VEX Robotics Competition

The VEX Robotics Competition allows students to design and build a robot from scratch to compete in regional, national and international events using the VEX V5 robotic platform. The actual challenge changes every year, but the same concepts remain so students and teams knowledge can grow with the programme.

The VEX V5 System can also be used in the classroom during the day as well as in afterschool clubs with free curriculum (education.vex.com) and free programming (code.vex.com) software available to all. The 2020-2021 game, VEX Robotics Competition Change Up, is played on a 12’x12’ square field. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play.

The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by placing balls in goals and connecting rows – like a 3D version of robotics tic-tac-toe.

Online support is available in the VEX Forum and the VEX Knowledge Base (help.vex.com), from the UK-based Competition Support Manager (emeasupport@roboticseducation.org) and from the existing community of students and teachers already involved.

Changes to the games have been made to allow competition to continue despite Covid-19. These include more online challenges, remote skills and remote competition events. Check out www.roboticseducation.org/covid for more information. VEX Robotics have also released support at covid.vex.com.

By its nature, robotics brings together all four legs of STEM while the competitive environment increases motivation and desire to succeed. This allows knowledge and skill development to flourish without compromising either. It also increases interpersonal skills, teamwork, creativity, perseverance, problem solving and time management – all key skills looked for by industry.

Students can also apply for a CREST Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold (depending on the length of time they have worked on the project).

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