Competition is the whetstone of talent - Traditional proverb. Presented by Rick Tyler NW Regional Manager, RECF

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2 Competition is the whetstone of talent - Traditional proverb Presented by Rick Tyler NW Regional Manager, RECF

3 RECF and VEX Robotics The Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for profit that runs the VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) VEX Robotics is a division of Innovation First, Inc. They make robot parts and are a primary sponsor of the RECF. Questions about the competition go to RECF, and questions about robot parts go to VEX.

4 VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) How Does It Work? Facts and Figures For Students For Educators For Parents VRC Values VRC Value

5 How does it work (design is iterative) The game designers create a challenge, then students: Iterate! Define the problem Brainstorm solutions Research strategies ID decision criteria Evaluate possibilities Select approach Build Test Compete Evaluate Go back to brainstorm Looks a lot like a classic (real-world) engineering design process!

6 How Does It Work? Teams have 1-10 students, most are 4-7 The average VRC school or club has about 2 teams, some have 8 or more Most teams are from schools, but some are Scouts, 4H, other clubs, etc. Get one or more adults with one or more students and you have a team!

7 How does a tournament work? A Simple Recipe 16+ teams 6+ volunteers 1 school gym 6-10 hours of engineering fun It s OK, not it s rocket kind of science rocket science

8 Competition Format In VRC teams form alliances which compete against each other Teams win or lose in partnership with other teams Head-to-head competition Work with other teams Awards for on-field success Chances to go to Worlds Awards for engineering excellence, construction, etc. >> All valuable life skills!

9 The Same Game Only Different! A new game is introduced each year Same robot parts, same field structure, new game parts: sustainable AND new!

10 GATEWAY Competition (Animation)

11 Who Runs VRC Events? Schools, colleges, other educational programs, clubs, school districts The rules and procedure are set by RECF, but local volunteers run the program (it s like Little League ) A few details Event partners don t pay a fee to RECF Local charges are up to you Teams just have to register with Robot Events ($75 first team, $25 each add l) and then sign up for a local event RECF provides robotevents.com where local event partners can advertise and manage their events How can you run your own VRC tournament? Easy send an to events@robotevents.com or call me!

12 VEX Competitions: Easy, low cost Great for small venues a school gym or cafeteria is fine Easy to run with just a few volunteers not a big production Standard Game Kit: - Current year game elements - Trophies - Banners - Game elements - Event Management Software - Documentation on process Event Partner provides the venue and a few enthusiastic volunteers!

13 Unlimited Participation Compete in as many year-round events as you want At least a dozen events scheduled this year in Pacific Northwest Students can compete in VEX Competitions as: Robot designers Robot builders Robot programmers or ALL! Three competitions in one: Head-to-head tournament (autonomous and teleoperated) Programming Skills (autonomous) Robot Skills (teleoperated) Start with one and grow into the others, as needed

14 VEX Robotics Competition COLLEGE CHALLENGE

15 VEX Robotics Competition Middle School Program 25% teams are now MS Play in HS/MS events A growing number of middle school tournaments each year Compete at Middle School divisions at the US National Championship and the VRC World Championship!

16 Facts and Figures countries 220 events 3,800 teams Fastest growing STEM competition program. Ever.

17 VEX Robotics Competition Asian Robotics Championship Disney All-Star Challenge Pan Pacific Championship US National NATIONAL Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, USA REGIONAL LOCAL

18 RECF Online Challenges Affordable and accessible No entry fee Any student anywhere in the world can enter Community viewing and voting, but professionals act as final judges Wide variety: CAD Challenge Animation Video Production Product Design Website Product prizes for winners See at robotevents.com

19 Promote STEM Events Multiple Programs Global Map Search Online Registration Online Challenges Community Forums One stop shopping for robotics programs robotevents.com

20 What s the attraction for Students? Creativity Computers STUDENTS LIKE FUN Hands-on Building Competition STUDENTS LEARN Problem Solving Design Teamwork Leadership

21 Competition Sharpens Skills A sense of urgency and excitement Learning is easy when something is at stake Pride in achievement Teamwork and leadership

