Embedded Files
Purpose
Purpose
In the Robotics Club/Teams, we'll learn about VEX Robotics coding and engineering and build robots to compete in local VEX Robotics Competitions.
Date/Time/Place
Date/Time/Place
The Robotics Club meets every Wednesday from 3:25pm-4:25pm in room 166
Sponsors
Sponsors
Thanks for your support!
Gold Tier Sponsors
Stokes Family
Silver Tier Sponsors
David & Celinda Evans
Bronze Tier Sponsors
If you or someone you know would like to sponsor us, check out this sponsorship brochure our students made, or this 1-pager flyer/Coach's letter!
Costs to participate in VEX robotics
Team Registration - $200/team
Competition Participation - $50/team/event
State competition Participation - $100/team
Robot - $1000+/team
Game/Field elements - $650/field/year (We get 1-2 fields per year)
Portable Game Fields - $850 per field (replacing as needed - We have 3 fields and we anticipate replacing 1 every year)
Replacing/New parts - $1000+/year
Robotics participation is expensive - we estimate $1000-$2000 per team per year. Please consider sponsoring our program to help provide equitable access for our students to participate in robotics!
2024-2025 Sponsors
2024-2025 Sponsors
Gold
Cafe Yumm!
Stokes Family
2023-2024 Sponsors
2023-2024 Sponsors
Gold
Oregon Cascade Heating & Plumbing, Inc.
Silver
Premier Remodeling & Design
First Tech Federal Credit Union
David & Celinda Evans
Bronze
R. L. Reimers Co.
2025-2026 Game - Push Back
2025-2026 Game - Push Back
[Placeholder for season schedule]
Game Points & Important Rules
Game Points & Important Rules
Points
+3 scored blocks
+10 control bonus long goals (Most blocks in center section)
+8 control bonus upper center goals (Most blocks)
+6 control bonus lower center goals (Most blocks)
+8 parking bonus (1 robot)
+30 parking bonus (2 robots)
Autonomous Bonus:
+10 team w/ highest score
+5 to each team if tie
AWP:Â
7+ alliance blocks scored
3+ goals scored w/ alliance block
3+ alliance blocks removed from loaders adjacent to alliance station
Not touching parked zone barrier
Important Rules
Must start w/ Preload
No possession limits
Starting size: < 18"x18"x18"
Expansion Limits: 22"x22"x22"
No 3D printed parts can be on the robot (can be used off the robot)
Motors limits: 8 11-watt motors (or up to 88 watts in total)
If a scored block is touching a robot (of the same alliance color) at the end of the match, it's not considered scored.
Autonomous Period:
Parking does not count during autonomous period
Any violations awards other team Autonomous bonus
If both teams have violation, neither team gets bonus
Skills Points & Important Rules
Skills Points & Important Rules
Skills Specific Scoring
+1 Blocks scored
+5 bonus filled control zone (long)*
+10 bonus filled control zone (center)*
+5 cleared park zone
+5 cleared loader
+15 parked robot
Skills Specific rules
Same as Head-to-Head unless otherwise stated
Start in red starting zone
Color of blocks doesn't matter.
Start w/ red preload
*All blocks in the control zone must be of the same color for this bonus
*Center control zone must have 7 blocks to be considered filled.
Competition Prep - Know Before You Go
Competition Prep - Know Before You Go
2025-2026 Game Info
2025-2026 Game Info
Resources & Printables - Resources
Game Manual - 2025-2026 Competition: Push Back
Q&A - Official Q&A: 2025-2026: Push Back
Game Overview - Push Back 2-Pager
Inspection Checklist - High Stakes Inspection Checklist
Scoring Sheets - Tournament - Skills
Hero Bot Build - "Dex" Hero Robot (Consider starting w/ this robot)
Youtube - VEX Push Back Field Explanation
Youtube - VEX V5 Pushback Game Reveal (more in depth)
Youtube - UnVexed
Team Roles
Team Roles
Teams - Develop roles and responsibilities early on and ensure that there's overlap (multiple people sharing the same job). Take more than 1 role.
