Welcome to another newsletter! Let’s get into this edition’s topics!
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The 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship
2024-2025 VEX Robotics Game Name Reveal
The 2024 VEX Robotics Educators Conference
Article recommendations from Jason McKenna
Get Ready for the VEX Robotics World Championship 2024 in Dallas! The largest robotics competition in the world is back!

It’s that exciting time again—the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship is here, happening April 25 to May 3 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, TX. This event isn’t just any competition; it’s a celebration of talent, innovation, and the spirit of teamwork.
Do you want to keep up with all the action each day? Visit VEX TV to see the opening ceremonies, practice matches, qualification matches (across science, technology, engineering, arts, and math divisions), and finals & closing ceremonies (and game unveils) as they happen. A detailed agenda can be found here.
Want to attend in person as a spectator? Please Pre-Register!
The VEX Robotics World Championship is a family-friendly event that is open to the public. If you plan on joining us for any of the days, we encourage you to go to RobotEvents.com to pre-register to attend as a spectator.
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2024-2025 VEX Robotics Game Name Reveal

Have you seen the video revealing next season’s game names? Many of you already have and are in full speculation mode about what these games will entail. Go check out the video and tell us what you think! Also, pre-orders for Game Elements are now for sale.
Stay up-to-date anytime for VEX Robotics World Championship, VEX Educators Conference news, and more across all of our social media accounts:
Don’t miss out on this incredible event, which is sure to inspire and entertain. It’s more than a competition; it’s a showcase of the future of technology and teamwork. See you in Dallas!
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The 2024 VEX Robotics Educators Conference
While the students and their coaches are here in Dallas, VEX Robotics also hosts educators who come to take part in the VEX Robotics Educators Conference, April 29 – May 1.
This conference provides a platform for educators to exchange insights, learn from experts, and explore new methods for incorporating robotics, STEM, and CS into their teaching. Featuring a rich program of presentations, hands-on workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities, participants will leave with enhanced abilities to introduce robotics into their classrooms or to refine their current educational approaches.
Registration is now closed, but you can see the full schedule and list of speakers.
Recordings of all the presentations will be available in the VEX PD+ Video Library following the conclusion of the conference.
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Article recommendations from Jason McKenna
Jason McKenna, our VP of Global Education Strategy, Author, and Speaker, has curated a list of intriguing articles for this month that he believes will spark your interest:
- How curiosity helped one 11-year-old girl discover a fossil of the largest known ocean reptile. This article captivated Jason because it exemplifies the curiosity that drives STEM learning. Curiosity not only promotes engagement and exploration in STEM fields but also develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for innovation. It underscores the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability, which are necessary for keeping pace with rapid advancements in these disciplines.
- Unleashing Imagination in STEM Education: Lessons from the Expansive Creativity of Neil Gaiman. This piece, which Jason wrote, explores how inspiration from outside the traditional world of education, such as the creative genius of British author Neil Gaiman, can inspire new teaching methods in STEM education. Jason finds this approach refreshing and a potential game-changer for enhancing classroom dynamics.
- Laura Smith, engineering teacher with Shelby County Public Schools, earned Kentucky’s VEX Robotics Coach of the Year honor this year. From Jason: “It’s always good to learn how other educators approach teaching robotics. This acknowledgment highlights the impactful work being done by educators in the field. It serves as a great learning resource for other teachers.”
- Teaching AI to K-12 Learners: Lessons, Issues, and Guidance by Shuchi Grover discusses the importance of integrating AI education in K-12 curricula. It outlines the current state of AI education for young learners, emphasizing the need for well-designed curricula that address ethical considerations and broader participation across diverse groups. It also highlights the benefits and challenges of introducing AI concepts early, aiming to make these technologies accessible and understandable to students from various educational backgrounds.
For more insights and updates, you can find Jason on X (Twitter) @MckennaJ72 when he’s not helping to create new curriculums for VEX Robotics, or hosting this year’s VEX Robotics Educators Conference.
His book, What STEM Can Do for Your Classroom: Improving Student Problem Solving, Collaboration, and Engagement, Grades K–6, is available now.
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Thanks for tuning into this month’s edition of the Drive Forward Newsletter. Until we meet again, continue to build, dream, and relentlessly push the limits of what’s possible. Keep innovating and see you in the next issue!
Here’s what we covered in last month’s Drive Forward News:
Drive Forward: Celebrating Our Robotics Community
Who Leads the Charge in School Robotics Innovation? Educators.
Celebrating a Milestone: Congratulations to Dr. Yuhan (Jimmy) Lin!