Drive Forward News: October 2024

Welcome to Drive Forward News from VEX Robotics.

Jump to a section to read:

The 2025 VEX Educator’s Conference: Learn, Connect, and Inspire

If you’re an educator eager to bring STEM and robotics into your classroom, you’ll want to mark your calendar for this. The 2025 VEX Robotics Educators Conference is set for May 7-9 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, and it’s shaping up to be the ultimate professional development experience for educators. Picture a few days packed with hands-on learning, inspiring presentations, and the chance to mingle with fellow educators who get the excitement (and challenges) of teaching STEM in today’s classrooms. Let’s dig into what makes this conference a must-attend event!

Why You Should Attend: The Conference Highlights
  • Hands-On STEM Workshops: Forget the sit-and-listen lecture vibe – you’re diving into the action with VEX Robotics. These workshops are all about giving you the skills and confidence to bring robotics and coding to life with your students. You’ll work directly with VEX Robotics tools and technologies, meaning you’ll head home with practical, classroom-ready strategies and hands-on robotics experiences that can make even the trickiest STEM concepts accessible to students. Expect lots of “Aha!” moments!
  • Inspiring Keynotes & Presentations: Ever wonder how other educators keep STEM engaging and relevant for today’s students? The keynote speakers and presenters at the VEX Educators Conference are leaders shaping the future of STEM education. They’ll share everything from big-picture ideas on STEM’s role in education to small, actionable tweaks you can make to your teaching. It’s like a crash course in innovation, all in one spot.
  • Classroom-Ready Strategies: You will hear from the VEX Experts and walk away with practical teaching strategies you can implement when you’re back in your classroom. These sessions are designed with the actual classroom in mind – from time-saving hacks to techniques for tackling common STEM learning challenges. It’s all about tools you can actually use to make an impact.
  • Networking that Matters: Sometimes, the best takeaways from a conference come from the people you meet. VEX Robotics attracts educators from around the world, each with their own unique approach to STEM. Whether you’re swapping classroom stories, brainstorming curriculum ideas, or just sharing what works (and what doesn’t), these connections are a goldmine. It’s a chance to build a supportive network of fellow teachers who’ll inspire and challenge you long after you leave Dallas.
  • One-on-One Time with VEX Experts: Ever wish you could pick the brains of the VEX Robotics Education team? Here’s your chance. Book a One-on-One meeting with VEX Robotics staff to talk through challenges you’re facing, brainstorm new ways to use their tools, or just get some expert advice on integrating robotics into your curriculum. It’s like having your own personal STEM mentor – and trust me, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and renewed confidence.
  • VIP Access to the VEX Robotics World Championship: As a cherry on top, conference attendees will get exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the VEX Robotics World Championship. Imagine watching talented young minds compete, showcasing the exact skills you’re teaching in action. It’s not only exciting but also incredibly inspiring to see the “why” of your work brought to life on a global stage.
  • Want to Present? Step Up to Get Started: Do you have valuable classroom experiences or insights to share? VEX Robotics invites educators to become speakers, panelists, or poster session presenters. This is your chance to share your story, strategies, and the unique approaches that make your classroom tick. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get even more involved in this vibrant community. Apply here. (Application link goes live Nov. 1st)
  • Special Offer: VEX Robotics PD+ All-Access: If you’re already thinking, “This sounds amazing,” here’s one more reason to sign up. By joining VEX Robotics PD+ All-Access, you’ll get free registration to the conference along with priority entry to workshops and 1-on-1 meetings. It’s the VIP pass to a weekend of all things STEM – and one of the best ways to maximize your experience.
Bottom Line

Whether you’re new to STEM or a seasoned pro, the VEX Robotics Educators Conference has something for everyone. It’s a place to recharge, get inspired, and bring back fresh ideas that will keep your students engaged and excited. So pack your bags, grab your gear, and get ready for a conference that’s equal parts learning and community. Dallas is calling—and so is the future of STEM education!

Share this on social media:

The 2024 VEX Australia National Championships are coming!

We are coming up to the premier robotics competition in Australia – the 2024 VEX Australia National Championships!

The 2024 VEX Australia National Championships will take place on December 4-6, at the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in New South Wales, with over 200 teams taking the fields to battle it out, and earn a coveted spot to represent Australia at the VEX Robotics World Championship.

 This two-day event serves as the culmination of the season’s 80 registered regional competition events, where qualifying teams from across the country come together to compete in various challenges across the IQ, V5RC and VEX U categories.

The 2024 National Championships represents the biggest Australian national competition to date, with over 1,800 students, teachers, and mentors from schools and clubs across Australia gathering to put their skills to the test and earn their place in Dallas next year.