Example roles that each team needs to fill:
Lead Programming
Controlled Programmer
Skills/Autonomous Programmer
Lead Engineer
Mechanism design
Prototype Engineer
CAD Modeler
Photographer/Videographer
Notebook Journalist
Competition Driver
Skills Drivers
Pit crew
Competition Scouts
Sponsor Advocate - Regularly reaches out to sponsors & potential sponsors
Webmaster/Media Specialist
Competition Checklist
Competition Checklist
Robot
Laptop & charger
Toolbox (w/ all the spare parts you might need)
Safety Glasses
Extension Cord
Power Strip
Team License Plates (2 red, 2 blue)
Battery Charger & Data Cable
Extra Batteries
Extra Controller
Extra Brain
Extra Motors
Highlighter
Engineering Notebook or blank notebook for taking physical notes that can be added to digital notebook later.
Snacks
Beverages
Portable Dry-erase boards & Markers.
Posterboard & Stand for team schedule
Birkel's Advice for Qualifying for State
Birkel's Advice for Qualifying for State
Daily updates on Engineering Journal (Make this priority #1!)
Focus on Skills Performance/Scores, Autonomous Robots. Do a Skills Run every week!
Have 1 or 2 members of the team focus on engineering ideas separate from the main robot and implement the ideas after you have a working prototype
Don't scrap & rebuild the robot any time during the week of a competition!
Team/Parent Info
Team/Parent Info
Student Survey
Student Survey
Please fill out this Info Survey so Mr. Birkel can get an idea of the students participating and their contact information.
Schedule
Schedule
This is the info for the competitions being held this year. The 4 main areas of this document are:
League Events (2-3 hours)
State Events (Long, possibly 2 days)
South Salem Event (1 day)
Other Events (1 day)
South Salem High School currently only participates in League Events, Local Events (North, West, and South Salem Events), and the State competition.
If students are interested in other events (see RobotEvents.com for a list of other events), they must communicate these to Mr. Birkel months in advance in order to sign up for them before they're full and for him to plan accordingly.
School Permission Slip
School Permission Slip
Please make sure every member of the team has this permission slip filled out - Ask Mr. Birkel for a physical copy to have parents sign. Failure to do so may prevent participation in events.
VEX Digital Consent Form
VEX Digital Consent Form
In addition to the School Permission Slip, every student is expected to fill out the VEX consent form. Failure to do so will prevent participation in events.
Important Info:
Team #: 20281 (followed by A, B, C, or D - Ask Birkel if you're unsure of your letter)
Program: VRC (VEX Robotics Competition)
Competition Resources
Competition Resources
3D Printing Ideas
3D Printing Ideas
You are limited to what you're allowed to 3D print for your robot for a competition, so keep in mind the rules/regulations of the game and consult the manual for any questions. But, there are still plenty of useful 3D prints for the classroom or for side projects with the robots.
VEX License Plate Holder (Competition Allowed) - Not legal for 2025-2026 year
Rec Foundation Library - Teams
Rec Foundation Library - Teams
(Broken Link)REC Foundation Library - Teams - Your one-stop location for all you need to know for VEX robotics competitions
VEX "Students Start Here" Resource
VEX "Students Start Here" Resource
"Students Start Here" - A VEX resource to help students find quick access to important resources.
Digital Engineering Notebook
Digital Engineering Notebook
Oregon Engineering Notebooks are being submitted digitally. You're welcome to keep a physical engineering notebook, but for events they must be digitized. Submissions are through RobotEvents. Please let Mr. Birkel know if you have an engineering notebook that needs to be submitted.
Digital Engineering NotebookÂ
Google Docs - Copy of Digital Engineering Notebook
Google Docs - Copy of Digital Notebook Instructions
Google Docs - Copy of Digital V5 PartsÂ
VEX STEPmaker - Software to digitally produce VEX parts with modifications.
