30,000 students help to break the record for largest robot competition". http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2018/5/over-30-000-students-help-to-break-the-record-for-largest-robot-competition-525746. 
  3. "Robotica educativa e Coding: Kit di robotica avanzata VEX V5 per didattica STEM". https://www.siadsrl.net/robotica-educativa-e-coding/kit-di-robotica-avanzata-vex-v5-per-didattica-stem-consigliato-per-scuola-superiore. 
  4. "Robotica educativa e Coding: Robot educativo per didattica STEAM e coding". https://www.siadsrl.net/robotica-educativa-e-coding/vex-iq-robot-educativo-per-didattica-steam-e-coding-consigliato-per-scuola-media-e-superiore. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 "VEX AI Competition - Competition - V5 - VEX Robotics". https://www.vexrobotics.com/v5/competition/vex-ai. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "VEX Robotics World Championship". roboticseducation.org. https://www.roboticseducation.org/robotics-education-competition-rec-foundation-and-the-dallas-sports-commission-announce-the-vex-robotics-world-championship-returning-to-dallas-for-2021-2024//. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "V5 - VEX Robotics". https://www.vexrobotics.com/v5. 
  8. "Coding and Computational Thinking with VEX V5". https://www.cmu.edu/roboticsacademy/roboticscurriculum/VEX%20Curriculum/coding_v5.html. 
  9. "VEXcode Overview". https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexcode. 
  10. "PROS". https://pros.cs.purdue.edu/. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 "VEX Robotics VRC Team List". VRC. https://www.vexrobotics.com/. 
  12. "V5 - VEX Robotics". https://www.vexrobotics.com/v5. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 "Competition Overview - Competition - V5 - VEX Robotics". https://www.vexrobotics.com/v5/competition/vrc-current-game. 
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