This year’s event will play host to several high-level championship teams with tons of World’s experience and awards to their names. Competition levels are expected to be high, with intense matches deciding who will be awarded the top prizes.

In addition, previous VEX World Championship head refs and score keepers will be assisting in running the event.

The National Championship represents the final step for Australian teams before the VEX World Championship in 2025, where the best teams across the globe will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage. For the teams participating, 6 regional state championships, and months of preparation has gone into designing, building, and programming their robots to tackle the unique challenges presented by Rapid Relay and High Stakes.

Awards will be presented for Volunteers of the year, as well as the Energy award, presented to the team or group who does the best job of enriching the event with the most excitement, fun and enthusiasm possible.

For teams, mentors, and educators, this event is the result of a season of hard work and innovation. As always, the Australian National Championships is not just about winning, but about learning, building connections, and developing critical skills that will serve participants well beyond the robotics field.

The VEX Robotics Australia team look forward to hosting the biggest and best competition yet, and cannot wait to see what the future holds in store.

Share this on social media:

(Re)Introduction to the VEX CTE Workcell on VEX PD+

Have you been curious about the VEX CTE Workcell but just haven’t had the time to dive in? Don’t worry—Jason McKenna, VP of Global Educational Strategy at VEX Robotics, is here to help. In a pre-recorded VEX PD+ Live Session, Jason walks you through everything you need to know about the Workcell, available at your convenience. Discover how to bring automation into your classroom, explore the kit’s components, and see how the STEM Labs can help students make meaningful connections to real-world applications. If you know someone else who might benefit, use the social links below the video to share the experience and learn together!

The VEX CTE Workcell kit is designed specifically for Career and Technical Education, serving as a comprehensive construction system for building robotic arms, conveyors, and sensors—all powered by our VEXcode coding software. It offers an engaging introduction to manufacturing concepts like construction, palletizing, and coordinate planes, equipping students with the foundational skills they need to be part of the future manufacturing workforce.

The STEM Labs offer an in-depth learning resources to help you get the most out of your Workcell kit:

Course 1 – Introduction to the 6-Axis Arm
  • Unit 1: Introduction to Robotic Arms
  • Unit 2: Using the Teach Pendant
  • Unit 3: Coding Movements
  • Unit 4: Controlling the Path
  • Unit 5: Coding Shapes
  • Unit 6: Absolute vs Relative Movements
  • Unit 7: Transporting and Palletizing Objects
  • Unit 8: Stacking Objects
  • Capstone: Engineering Design Process
Course 2 – Workcell Automation
  • Unit 1: Introduction to Workcells
  • Unit 2: Workcell Safety
  • Unit 3: Sorting by Color
  • Unit 4: Material Transportation
  • Unit 5: Understanding Pneumatics
  • Unit 6: Automated Sorting Challenge
  • Unit 7: Pallet Loading Challenge
  • Unit 8: Optical Sorting Challenge
  • Capstone: Logistics Sorting Challenge
  • Extension: Double Dock Challenge

These courses give students hands-on experience with automation, allowing them to tackle real-world challenges in a controlled, educational environment. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your understanding of manufacturing and automation, the VEX CTE Workcell kit provides the tools and learning resources to bring these concepts to life. Start your journey today and see how the Workcell can transform your classroom!

Share this on social media:

Celebrating  Women’s Day in Vietnam through Innovation and STEM Leadership with VEX Robotics

In celebration of Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20th, 2024), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a visit to the Vietnam Women’s Academy (VWA) and members of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) to recognize the contributions of women to the nation’s progress in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Reflecting on the significance of this day, the Prime Minister shared his hopes for the nation’s women, urging them to continue their embodiment of the spirit of this era in Vietnam’s history: dynamism, innovation, and compassion.

Students hard at work programming their VEX IQ Robot

During his visit, the Prime Minister praised the Vietnam Women’s Academy for their early implementation of information technology in training staff and providing higher education. From providing advanced educational programs to equipping students with essential skills for the digital age, VWA exemplifies the government’s vision for modern education.

One of the most exciting showcases during the visit was the partnership between Kidscode, a VEX Robotics partner in Vietnam, and the Vietnam Women’s Academy. Together, they work to integrate VEX Robotics solutions into K-12 education, offering students a hands-on approach to learning STEM. By supporting future leaders through robotics and programming, the initiative reinforces VWA’s commitment to empowering students with skills that will shape the nation’s future.

