Extending the Hands-On
Experience Through VEX
Robotics Competition
Nancy McIntyre
Robotics Education & Competition
Foundation
PLTW schools that are using VEX,
seeking education materials and
information, should consult their PLTW
websites and resource people first and
use the general VEX resources as a
supplement.
Education Resources for VEX Robotics Design
System (Middle & High School)
- Autodesk VEX Robotics Curriculum:
http://curriculum.vexrobotics.com
- Standards Mapping Details for Autodesk VEX Robotics
Curriculum:
http://curriculum.vexrobotics.com/teachermaterials/standards-matching-and-accreditation
- Autodesk VEX Robotics Course Syllabus (and other
teacher materials) – download from:
http://curriculum.vexrobotics.com/teacher-materials
Developing a Team
• Team identity
• Designers - CAD
Autodesk Inventor
• Team Name
• Engineering
• Logo
Notebook
• Team Colors
• Programmers
• Team Motto
• Scouts
• Jobs on the team
• Develop a leadership • P R people
program
• Website Design
• Drive Team
• Video production
• Pit Team
The Game Toss Up
• http://www.vexforum.com/wiki/index.php/Toss_Up
Gathering Ideas from Everyone
Brainstorming
Mindmapping Freemind.com
Engineering Notebook
Project Management
Organization
Game theory
Brain storming
Initial Design Process
Testing
Improvement Process
Programming
Building Tips
How to work with VEX parts
• Tools
• Basic assembly
• Components and their function
Construction tips for competitive robotics
• Keps nuts vs nyloc nuts
• Support structures
• Focus on quality of construction
• Screw Difference
• Loading of motors and the build up of heat
• Remember to keep things organized
Developing CAD
Autodesk Inventor
• # 1 Learning Interface
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-vSc79XsO8
• # 2 Mate and Flush Constraints
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5O8JMMQmK0&feature=r
elmfu
• # 3 Tangent Constraints
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnugr7qLOcc&feature=rel
mfu
• #4 How to Rotate Gears Wheels and Sprockets
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLKPI212rfc&feature=relm
fu
• #5 How to Rotate an Arm
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3lfvn7Fuc&feature=relmfu
• #6 How to Cut Parts
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyM8UYEmAg8&feature=r
elmfu
•
• Inventor Tutorial:
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aFv4H2n_PQ&feature=re
lated
• Simulation Guide Demonstration
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mChsz8esv_E&feature=fv
wrel
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VEX CAD Files:
http://www.vexforum.com/wiki/index.php/VEXCAD
VEX Autodesk Education Community
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=vex&tagent=VEX-2012LA-4-13-2012
Student Spotlight on VEX and Morgan Montalvo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlIPYvGwlM&feature=player_embedded
Global Skills Program
Robot Skills Challenge
In this challenge teams will compete in sixty (60)
second long matches in an effort to score as many points as
possible. These matches will be entirely driver controlled.
The playing field will be set up identically to that of a normal
VEX Sack Attack tournament match.
Programming Skills Challenge
In this challenge teams will compete in sixty (60)
second long matches in an effort to score as many points as
possible. These matches will be autonomous with exceptions
for minor human interaction. The playing field will be set up
identically to that of a normal VEX Sack Attack tournament
match.
Online Challenges 2013/ 2014 Season
a. The Autodesk Sustainable Design Challenge is an online, skill-based
challenge being run by the Robotics Education & Competition
Foundation (RECF.) Sustainability is about using engineering and
science to reduce human environmental impact.
b. FUTURE Foundation Build a VEX robot to deliver trophies to award
winners at robotics tournament awards presentations. Think of your
robot as the helper that makes presenting trophies a fun and exciting
part of the awards ceremonies. It is up to you to figure out how this
would work, but it should be useful, creative and interesting.
c. Robotics Essay
d. Team Educational Video
e. Team Website
f. Game Design /Animation
g. Promote Award
Involving Parents and Professionals
• Invite team parents to an evening presentation on the scholarships
that are available for students who are interested in studying in the
STEM fields
• Encourage parents of students from all grades to attend.
• Enlist the help of the guidance office.
• Invite a local university admission officer to help explain the process.
Show off the Scholarships
Allow them to drive old robots.
Teach how to build structures using your robots.
• When people ask how they can help….
Driving Cooking
Sewing Shopping
Frequent Flyer Miles
Business Contacts
Resources
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
http://www.roboticseducation.org/
VEX ROBOTICS
WWW.VEXROBOTICS.COM
ROBOT EVENTS
WWW.ROBOTEVENTS.COM
VEX Forum
www.vexforum.com
Event Partner
www.vexrobotics.com/vrc_epdocs
Toss UP
http://www.vexforum.com/wiki/index.php/Toss_Up
VEX Curriculum
http://curriculum.vexrobotics.com/
Thank you for your time and interest
Nancy McIntyre
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Nancy_mcintyre@roboticseducation.org
805-428-1528