10 Steps to STEM Education with VEX IQ

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10 Steps to STEM Education with VEX IQ

VEX_IQ_Challenge

Get children involved with VEX Robotcs and watch them learn while having fun! VEX IQ is suitable for 3rd – 8th graders and will help them learn not only STEM concepts but also other valuable life skills such as teamwork, communicaton, and sportsmanship — without them even realizing it. Here are 10 easy steps to starting a team…

1. Find a mentor

If you’re an adult, take a look in the mirror! You don’t need to be an engineer, programmer, or scientist to mentor a VEX robotics team. You just need to have the kids’ best interests at heart.

2. Find a friend

A VEX IQ team must have a minimum of two students. Three to five students on a team is better, but two really interested and involved students is all you need.

3. Learn the game

Every year is a new game with new challenges. Find this year’s game video and game rules HERE.

4. Register your team

In order to compete, you must create a free Robot Events account
and register your team with RECF ($150 per year) at www.RobotEvents.com

5. Buy some parts

At a minimum, we recommend getting the following from VEX Robotics:

VEX IQ Super Kit
VEX IQ Competition Add-On Kit
VEX IQ Foundation Add-On Kit
VEX IQ 200mm Omni-Directional Wheel (2-Pack)
extra VEX IQ Robot Battery
VEX IQ Game Element Kit

Check the RVA Robotcs FAQ page for more suggestions.

6. Sign up to compete at local events

RVA Robotcs hosts multiple VEX IQ events in the greater Richmond area every season. Check out the RVA Robotics Events page for more information and links to signup.

7. Build a Robot

Have the students follow the design and engineering process and document their robot. No tools required! They can even start with easy-to-follow build instructions to get up to speed and learn the assembly system quickly.

8. Program a robot

RobotC oﬀers an easy graphical interface that is great for getng new programmers up to speed quickly and a text-based interface that allows for a natural progression and advanced programming features. Best of all, RobotC is FREE!

9. Compete

Go to as many local events as you want (several in the Richmond area) to try to qualify for the State Championship (Doswell) and maybe even the World Championship!

	Annual Cost		Expenditure Level
Item	First	Future	Low	Med.	High
Super kit	$300		•	•	•
Competition add-on Kit	$100		•	•	•
Foundation add-on kit	$80		•	•	•
Additional parts needs	$200	$40			•
Replacement sensors		$20		•	•
Add’l robot battery	$20		•	•	2
Add’l robot battery charger	$20				•
Replacement motors (6) – first year	$120				•
Replacement motors (6) – future years		$120	•	•	•
Competition field	$200			•	•
Field elements and game objects	$100	$100		•	•
RobotC license	Free!		•	•	•
Team shirts	$100				•
Team registration	$150	$150	•	•	•
Local/regional event registrations	$25-$50 each	$25-$50 each	2	3	4
Total first year cost:			$725	$1,075	$1,585
Total future year annual cost:			$345	$515	$605

	Annual Cost		Expenditure Level
Item	First	Recurring	Low	Med.	High
Classroom and competition super kit	$1,000				•
Classroom and competition mechatronics kit	$800		•	•
Partner joystick/coiled cable	$37			•	•
Add’l robot battery	$30		•	3	5
Add’l robot battery charger/cord	$19			2	4
Battery extension cable	$5		•	2	2
Power expander	$50			•	•
Advanced sensor kit	$100			•
Integrated motor encoders/ 4-wire extension cables	$50				•
2-wire extension cables	$10		•	•	2
3-wire extension cables	$15				•
Extension cable clips	$10		•	2	3
Add’l motor	$15		4	6	10
Replacement motor (future years)		$15	10	12	18
Motor controllers	$10		5	5	5
Motor turbo gear set	$13			•	2
Long aluminum structure kit	$80	$80	•	2	2
Aluminum c-channel 1x2x1x35 kit	$35	$35	•	2	2
Aluminum c-channel 1x3x1x35 kit	$38	$38		•	•
Aluminum bar	$30	$30	•	•	•
Steel bar	$8	$8		•	•
Add’l structural components	$100			•	2
Add’l structural components (future years)		$100	•	2	3
90-degree gusset set	$13	$13	•	2	2
45-degree gusset set	$5	$5		2	2
Add’l 4″ wheels	$20				•
4″ traction tires	$13			•	•
Add’l 4″ omni-wheels (2-pack)	$25		•	•
4″ mecanum wheels	$60			•	•
High strength gear kit	$20			•	•
High strength 84-tooth gears	$13			•	2
Tank tread kit	$30			•	•
Tank tread upgrade kit	$25			•	•
High strength sprocket and chain kit	$40			•	•
Additional high strength chain	$25			•	•
Add’l drive shaft	$9			•	2
Replacement drive shaft (future years)		$9	•	2	2
Shaft collars	$8			•	2
Bearing flats	$10			•	2
Pillow blocks	$8			•	•
Shaft bar locks	$7			•	•
Nylon spacers (4 sizes)	$5		•	2	3
Plastic spacers (2 sizes)	$6			•	2
Steel washers	$5			•	•
Teflon washers	$5		•	2	2
Intake roller kit	$13			•	2
Standoffs (0.5″)	$3			•	2
Standoffs (1″)	$4			•	2
Standoffs (2″)	$8			•	2
Standoffs (4″)	$8			•	3
Standoffs (6″)	$10			•	3
Winch and pulley kit	$15			•	•
Polycarbonate	$10		•	•	•
Screws 8-32 (0.375″)	$7.50		•	2	2
Screws 8-32 (0.500″)	$7.50			•	•
Screws 8-32 (0.625″)	$10		•	•	•
Screws 8-32 (0.750″)	$10			•	•
Screws 8-32 (0.875″)	$10		•	•	•
Screws 8-32 (1.000″)	$10		•	•	•
Screws 8-32 (1.250″)	$7.50			•	•
Screws 8-32 (1.500″)	$7.50		•	•	•
Screws 8-32 (2.000″)	$7.50		•	•	•
Nyloc nuts 8-32	$4		2	2	3
Rubber links	$7.50			•	2
Cinch straps	$10				•
Battery clips	$5		•	•	•
Pneumatics kit 2	$230				2
Pneumatics tubing	$20				•
Competition field perimeter and tiles	$1,030				•
Field elements and game objects	$500	$500			•
Game element kit	$80	$80		•
Performance tool kit	$40		•	•	•
Safety glasses	$30		•	•	•
RobotC license	Free!		•	•	•
Team shirts	$100				•
Team registration	$150	$150	•	•	•
Local/regional event registrations	$25-$75 each	$25-$75 each	2	3	4
Total first year cost:			$1,566	$2,676	$5,343
Total future year annual cost:			$572	$975	$1,585