A particularly exciting highlight of the visit was an interactive session where Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son personally engaged with VEX IQ robots. Their hands-on experience with the robots reflected the Vietnamese government’s support for STEM education and the value of experiential learning.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son viewing a demonstration of VEX IQ Robotics Competition Rapid Relay

The Prime Minister’s visit to the Vietnam Women’s Academy demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and forward-looking education system. With the collaboration between our partners at Kidscode and the Vietnam Women’s Academy, as well as the efforts of the Vietnam Women’s Union, students—especially young women—are gaining essential exposure to technologies that will be critical for their future careers.

Watch news coverage of this event (in Vietnamese, with the option for auto-translated English subtitles) from VTV, the official information agency under direct administration of the Government of Vietnam, here.

Get started with VEX IQ here.

Read the English news article here.

Learn more about the Vietnam Women’s Academy here.

Share this on social media:

Exploring AI and Creativity at Bett UK 2025 with Jason McKenna, VEX Robotics VP of Global Educational Strategy

Join VEX Robotics at Bett UK 2025 for two dynamic sessions led by our VP of Global Educational Strategy, Jason McKenna. These sessions are designed to empower educators with practical ways to introduce artificial intelligence and foster creativity through hands-on robotics in the classroom.

In the first session, Introducing AI to the Classroom with VEX 123 (Wednesday, January 22nd – 10:15am to 11am GMT), participants will explore how VEX 123 brings AI concepts to life through accessible, hands-on activities. Educators will learn how to use coding tools—like Touch, Coder cards, and VEXcode 123—to program the VEX 123 Robot, helping students understand the fundamentals of computational thinking and artificial intelligence. Whether you are a coding novice or an experienced educator, you’ll gain actionable strategies to incorporate AI into your lessons, inspiring students with real-world applications that make learning exciting and relevant.

The second session, Coding and Creativity with VEX GO (Thursday, January 23rd -1:15pm to 2pm GMT), invites participants to experience the engineering design process firsthand through a fun, engaging activity. Educators will act as float designers and programmers, crafting a moving float for the VEX GO Parade led by Colonel Jo. This creative exercise will showcase how VEX GO supports students in learning to solve problems iteratively, blending original ideas with practical constraints. Attendees will see how this approach encourages teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking—all essential skills for today’s learners.

Both sessions are interactive, practical, and designed to inspire educators and prepare them to bring new ideas into their classrooms. By combining coding, robotics, and creativity, VEX Robotics aims to make STEM education more accessible, engaging, and impactful for students of all ages. Don’t miss these opportunities to enhance your teaching toolkit at Bett UK 2025.

The location at Bett London is the Tech Users Labs, ExCeL London.

Share this on social media:

Digitally Create Custom VEX Parts with VEX STEPmaker—Streamline Your Robot Assembly!

VEX STEPmaker is here to simplify and supercharge your robot assembly process! Exclusively available to VEX Robotics teams, STEPmaker lets you create customized parts by just inputting parameters, ensuring precise and efficient builds every time. Seamlessly integrate with FreeCAD and enjoy new features like the 15×30 base plate cut and form function. Start using VEX STEPmaker today and elevate your team’s next robot build to new heights. Download now!

The VEX STEPmaker is crafted exclusively for VEX Robotics teams, making it the go-to tool for creating customized VEX Robotics parts effortlessly. By entering specific parameters, you can generate precision-engineered parts that fit seamlessly into your robot design. With STEPmaker, you save time, reduce errors, and achieve greater accuracy—all while inspiring creativity in your team.

VEX STEPmaker transforms the digital assembly process for robotics teams, giving educators, coaches, and students the tools to create and customize VEX parts efficiently and precisely, empowering every step of their robotics journey.

Key Features & Benefits:

  • Customizable Part Creation: Input parameters to create VEX parts tailored to your design needs. 
  • Gain full control over your robot design, enabling faster iterations and greater accuracy.
  • Seamless FreeCAD Integration: STEPmaker works in tandem with FreeCAD, making it easy to integrate into existing workflows.
  • Simplify your team’s digital design process and ensure compatibility with industry-standard CAD software.
  • New 15×30 Base Plate Cut and Form Feature: Create complex components with ease thanks to the latest cut and form function.
  • Expand the possibilities for robot customization with more versatile part options.
  • Windows 10/11 Compatibility: Available now for Windows, with Mac compatibility coming in November!
  • Get started today without waiting, with future updates promising even greater accessibility.
  • Simplified Chinese Version Available: Access STEPmaker in Simplified Chinese.

Ready to Take Your Team’s Robotics Build to the Next Level?

Get started with VEX STEPmaker today and experience the difference it makes. Download now and take your first step toward a more efficient, more creative, and more successful build!

Share this on social media:

That’s it for this month—thanks for reading! Stay updated with all things VEX Robotics on social media. See you next month!

Here’s what we covered in the last edition of Drive Forward News:

Tags: