It’s just like a sports team!  Team members design, build, and program a robot to compete against other schools’ robots.  Each team readies their robot to perform in cooperative, competitive, and autonomous challenges.  During the six-month season, students will meet after school to work with mentors learning how to design, build, test, and develop their radio-controlled robot to accomplish tasks related to the VEX IQ annual challenge game.  The new game is announced each year in May, and the build season typically begins in September.  Our team competes in 2 - 3 events statewide, including a home event we host every year.  State Finals are held for qualifying teams at the end of February at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The World Championship is held in Los Angeles, California in April.

4th and 5th grade students are selected for the team based on multiple factors.  Students must maintain a C average and demonstrate appropriate school conduct and good moral character.  Applicants must have attended Robotics Club meetings as a 3rd or 4th grader, and must submit an application, including parent permission and transportation commitment, and short essay.  Team members will be selected based on essay answers, and demonstrated teamwork skills, leadership, initiative, creativity, and mechanical aptitude.  Once students are selected for the team, they are assigned to one of six robots.

The team meets before school from 8:00-8:45 on Mondays to design, build, and test their robot.  An optional summer build camp may also take place to begin the season.  A notice will be sent home stating when Team meetings will begin once the team has been selected. 

Depending on students’ and robots’ needs, meetings may be extended, or additional meetings may be scheduled prior to competitions.  A notice will be sent home as these changes are made.

What happens if our team qualifies at a state qualifying tournament?

Robots that qualify are invited to a State Finalist Tournament held at the end of February.  They go to the Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium to compete on the same field as the Colts!  The top finalist teams from the State Championship go on to attend the World Tournament to compete against teams from countries around the world!!