Robotics Program

About Us

The West High Robotics Team is an after-school co-curricular activity that advances STEM education in our community. We have four competitive robotics teams and a non-competitive robotics group under one roof at West High. 

Students with an aptitude or interest in robotics, coding, design, drawing, 3D modeling, documentation, teamwork, and collaboration might be a good fit for joining our Robotics Program. 

• The Robotics Program competitive teams are geared toward preparing for and competing in VEX Robotics Competitions at the local, regional, state, and international levels. 

• Our non-competitive group has more flexible attendance expectations and choice project options.

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Sponsors

• Chris Donaldson, robotics team head coach

• Alison Dwyer, robotics team assistant coach

• Paul Schwent, robotics team assistant coach

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Meetings:  Room 1408 (Ms. Dwyer)

• Informational meetings

  • Wed, 09/27/2023, from 2:45-4:00 PM

  • Mon, 10/02/2023, from 2:45-4:00 PM

• Attendance at one interest meeting is required to apply for the competitive team or non-competitive group.

• Regular meetings are open to members only and held weekly on Mondays with additional dates scheduled as needed to prepare for competitions.

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Highlights:

• 4 competitive and collaborative teams under one roof

• Non-competitive group with flexible schedule

• Commitment to diversity & inclusivity

• Local, regional, state, and international competitions

• Qualified for the VEX World Championship 3 years in a row

• Ranked in the top 8 teams in the world (2021)

• Community outreach

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Our overarching goals:

• Engage students in authentic, student-centered, team-based experiential learning  

• Positively impact students’ attitudes towards STEM concepts, classes, and career choices

• Enable educational experiences that cultivate critical and creative thinking, motivation, data driven decisions, and the ability to work collaboratively

• Help prepare our future workforce and prime the STEM career pipeline

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General Robotics Team Information

PLEASE NOTE: Website updates for the 2023-24 WHS robotics team season and membership application process are underway. This note will be removed when this webpage is up-to-date. 

MEMBER REQUIREMENTS:
Click Here to review the requirements for all West High robotics team members (PKWY google acct. required to view).

Possible Roles on Competitive Robotics Teams:

• Team Lead

• Mechanic

• Programmer

• Quality Assurance

• Strategy and Scouting

• Engineering Notebook

• Space Layout and Process Flow

• Competition Prep

• Research and Development

• 3D Solid Modeling/CAD

Possible Officer Positions:

• President

• Vice President

• Sr. Programmer

• Sr. Mechanic

• Systems Integration

• Design and R&D

• Marketing/Communications

• Operations & Funding

• Strategy

• Scouting

Possible Non-competitive Group Choice Projects:

• Popular coding platforms and robotics-specific languages

• Simulation software

• Robotics equipment and kits

• STEM kits and spatial games

• 3D modeling/3D printing and laser cutting

• Drone & GoPro use for team promo video footage

• Audio/video editing

• and more...

2023-24 Membership Fees

• Competitive ($250) - Offsets the cost of competition-specific equipment, initial team registrations, and local/regional competition event registrations

• Non-competitive ($175) - Offsets the cost of non-competitive robotics equipment, specialty project equipment, and access to 3D printer and laser cutter + materials

• The membership fee will be applied to the accepted student's Infinite Campus account after membership application/selection.

• Please submit payment online via Infinite Campus. Click Here for instructions. Log in, go to 'More' and then click 'Online Payments'.

• The 2023-24 membership fee amounts stayed the same as the 2022-23 season in order to support the team's desire to increase activity, make more specialty equipment available to members, and adjust to increased equipment costs. Membership fee increases are expected for the 2024-25 school year.

• PLEASE NOTE: Additional fees will apply if we qualify for signature events, the state tournament, and/or international competitions. If we must take a bus to a competition, the same applies. We will keep additional costs as low as possible.

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2023-24 Competitive Season (updated 10/01/2023):

We will continue our WHS robotics team for the 2023-24 school year. Some logistics are in flux and include:

• Interest meetings begin the week of 09/25 (see above).

