VINCI STEAM EDUCATIONS is dedicated to providing young people with opportunities to explore the world of technology, and the VEX Robotics Competition is one of the key projects we actively participate in and support. Through involvement in the VEX competition, students can gain in-depth knowledge of robotics, develop practical skills, and foster innovative thinking.
01 Competition Overview
The VEX Robotics Competition is a global robotics competition organized by the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation in the United States. The competition aims to inspire young people’s interest and enthusiasm in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through the design, construction, and programming of robots.
02 Key Features of the Competition
The VEX Robotics Competition offers multiple levels of events to meet the needs of students of different ages and skill levels:
VEX 123: A programming introduction platform for students from kindergarten to second grade. It uses simple physical programming modules to foster children's initial understanding of programming and logical thinking.
VEX GO: An entry-level robotics kit for students in grades two to four. It encourages children's interest in mechanical structures and programming through assembly and simple coding.
VEX IQ Challenge: Designed for elementary and middle school students (grades three to seven), it nurtures students' understanding of mechanical principles and programming. Students use plastic components to build robots and learn the basics of robot control and coding.
VEX V5 Challenge: Aimed at middle and high school students (grades seven to twelve), this level emphasizes complex mechanical structures and advanced programming skills. Using metal components and more powerful motors, students can design robots with more sophisticated functionalities.
VEX U: For university students, this level challenges participants to design and innovate more advanced robots. Teams must apply higher-level engineering knowledge to create high-performance robots.
Focus on Teamwork and Innovation
The VEX competition encourages students to participate in teams. From robot design and construction to programming and testing, the entire process requires close cooperation among team members, fostering communication skills and team spirit.
Combination of Theory and Practice
Through hands-on robot design and construction, students apply theoretical knowledge in practice, deepening their understanding of STEM subjects and unleashing their innovative potential.
03 Significance of the Competition
1. High International Recognition
The VEX Robotics Competition is held in over 60 countries worldwide, attracting millions of students each year. It enjoys broad international influence and a high degree of recognition.
2. Boost to Top School Applications
Achieving outstanding results in internationally renowned competitions like VEX can significantly enhance students' competitiveness when applying to prestigious STEM programs, showcasing their talents in engineering and technology.
3. Acquisition of Professional Skills
Throughout the competition, students gain a variety of skills in mechanical design, electronic circuits, and programming control, laying a solid foundation for future academic and career development.
04 Competition Rules
1. Participants
VEX 123: Students from kindergarten to second grade
VEX GO: Students from second to fourth grade
VEX IQ Challenge: Students from third to seventh grade
VEX V5 Challenge: Students from seventh to twelfth grade
VEX U: University students (undergraduate and above)
2. Competition Format
Robot Design and Construction: Design and build robots that comply with the rules based on the annual competition theme.
Programming and Testing: Write programs for the robot to operate in both autonomous and manual modes.
Onsite Competition: Teams compete against each other in head-to-head matches to complete assigned tasks and earn points.
3. Competition Process
Regional Competitions: Qualifying competitions held in various locations, where outstanding teams advance to the national competition.
National Competition: A nationwide contest that selects top teams to advance to the world championship.
World Championship: Compete with the best teams from around the world for the world champion title.
05 Preparation Tips
1. Strengthen Foundational Knowledge
VEX 123/GO: Cultivate children's logical thinking and hands-on skills by assembling and following simple instructions to understand basic programming concepts.
VEX IQ: Learn mechanical structures, sensors, and basic programming to become familiar with basic robot control.
VEX V5: Dive deeper into mechanical design, electronic circuits, and advanced programming (such as C++ and Python) to improve robot performance and intelligence.
2. Emphasize Teamwork
Clearly define team roles, communicate regularly, and ensure smooth progress of the project. Team collaboration is crucial in the competition.
3. Practice and Test Frequently
Continuously design, build, and test the robot to optimize its performance and stability.
4. Familiarize with Competition Rules
Study the competition manual thoroughly to understand the scoring criteria and competition process, avoiding unnecessary mistakes.
06 VINCI Supports Your VEX Journey
VINCI has extensive experience in guiding VEX competitions and a professional team of mentors, offering students:
1. Personalized Training Plans
Robotics competitions are not just about the operational steps; we focus more on nurturing children's robotic thinking and innovation skills. Each student receives a personalized learning and growth plan set by VINCI, covering everything from robot design to project execution. We place special emphasis on teamwork, helping students develop skills in task delegation, communication, leadership, problem-solving, creative thinking, and project management. Coaches provide professional guidance from different subject areas, ensuring each student follows the optimal growth path.
2. Advanced Equipment and Resources
VINCI offers an open innovation lab space equipped with a full set of VEX robotics kits and university lab-grade operating platforms. With guidance from robotics PhDs and collaboration with the engineering team from Boston Dynamics, students receive comprehensive hardware and software support, allowing them to experience cutting-edge robotics technology firsthand.
3. Professional Competition Guidance
VINCI is the first youth robotics education institution in Boston with years of competition and training experience. Recognized and trusted by the VEX competition organizers, VINCI has the capacity to host regional VEX events. Our coaching team, made up of robotics experts, educators, and software/hardware professionals, provides comprehensive support for students' competition preparation, ensuring they grow and improve at every stage. Our students have achieved over 500 awards in VEX competitions, making VINCI STEAM EDUCATIONS a leader in the VEX competition field.
About Us
VINCI STEAM Education is the only K-12 robotics and AI education institution in New England. We fully support activities in STEM, tech arts, and more, aiming to create an internationalized tech education community for students. VINCI helps students participate in various levels of tech innovation competitions from elementary school to high school, offering seamless support across different stages to continuously enhance students' professional advantages in their areas of interest. We are known for fostering projects with high impact in professional communities and achieving excellent results in competitions.
VINCI STEAM Education has a team of professional scientists, engineers, education experts, and industry elites. Our coaching team is experienced in both teaching and practical applications, passionate about education, and skilled at unleashing students’ potential and creativity. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of tech innovators through in-depth technical and practical guidance.
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