At the VEX Robotics Educators Conference, I had countless memorable conversations, but one in particular has stuck with me. We were discussing how VEXcode prepares students for workplace readiness, and the conversation quickly became a deep dive into a common misconception: that in order to be successful in computer science (CS), students must be fluent in a text-based language like Python or C++.
That simply isn’t true!
In fact, many real-world industries use proprietary, visual, or block-based interfaces to run manufacturing systems, automation, and robotics. What matters isn’t whether students can write 100 lines of code from scratch, it’s that they understand the underlying concepts: sequencing, logic, inputs and outputs, conditionals, iteration, and how to debug problems. These are the skills that transfer to the workplace.
Block-based coding platforms like VEXcode offer an accessible entry point into CS without compromising the depth or relevance of what’s being taught. For many students, this opens the door to STEM career paths that may have previously felt out of reach. It’s not about lowering the bar, it’s about changing the perception of where the bar even is!
Read more insights from the Educators Conference and connect with the VEX team here!