• An After-school Activity Bus is provided this school year by Parkway that runs Mon - Thurs (not Fri) and departs at 4:00 PM. Students can also plan on self-transporting and carpooling as desired.

• The membership application process will be confirmed during interest meetings and include competitive team and non-competitive group opportunities.

• Open spots for a competitive team and the non-competitive group are limited and fill fast (TBD based upon number of returning and interested members, strength of applications, etc.).

• Dates/times/locations of meetings will be discussed during the interest meetings. 

  • Competitive robotics team members should expect to meet 4-8 hours minimum per week plus events with assigned roles/tasks in relation to the current VEX Robotics Competition. All competitive team members should expect to meet one day per week after school on campus during a regularly scheduled meeting (with a minimum of 85% attendance).

  • Non-competitive group members have the liberty of more flexible attendance with flexible projects based upon personal interests.

• The number of robotics competitions this school year is TBD (in-person only). WHS competition activity is expected to be high. Local/regional Missouri tournaments are posted on www.robotevents.com. Click Here for a filtered view of events that we will consider as a team. Official events that we are currently registered for are listed below.

We look forward to sharing more soon.

Thank you, 

Mr. D.

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2023-24 VEX Robotics Competitions*:* Click event names for the official RobotEvents page, general info., agenda, health/safety policies, results, awards, and more.

Local & Regional Tournaments (confirmed)

• Potosi High School Vex VRC Tournament

  • Saturday, 11/04/2023, 7:00AM - 4:00 PM

  • Trojan Intermediate School

  • 367 Intermediate Dr.

  • Potosi, MO 63664

  • Registered Teams: 5430A and 5430D (Early Bird)

  • NOTE: 1.5-hour drive, no bus transportation provided.
    
    

•  UniTec Over/Under Tournament HS Only

  • Saturday, 11/18/2023, 7:30AM - 4:30 PM

  • North County Intermediate School

  • 801 East Elm Street

  • Desloge, Missouri 63601

  • Registered Teams: 5430A and 5430D (Early Bird)

  • NOTE: 1-hour drive, no bus transportation provided.

• Troy Winter VRC Classic

  • Saturday, 01/27/2024, 7:00AM - 4:30 PM

  • Troy Buchanan High School

  • 1190 Old Cap Au Gris Rd.

  • Troy, MO 63379

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430C, and 5430D.

  • NOTE: 45-min drive, no bus transportation provided.
    
    

• Ladue VRC Tournament

  • Sunday, 02/04/2024, 7:00AM - 4:30 PM
    NOTE: High School tournament is on Sun, 02/04, because
    the Middle School tournament is on Sat, 02/03.

  • Ladue Middle School

  • 9701 Conway Road

  • St. Louis, Missouri 63124

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430D

  • NOTE: 20-min drive, no bus transportation provided.
    
    

• Missouri VEX Robotics Competition High School State Championship*

  • Saturday, 03/02/2024

  • Mineral Area College

  • 5270 Flat River Road

  • Park Hills, Missouri 63601

  • Registered teams*: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, 5430D
    * Teams must qualify or be invited from the World Skills Standings.
    * We are currently seeking funds to support this event and potential participation by all four West High teams.

Local & Regional Tournaments (considering)

• No other local/regional MO events posted at this time (w/in 1.5-hour drive).

• Click Here to check for newly posted local/regional MO events.

High-profile Tournaments (considering)

• 2023 VEX World Championship*

  • Thurs, 04/25 - Sat, 04/27/2024

  • Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

  • 650 S. Griffin

  • Dallas, TX 75202

  • Registered team: 5430A*
    * Teams must qualify at the MO State Championship.
    * We are currently seeking funds to support this event and potential participation by up to two West High teams.

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2022-23 VEX Robotics Competitions*:* Click event names for the official RobotEvents page, general info., agenda, health/safety policies, results, awards, and more.