Learning Material
Setting Up a Field
Setting Up a Field
Education Resources
Education Resources
VEX Labs
VEX Labs
VEX V5 STEM Labs - Curriculum built by VEX to help students Think and Learn
kb.vex.com
kb.vex.com
kb.vex.com - All things VEX V5 related
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Curriculum Material
Focus Area:
Youtube - Kepler Electronics
Youtube - Kepler Electronics
Older Videos of VEX builds
Coach/EP, Ref, & Judge Info
Coach/EP, Ref, & Judge Info
Referee Certification
Referee Certification
Referee Resources
Referee Resources
Judging Certification
Judging Certification
Judging Process Demystified (For students and spectators - summary)
Parents/Spectators
Parents/Spectators
Overview (2-pager) - 2024-2025 V5RC Game
Spectator Reference Card QR Code Printout
Saxon VEX History
Saxon VEX History
Points
+6 autonomous bonus
+1 each ring on stake
+2 more top ring on stake
*2 rings on tower in + corner
*-1 rings on tower in - corners
+3 elevate
+6 elevate above 1st bar
+12 elevate above 2nd bar
2023-2024 Log
2023-2024 Log
Over the last 7 years we've had opportunities for students to sign up to take robotics classes, but it was always independent study. Last year, we were supposed to have a robotics class, but there was an issue in the course catelog and the robotics course was listed as an advanced course that required prerequisites. We got all those kinks worked out, got it properly posted and were excited to have more students sign up than could actually take the class. We're now able to offer 1 class per semester. Ideally, classes would be roughly 24 students in size, but we initially had 40 students in the class - it has since decreased down to 30 students which is still more than I wanted, but it'll work.
We hosted a competition on 11/18/23 and it went great. It's the first year we hosted a judged event, and we got about 12 volunteers to come help judge teams and robots. Special thanks to school board members and Saxon staff for coming and helping, as well as all other volunteers.
Sportsmanship Award
Sportsmanship Award
Team 20281A (Aiden, Sofia, Helena, and Calder) received the Sportsmanship award at the Titan Tournament in February. This award is granted to teams who really impress the judges and referees.
This same team earned a similar award last year at the same event.
We got our banner & Shirts!
We got our banner & Shirts!
Thanks to our school's Digital Arts program, we were able to get a modular Sponsor Banner that looks awesome! The Sponsor portion can be replaced as needed to include new sponsors. If we ever have enough sponsors, we could expand this to hang sponsors below the banner. This is awesome!
Our T-Shirts showcase our new Logo, designed by students +the Digital Arts teacher (David Pluister)+ AI. The back showcases our sponsors for this year.
State Competition
State Competition
All 3 teams participated in the Gold division of State.Â
Team A received the "Judges Award" for their strong interview skills, perseverance, and ability to overcome obstacles and challenges.
Team C was ranked 7th at the conclusion of the tournament.
2022-2023 Spin Up - Our first year hosting a competition!
2022-2023 Spin Up - Our first year hosting a competition!
Frisbee Golf!
This was the first year we hosted our own competition, something we wanted to do a few years earlier but were unable to so.
This was the first year that not all teams qualified for State. We were lucky enough that our senior team was able to qualify based on their Skills ranking. The week of the state competition there was a heavy snow storm that came into Southern Oregon and many teams were unable to make it to state. The night before traveling we were informed that we couldn't go, but then thanks to our amazing Principal, Tara Romine, and the efforts of CTE and our Transportation Department, a charter bus was rented and South, North, and West Salem High Schools all traveled together to the State Competition, which proved to be an amazing adventure, though one I hope never to have to repeat (The trip to Klamath Falls during a snowstorm was crazy stressful and long - the company was fantastic).
This is also the first year we were able to get sponsors, thanks to the work of one of our students. We received $2,250 between 4 different companies and are so greatful for their support! Thanks to Oregon Cascade Plumbing and Heating, Premier Remodeling & Design, First Tech Federal Credit Union, and R.L. Reimer Co.
2021-2022 Tipping Point - Back to Normalcy (And our first year with a robotics lab!)
2021-2022 Tipping Point - Back to Normalcy (And our first year with a robotics lab!)
This was the first year that we were really able to start getting back into VEX. Mr. Birkel took up the mantle of coach again and our program began building again.
