Course Description

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of robotics using the VEX Robotics platform, alongside foundational programming through VEX code (Blocks). Students will learn engineering design principles, teamwork, problem-solving, and basic to intermediate coding skills.

Units of Study

Quarter 1: Foundations

• Lab safety & expectations

• Identifying parts & tools

• Engineering design process

• Introduction to VEX code environment

• Basic robot movement

Quarter 2: Building & Programming

• Team-based robot construction

• Sensors and control

• Coding: loops, conditionals, troubleshooting

• Engineering notebooks

Quarter 3: Challenges & Team Dynamics

• Mini-challenges and performance testing

• Autonomous vs. driver control

• Advanced build iterations

• Design documentation

Quarter 4: Competition Prep & Capstone

• Final builds for competition

• Team strategy and programming integration

• Mock competitions and refinement

• Portfolio or presentation project

Grading Breakdown

Category Weight

Participation & Clean-Up 15%

Parts Organization & Management 15%

Teamwork & Collaboration 15%

Build & Engineering Process 25%

Coding Assignments & Projects 20%

Quizzes & Written Reflections 10%

Grading Criteria Explained

Participation & Clean-Up (15%)

• Daily effort, safety, and care

• Keeping stations clean and resetting for next group

Parts Organization (15%)

• Correctly returning parts to bins

• Keeping screws, nuts, sensors sorted and labeled

• Avoiding mixed or misplaced hardware

Teamwork & Collaboration (15%)

• Shared responsibilities

• Positive communication

• Rotating roles: builder, coder, manager

 Build & Engineering Process (25%)

• Following instructions/plans

• Creative and functional custom designs

• Safe, efficient, iterative building

Coding Assignments (20%)

• Weekly challenges or missions

• Logical programming structures

• Commenting and troubleshooting

• Final working autonomous programs

Quizzes & Reflections (10%)

• Short concept quizzes

• Notebook updates or digital reflections

• Project summaries

Competition Opportunities

Each grade level (6th, 7th, and 8th) will have the opportunity to compete in at least three robotics competitions during the school year.

• Students will be selected for competition teams based on performance, effort, teamwork, and coding/building skills.

• Team rosters are not fixed; students may be rotated or replaced throughout the season based on merit, behavior, leadership, and overall contribution.

• The goal is to give as many students as possible a chance to experience competition, while maintaining a competitive team representing the school.

• A state-level competition team will be chosen from each grade based on performance and commitment.

• All students, regardless of team status, will participate in classroom challenges, mock competitions, and robot development.