Local & Regional Tournaments

• Potosi High School Vex VRC Tournament

  • Saturday, 11/05/2022, 7:30AM - 4:30 PM

  • Trojan Intermediate School

  • 367 Intermediate Dr.

  • Potosi, MO 63664

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430D

  • NOTE: 1.5-hour drive, no bus transportation provided.

• UCC Spin Up Spectacular

  • Saturday, 12/10/2022, 8:00AM - 4:30 PM

  • North County Middle School

  • 406 East Chestnut Street

  • Desloge, MO 63601

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430D

  • NOTE: 1-hour drive, no bus transportation provided.

• Northwest VEX Tournament

  • Saturday, 01/07/2023, 7:30AM - 4:30 PM

  • Northwest Valley Middle School

  • 4300 Gravois Road

  • House Springs, MO 63051

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430D

  • NOTE: 30-minute drive, no bus transportation provided.

• Troy Winter VRC Classic

  • Saturday, 01/28/2023, 7:30AM - 4:30 PM

  • Troy Buchanan High School

  • 1190 Old Cap Au Gris Rd.

  • Troy, MO 63379

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430D

  • NOTE: 45-min drive, no bus transportation provided.

• Ladue VRC Tournament

  • Sunday, 02/05/2023, 7:00AM - 4:30 PM
    NOTE: High School tournament is on Sun, 02/05, because Middle School tournament is on Sat, 02/04.

  • Ladue Middle School

  • 9701 Conway Road

  • St. Louis, Missouri 63124

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430D

  • NOTE: 20-min drive, no bus transportation provided.

• Missouri VEX Robotics Competition High School State Championship

  • Saturday, 03/11/2023

  • Lincoln University

  • 809 Lafayette St.

  • Jefferson City, MO 65101

  • Registered teams: 5430A, 5430D*
    * Teams must qualify or be invited from the World Skills Standings. If 5430B and 5430C qualify, they will be registered.
    We are currently seeking funds to support this event and potential participation by all four West High teams.

• 2023 CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Championship - VRC High School Division 

  • Thursday, 03/23/2023 - Saturday, 03/25/2023

  • Mid-America Center
    5 Arena Way
    Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 

  • Official CREATE U.S. Open website 

  • Agenda (2023 schedule not yet published)

  • Webcast Link (not yet published)

• 2023 VEX World Championship

  • 04/25 - 04/27/2023

  • Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

  • 650 S. Griffin

  • Dallas, TX 75202

  • Official RobotEvents page

  • Registered team: None at this time*
    * Teams must qualify or be invited from a waitlist.
    * We are currently seeking funds to support this event and the opportunity for multiple teams to participate.

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2021-22 VEX Robotics Competitions*:* Click event names for the official RobotEvents page, general info., agenda, health/safety policies, results, awards, and more.

Local & Regional Tournaments

• Potosi High School Vex VRC Tournament

  • Saturday, 11/06/2021, 7:30AM - 4:00 PM

  • Trojan Intermediate School

  • 367 Intermediate Dr.

  • Potosi, MO 63664

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430C, and 5430V

  • NOTE: 1.5-hour drive, no bus transportation provided.

• UCC VRC Tipping Point Rumble

  • Saturday, 12/11/2021, 8:00AM - 4:30 PM

  • North County Middle School

  • 406 East Chestnut Street

  • Desloge, MO 63601

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430V

  • NOTE: 1-hour drive, no bus transportation provided.

• Troy Winter VRC Classic

  • Saturday, 01/29/2022, 7:30AM - 4:30 PM

  • Troy Buchanan High School

  • 1190 Old Cap Au Gris Rd.

  • Troy, MO 63379

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430V

  • NOTE: 45-min drive, no bus transportation provided.

• Ladue VRC Tournament

  • Saturday, 02/05/2022, 7:00AM - 4:30 PM

  • Ladue Middle School

  • 9701 Conway Road

  • St. Louis, Missouri 63124

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430B, 5430C, and 5430V

  • NOTE: 20-min drive, no bus transportation provided.