22 Most Of All, It s Fun

23 What s the attraction for Educators? EDUCATORS LIKE SUBSTANCE Curriculum Standards-based Accredited EDUCATORS REALIZE Engagement Professional Development Fun Students Learn (enthusiastically) Source: VEX Robotics Focus Groups, 2005

24 VEX Robotics Curriculum Curriculum Features Choose What Fits Best Several curriculum partners PLTW (in engineering modules) CAD and mechanical-centric from Autodesk Programming-centric from Intelitek and Carnegie Mellon Many teachers create their own lessons from VEX documentation The curriculum options share some characteristics Range from PLTW (very complete) to VEX s own classroom curriculum (very robot focused) Developed by educators as a core curriculum solution for secondary schools Map to national academic standards STEM focused

25 Sustainability, Recurring Costs Minor recurring costs Parts replacement: ~$100 per yr per team Competition team registration fees: $75/$25 per year Event registration: Depends on Venue: $0 - $100 per team/per event Parts Add-ons: $0 to $1,000+ it s up to you No other pre-engineered design system compares

26 What results do parents see? The top ten list for students in VRC 10. We never see her anymore she s building robots 9. He spends more time doing CAD than playing WOW 8. He wants to go to Disneyland to see the robots in Star Tours 7. He knows how to calculate the static friction of green plastic on foam tiles 6. We caught her disassembling our Roomba

27 What results do parents see? The top ten list for students in VRC (cont) 5. We find little nuts and washers in her pockets. 4. She makes checklists for EVERYTHING. 3. Her favorite t-shirt says, My other robot is on Mars. 2. He can calculate gear ratios, but he still can t his dirty clothes in the hamper. 1. Lunch is no longer his favorite subject!

28 What s the attraction for Parents? ROBOTICS Is the ONLY Competition Sport Your Child Will Ever be Involved in Where EVERY Team Member Can Go Pro

29 For Corporations and Foundations The VEX Robotics Competition Delivers A soon-to-be published survey by researchers from Georgia Tech report students: Are more likely to attend college Feel more competent at STEM subjects Are more likely to study STEM subjects in college Report that they have developed workgroup skills Are enthusiastic about robots and STEM The full results are due to be published next month

30 Partners in STEM RECF Online Challenges

31 VRC Values Our mission is to inspire young people to choose future education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A young person who participates will: Get excited about STEM as a career and educational choice Learn how to work in a team towards a goal Build leadership skills Develop self-confidence

32 VRC Values Every single employee at RECF started as either a teacher or a volunteer on a youth robotics team (except our Controller) Nearly every manager at VEX Robotics, and most of the employees, currently volunteer on FIRST or BEST robotics teams They aren t allowed to volunteer on VRC teams!

33 VRC Value VEX Robotics Design System

34 VEX Corporate Vision Offer a comprehensive learning platform from K to C 2 (College & Career) C++ Linux Elementary Middle School High School Post Secondary Workforce

35 Robust Parts Kit As easy as Build the robot 2. Compete 3. Take it apart Reusable structure Rechargeable batteries Tough parts

36 Simple Construction No lathes, drill presses, mills, 5-axis CNC machines Here are all the tools you need to build competition VEX robots:

37 Table-Top Construction VRC robots must fit inside an 18 cube Typical weight 15 pounds Most teams have a robot and a tool box A whole VRC team, with mentor, robot and tools, will usually fit in a minivan VRC Team 575

38 $ Classroom lab kit

39 VEX Robotics Classroom Lab Kit Affordable & Challenging Ideal for the Robotics engineering lab Includes the most popular accessory items VEXnet Communication System Ability to easily increase challenge level Advanced Sensors Advanced Drive Systems Advanced Programming Pneumatics & More

40 Classroom Competition Kit $999 Excellent Competition Starter kit

41 Classroom Competition Kit $4,999 Five Sets Get a Classroom Competition Field for FREE

42 Thank You Questions or Assistance Rick Tyler Robotics Education & Competition Foundation