Prior to this year, we'd been doing robotics in the same space that programmed - in our computer lab. There was no room to actually build anything. A few years earlier we attempted to make this easier by buying swivel arm mounts for our monitors, but that didn't prove to help much and Mr. Birkel bumped into the arms frequently. A couple years before that, we had a small space that was in an upper section of the woodshop that was just large enough to house a robotics field and allow students to practice, but the space couldn't have more than 8 students in it at a time and it was in a different part of the school making supervision difficult. This year, thanks to construction that had been happening the last 2 years and Mr. Birkel advocating for his program, and an amazing admin team, the Business program was able to move into the newly constructed side of the building and Mr. Birkel was able to expand into his classroom. Now his robotics and computer labs are side-by-side with windows and a door on the wall connecting the 2 labs. Students finally have a place to build and test their robots and a field to practice on.
This year we joined the Salem VEX Robotics League, which makes competing much easier as our younger teams can participate in these without needing to spend the extra money on full day competitions. The competitions are shorter and they take a typical competition and spread it out over the course of the year, having a final tournament at the end of the season.
2020-2021 Change Up - The Year of Distance Learning!
2020-2021 Change Up - The Year of Distance Learning!
This year, due to the Pandemic's continued influence on education and Mr. Birkel still helping his family through a rough patch from the previous year's injury, students participated in VEX from the garage of one of the students' homes.
2019-2020 Tower Takeover - The Year of COVID!
2019-2020 Tower Takeover - The Year of COVID!
This year we participated in events until December, at which point due to a family injury occured in Mr. Birkel's family and he needed to put robotics on hold. His teams continued participating with supervision from parents until the COVID 19 pandemic struck in the early spring and the entire program was canceled.
2018-2019 Turning Point
2018-2019 Turning Point
2017-2018 In the Zone
2017-2018 In the Zone
2016-2017 Starstruck - Our Beginning Year - Student Led
2016-2017 Starstruck - Our Beginning Year - Student Led
A Saxon Senior who had been participating in West's VEX Robotics program wanted to bring VEX to South. With the agreement that he was in charge this first year and filled out the grants and everything that was needed for this first year, he recruited students and VEX first began @ South.
Birkel's Sanity Section
Birkel's Sanity Section
Timelines For Robotics
Timelines For Robotics
April (Post Season)
Sponsor Outreach Prep
Competition Packing (Put old elements in storage)
May/June
Next Year's Competition Scheduling
Next Year's Team Registrations (Club Funds)
August
EP Meeting
Purchase Field/Game Elements (after EP Discount is applied)
Create Tournament in Robot Events
September
School Announcements for VEX
Team Creation & Prep
October
Email requests for volunteers (specifically judges)
Include last year's volunteers
Include Sponsors
Include School Staff
Include District Personnel (School Board & Superintendent team)
Email Ref's to get an idea of the # of students willing to help
November
Send out instructions for Judge Certification
Double Check volunteers
Host Event
December
Breath
January
February
March
League Finals
April
State Competition
May
Worlds Competition ($1800 per registered team, + travel, lodging, and food costs - roughly $3500/student)
Prep for Competition
Prep for Competition
Know when/where to pick up the Trailer (if using)
Competition Setup for Lower Commons
Competition Setup for Lower Commons
Primary Fields setup with back of field lined up over the back blue tiles (lined up with edge, completely covering blue).
Place fields just inside the inner blue side boarders.
Audience Chairs - Front of 1st row lined up along opposite blue tiles. 3 rows of chairs.
Skills Field in back corner of lower commons (opposite entrance doors)
Practice Field in Back of cafeteria (where tables are not usually located)
32 teams can fit in South Cafeteria if every table holds 2 teams (16 tables)
If we need to go larger, we could add 16 more teams in the upper commons (double check your sanity level after a competition prior to committing to something like this)
Purchasing
Purchasing
Oregon VEX Sales Rep - Hadley Dickey @ hadley_dickey@vex.com or hadley_dickey@innovationfirst.com
Report abuse