Signature Events, State* & Worlds 2022*

• Speedway Tipping Point Signature Event

  • 11/12 - 11/13/2021

  • Dallara IndyCar Factory

  • 1201 Main Street

  • Speedway, IN 46224

  • Registered Team: 5430A

  • NOTE: No bus transportation provided.

• Kalahari Signature Event

  • 01/21 - 01/22/2022

  • Kalahari Resorts Sandusky

  • 7000 Kalahari Drive

  • Sandusky, OH 44870

  • Registered team: 5430A

  • NOTE: No bus transportation provided.

• Missouri VEX High School State Championship

  • Saturday, 02/19/2022

  • State Technical College of Missouri

  • 1 Technology Drive

  • Linn, MO 65051

  • Registered teams: 5430A, 5430C*

  • * Teams must qualify or be invited from the World Skills Standings. If 5430B and 5430V qualify, they will be registered.

  • * We are currently seeking funds to support this event and potential participation by all four West High teams.

• 2022 VEX World Championship

  • 05/05 - 05/07/2022

  • Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

  • 650 S. Griffin

  • Dallas, TX 75202

  • Registered team: 5430A*

  • * Teams must qualify or be invited from a waitlist. 

  • * We are currently seeking funds to support this event and potentially another West High team's participation.

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2020-21 VEX Robotics Competitions:

• VEX MN December Skills-only Remote Live

  • Saturday, 12/12/2020, 8:00AM - 5:00PM 

  • Hosted virtually using video-conferencing software (Microsoft Teams and Zoom)

  • Webcast: livestreamed and recorded on the VEX MN YouTube Channel

  • Registered Teams: Blue Brains (5430A) & Memory Leak (5430C)

  • Tournament Results:

    • Blue Brains (5430A) - Design Award and 4th place overall

    • Memory Leak (5430C) - 3rd place overall

• VRC Clash in the Cloud 3

  • Saturday, 12/19/2020, 8:00AM - 5:00PM 

  • Hosted virtually using video-conferencing software (18x18az)

  • Webcast: livestreamed and recorded on the 18x18az Twitch Stream

  • Registered Team: Memory Leak (5430C)

  • Tournament Results: 

    • 4th place overall

• VEX MN January Skills-only Remote Live

  • Saturday, 01/02/2021, 8:00AM - 5:00PM 

  • Hosted virtually using video-conferencing software (Microsoft Teams and Zoom)

  • Webcast: livestreamed and recorded on the VEX MN YouTube Channel

  • Registered Team: Memory Leak (5430C)

  • Tournament Results: 

    • 5430C finished 10th out of 28 teams.

  • World Skills Standings:

    • 5430C is ranked #2 in Missouri, #36 in US (out of 707 teams), #52 in the world (out of 857 teams)

    • 5430A is ranked #3 in Missouri, #205 in US (out of 707 teams), #262 in the world (out of 857 teams)

• REC Unite Online Challenge Sponsored by Google 

  • Registered Team: Talk Nerdy to Me (5430V)

  • The team advocated for inclusion and better representation of women, minorities, and all abilities in STEM fields and robotics. Click Here to view their video submission (3 min.) that is well-grounded in research and their personal experience. 

  • Results: Click Here to view videos submitted by the REC Online Challenge Winners.

• Troy Winter Classic (Blended)

  • Saturday, 01/16/2021, 7:30AM - 4:30PM

  • Troy Buchanan High School

  • 1190 Old Cap Au Gris Rd, Troy, Missouri, 63379

  • Registered teams: 5430A, 5430C, 5430D, and 5430V. 

