Our Purpose
The purpose of Wilder Robotics is to increase student interest in STEM-related fields through collaboration, creative problem solving, and rewarding activities. We hope to spark students' interest in STEM through a challenging and exciting robotics program where students can learn skills that will positively impact the future!
Check out the current 2023-2024 VEX IQ Challenge:
Check out the short video from a previous VEX World Championships and a video overview of VEX IQ:
Wilder Lego Robotics 2021-2022
What We've Done
Prior to the 2022-2023 school year, the Wilder Robotics was a program in partnership with Engineering And Robotics Learned Young (EARLY) where students work in teams of 3-5 students with Lego Simple and Powered Machine sets to design and create their own robots to compete in an EARLY Robotics challenge.
There was not any coding nor programming involved. Instead, the robots are controlled with a remote connected by wires to the Lego motors. The program provided Wilder Students a good introduction into the world of robotics.
View more pictures of our Lego Robotics program and tournament here: https://k3md.zenfolio.com/wilderlegorobotics
(Courtesy of Kelleher Photography)
Why the Change to VEX?
At the beginning of the 2021-2022 competition season, we were told by Lego that the sets used by our program were no longer available and no longer supported. A program reset would be needed and we began searching for a replacement solution. After reviewing a few options, we decided to go with the VEX IQ product for our competition program for several reasons, including:
Sturdy, snap-together construction.
Easy to learn, easy to build, and easy to revise robots.
The VEX programs are designed to be used from Kindergarten through College/University:
Robots can be driven with a wireless controller and/or programmed to carry out task using Block-based coding, Python, or C++ which accommodates students of varying levels of coding background.
The various VEX systems build upon the same knowledge base and system structure, allowing students to progress naturally through the different programs as they move up in grade level.
VEX partners with the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is "is to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, affordable, and sustainable robotics engineering programs." The REC Foundation has partnered with Alvin ISD to expand the VEX programs in schools throughout the district.
VEX IQ Competition Kit
1,700+ parts with everything needed to build a competition-ready robot!
Block-based Coding
The Code Viewer allows students to see Blocks and Text at the same time, in real-time.
Text-based Coding
Inside the Code Viewer, students can convert their Block-based project to a C++ or Python Text-based project.