Preparing students for the shift from VEX GO to VEX IQ starts with introducing fundamental robotics concepts early. This approach ensures they’re ready for more complex projects. How do you guide your students through transitioning between different VEX platforms?
Starting the year strong with VEX IQ Robotics means getting the basics right—charging, connecting, and monitoring the 2nd gen battery for top performance. Jason McKenna’s video in the “Introduction to VEX IQ (2nd gen) Training Course” was a game changer for me. This course offers a hands-on way to learn how to build and code with VEX IQ, and McKenna’s video made these crucial steps much clearer.
Before I discovered VEX PD, I dove in without much preparation and struggled with connecting the remote and guiding students through complex builds. Following McKenna’s advice made a big difference. VEX PD has incredible starting-off videos in their PD library and master class that really helped me build a solid foundation.
The resources on VEX PD have been a huge asset, not just for me but for giving my students a head start. Many of them are thriving, with some even making it to the front page of their middle or high school website for their enthusiasm in robotics. Plus, our alumna Andrea P.C. is now representing STP Robotics on Ransom Evergreen’s website, which is amazing.
It’s essential to build a strong foundation and stick to the basics. Many educators feel pressured to move quickly to impress their administrators, but it’s important to slow down and ensure every student has the chance to excel. Early in my career, I focused more on students who were already passionate and doing well, pushing them further. Now, I’m more focused on reaching students who might not be as engaged and finding ways to connect with them. Sometimes, showing a video from Boston Dynamics, highlighting the amazing progress in robotics—from basic robots walking to performing advanced moves—can spark their interest and enthusiasm. This approach helps make the basics more meaningful and inspires students by showing them the exciting potential of robotics.