  • Tournament Results:

    • Memory Leak (5430C) - Tournament Finalist Award & Sportsmanship Award (ranked 3rd overall at event)

    • Blue Brains (5430A) - Amaze Award (ranked 6th overall at the event)

    • Talk Nerdy to Me (5430V) - advanced to finals (ranked 7th overall at event)

    • Syntax Error (5430D) - advanced to finals (ranked 11th overall at event) 

  • World Skills Standings:

    • 5430C is ranked #2 in Missouri, #43 in US (out of 1,344  teams), #72 in the world (out of 1,560 teams)

    • 5430A is ranked #7 in Missouri

    • 5430V is ranked #12 in Missouri

• VRC Wylie Robotics January Event, Skills Only (no judges interview)

  • Saturday, 01/30/2021, 8:00AM - 5:00PM 

  • Hosted virtually using video-conferencing software (Zoom)

  • Webcast: No

  • Registered Team: Memory Leak (5430C)

  • Tournament Results:

    • Memory Leak (5403C) - 2nd place overall

• Potomac Pre-Recorded Remote Skills

  • Wed, 02/03 6:00 AM - Fri, 02/05/2021 11:59PM 

  • Hosted virtually using video

  • Webcast: No

  • Registered Team: Blue Brains (5430A), Memory Leak (5430C)

  • Tournament Results:

    • Memory Leak (5430C) - 2nd place

    • Blue Brains (5430A) - 3rd place

• Virtual Change Up Skills Event with Remote Judging (NY)

  • Sat, 02/13 - Sun, 02/14 8:30 AM - 5:40 PM EST

  • Hosted virtually using video

  • Webcast: No

  • Registered Team: Blue Brains (5430A), Syntax Error (5430D), Talk Nerdy to Me (5430V)

  • Tournament Results: 

    • Blue Brains (5430A) - Excellence Award and 2nd place overall

    • Syntax Error (5430D) - 5th place overall

    • Talk Nerdy to Me (5430V) - 6th place overall 

  • World Skills Standings: (as of 03/01/2021)

    • Memory Leak (5430C) - #1 in Missouri, #52 in the world

    • Blue Brains (5430A) - #3 in Missouri, #175 in the world

    • Syntax Error (5430D) - #10 in Missouri

    • Talk Nerdy to Me (5430V) - #12 in Missouri

• UCC Shocker Showdown (In Person and Blended)

  • Saturday, 03/06/2021, 7:45AM - 3:30PM

  • North County Senior High School 

  • 7151 Raider Road, Bonne Terre, Missouri 63628 

  • Registered Teams: 5430A, 5430C, 5430D, and 5430V. NOTE: 1-hour drive, no bus transportation provided.

  • Tournament Results:

    • Blue Brains (5430A) - 1st place, Tournament Champion Award, Excellence Award, and qualified for state

    • Talk Nerdy to Me (5430V) - Design Award, advanced to finals, and qualified for state

    • Memory Leak (5430C) - Robot Skills Champion Award, Think Award, advanced to finals, and qualified for state (previously)

    • Syntax Error (5430D) - advanced to finals and qualified for state based upon Skills scores (ranked 10th overall at event) 

• Disco Dynamic VRC Skills - Pre-Recorded

  • Sat, 03/13 6:00 AM - Sun, 03/14/2021

  • Hosted virtually using video

  • Webcast: No

  • Registered Team: Memory Leak (5430C)

  • Tournament Results:

• Missouri VEX Robotics Competition High School State Championship

  • Saturday, 03/27/2020, 7:00AM - 5:00PM

  • North County Senior High School

  • 7151 Raider Road

  • Bonne Terre, MO  63628

  • Registered Team(s)*: Memory Leak (5430C)* Invite-only based upon qualification criteria.

  • NOTE: Number of students/team TBD, team and coaches only. 1 hour drive, transportation TBD.

