If someone would like to join a Vex IQ or VRC robotics club, see if there is one already in your school. If there is, applications and requirements may vary depending on the school. If there isn't, try talking to the school board or the principle of the school about starting a robotics club.
There are only three age divisions in the general Vex Robotics program; Vex IQ, VRC, and Vex U. The Vex IQ age range is anywhere from elementary students (some schools may not allow elementary applications) and middle school students. High school students cannot apply for Vex IQ clubs. The VRC age range is high school students only. The Vex U age range is college-age students.
Robotics is important because it teaches many valuable skills such as problem solving and teamwork. Working in robotics also improves a student's chances of getting into a good college/university, since typical robotics programs require good grades to stay in the program. As well as this, some robotics programs offer or open up opportunities to get scholarships!
Robotics programs, at least in the case of my school, help to improve publicity for the school. We have local newspapers from years past of competitions that we've done well at, and those newspapers helped to improve the publicity of our school. Robotics programs help raise money for the school as well.
Its actually more simple than it seems to start a robotics program! If the school allows it, all you have to do is buy a kit (or multiple ones) and start up a team for your own. Its recommended to have an adult sponsor or mentor your team, but not required.
You can support your robotics programs by volunteering at events, sponsoring teams/programs, and even simply coming to the competitions to cheer on the teams! Any support is greatly appreciated by the school and the program.