  • Webcast: TBD

  • Results: TBD

• VRC Live Remote Tournament - RE-VRC-21-4264 

  • Thursday, 04/08/2021, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  •  VEX Live Remote system

  • Registered Team(s): Blue Brains (5430A)

• VRC Live Remote Tournament - RE-VRC-21-4282 

  • Saturday, 04/17/2021, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  •  VEX Live Remote system

  • Registered Team(s): Blue Brains (5430A)

• VRC Live Remote Tournament - RE-VRC-21-4268 

  • Thursday, 04/29/2021, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  •  VEX Live Remote system

  • Registered Team(s): Blue Brains (5430A)

• VRC Live Remote Tournament - RE-VRC-21-4346 

  • Saturday, 05/01/2021, 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM EST (10:30 AM - 4:00 PM CST)

  •  VEX Live Remote system

  • Registered Team(s): Blue Brains (5430A)

• 2021 VEX Robotics World Championship

  • Live Remote Tournament (LRT)

  • 05/20/2021 - 05/22/2021

  • Agenda

    • Morning Division - "Research B" Division

      • Team: Blue Brains (5430A)

    • Afternoon Division - "Arts A" Division

      • Team: Memory Leak (5430C)

  • REC Foundation Live Remote Head-to-Head interface

  • Webcast (REC Foundation YouTube Channel)

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Cancelled 2020-21 VEX Robotics Competitions:

• VRC Live Remote Kirkwood Robotics Tournament (Blended)

  • Utilizes "Remote Head-to-Head Competition" technology

  • Saturday, 12/12/2020, 9:00AM - 3:00PM

  • Hosted virtually by North Kirkwood Middle School

  • NOTE: West High Team 5430A is registered*.* Tournament capacity is only 16 teams, and only one team is allowed per school/organization. Teams 5430C, 5430D, and 5430V are waitlisted in case they consider multiple teams. 

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2019-2020 VEX Robotics Competitions:

• Kirkwood VEX Tournament 

  • Saturday, 12/05/2020, 7:30AM - 3:00PM

  • North Kirkwood Middle School

  • 11287 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, Missouri 63122  

• Troy Winter Classic (Blended)

  • Saturday, 01/18/2020, 7:30AM - 4:30PM

  • Troy Buchanan High School

  • 1190 Old Cap Au Gris Rd, Troy, Missouri, 63379

• 1st Annual Ladue Middle (Blended)

  • Saturday, 02/01/2020, 7:30AM - 4:30PM

  • Ladue Middle School

  • 9701 Conway Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124

• 2020 Mineral Area VRC Challenge at the 4-H Robot and Technology Expo

  • Saturday, 02/08/2020, 7:00AM - 4:30PM

  • Mineral Area College

  • 5270 Flat River Rd.

  • Park Hills, Missouri 63601

• Missouri VEX Robotics Competition High School State Championship

  • Saturday, 02/29/2020, 7:30AM - 5:00PM

  • State Technical College of Missouri

  • 1 Technology Drive, Linn, Missouri, 65051

• 2020 CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Championship - VRC HIGH SCHOOL Tournament

  • Thursday, 04/02/2020, - Saturday, 04/04/2020 

  • Schedule & Webcast Link

  • Mid-America Center

  • 1 Arena Way, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 

• 2020 CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Championship - Open Program Tournament 

  • Thursday, 04/02/2020 - Saturday, 04/04/2020 

  • Schedule & Webcast Link

  • Iowa West Field House

  • 5 Arena Way, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 

• 2020 VEX Robotics World Championship

  • Wednesday, 04/22/2020 - Saturday, 04/25/2020 

  • Schedule & Webcast Link

  • Kentucky Exposition Center

  • 937 Phillips Ln., Louisville, Kentucky 40209 

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2018-2019 VEX Robotics Competitions:

• CREATE US Open Robotics Championship in the Open Program Division (Our Twisted Metal team qualified.)

• 2019 Missouri State VEX Championship (Our Mostly Metal Matador team qualified.)

• Troy Winter Classic - CANCELLED due to snow, no reschedule

• 2nd Annual Cross Keys VRC Tournament 

• Kirkwood VEX Tournament  

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VEX Robotics Competition - Official Site/Links

• Skills Global Ranking

• VRC Awards Appendix