Drive Forward News: February 2025

Welcome to the February 2025 edition of Drive Forward News! Thanks for reading!

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Say Hello to VEX AIM – Let’s Get Creative

For many students, computer science can feel like an abstract puzzle—full of logic and syntax but disconnected from the tangible world. VEX AIM changes that by putting real robotics in their hands, making coding more accessible, interactive, and engaging than ever. Whether students are just getting started with button coding or diving into Python, AIM provides a seamless learning path that builds confidence at every stage. By integrating hands-on robotics with a structured coding progression, AIM ensures that students not only understand computer science but experience it in action.

Read more about it here.

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Teams We Think You Should Know About

Every robotics team has a story—one built on passion, perseverance, and the drive to improve. Meet 3142C Cuties, 1010W Ten Ton Robotics, and 99904B Boogie Woogie – three teams who have faced challenges, pushed their limits, and earned their place among the best as they head into the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship.

Team 3142C Cuties

3142C Cuties is a VEX V5 Robotics Competition Team from Atlanta, Georgia formed when several of the members were in eighth grade, inspired by an older brother who competed on one of the state’s most competitive teams at the time. They earned a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championship in their first year competing. 

However, once they entered high school, the bar was raised and they found the competition more challenging as they went up against students with more experience. They overcame this by growing their team from three to seven members and working diligently to round out their skillsets. 

Along the way, each member has gained knowledge of engineering and programming, as well as general design process and documentation skills. They’re proud to have earned the Think Award and the title of Robot Skills Challenge Champions in this season’s Georgia State Championship with a score of 103! They hope to make it to Finals at this year’s VEX Robotics World Championship!

Team 1010W Ten Ton Robotics

Team 1010W Ten Ton Robotics from West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has competed in both VEX IQ Robotics Competition and VEX V5 Robotics Competition programs over the years. The two-person team of childhood best friends formed when the members were in 6th grade and since then, they’ve grown both their passion for engineering and their technical skills. Now, as seniors in high school, they’re looking forward to finishing their journey strong!

The team achieved a lightweight design for their robot through using plastic and laser-cut components, minimizing metal usage. Their 12-pound robot is optimized for efficiency, speed, and maneuverability, while maintaining its structural integrity. 

Together, they’ve overcome challenges like their robot falling apart the night before they flew to Dallas for the 2023 VEX Robotics World Championship. Determined to give their all in the competition, they stayed up all night rebuilding their robot and fixing every issue. Three days later, they competed in Finals in the VEX Dome and secured second place globally! This instance and many others like it have taught them how to persevere and problem solve even under immense pressure. 

Over their six years competing, they’ve earned over 70 awards, both locally and internationally. Most recently, they earned Robot Skills 2nd Place at the 2024 Minnesota Signature Event as well as the Design Award at the 2025 Mecha Mayhem Signature Event! They hope to win their Division at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship and compete in the VEX Dome one last time before they graduate.

Team 99904B Boogie Woogie

VEX V5 Robotics Competition Team 99904B Boogie Woogie from New Palestine, Indiana have participated in robotics since elementary school. Since then, they’ve learned not only a wide variety of technical skills, but how to collaborate effectively! 

Their robot features a lightweight design in anodized blue metal as well as line and distance sensors to improve the consistency of their performance in the Autonomous Period. 

This season, they’re proud to have earned the Excellence Award at both the Speedway and LAUNCH Signature Events! Their next goal is to win their Division at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship!

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Who’s Presenting at VEX Robotics Educators Conference 2025?

The 2025 VEX Robotics Educators Conference is more than just a gathering—it’s an opportunity to connect with thought leaders, educators, and innovators who are redefining how robotics and STEM education impact the classroom. This year’s lineup features some of the most respected voices in the field, from AI researchers to curriculum developers, all sharing insights and strategies to elevate STEM learning.

Here’s a look at some of the speakers who will be leading the conversation:

Keynote Speakers

  • Dr. Pamela O. Gilchrist – As Director of K-12 Programs at Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, Dr. Gilchrist focuses on preparing students for future careers in STEM. Her work bridges the gap between K-12 education, industry, and higher education, ensuring that students have access to meaningful learning opportunities.
  • Jason McKenna – As the VP of Global Educational Strategy at VEX Robotics, Jason leads curriculum development and classroom integration across VEX platforms. With years of experience in both teaching and industry collaboration, he focuses on making STEM education engaging, accessible, and aligned with real-world applications.
  • Dr. David Touretzky – A Research Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Touretzky is a pioneer in AI education. He leads AI4K12.org, helping shape national AI curricula, and directs AI for Georgia. His latest work includes developing Calypso, an intelligent robot programming framework for VEX AIM.

Featured Speakers

  • Cristin Atkins – Digital Learning Specialist at Comal ISD, with 19 years of experience supporting educators in integrating digital learning tools to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
  • Seth Ogoe Ayim – Co-founder and CEO of Bountiful Technologies Co. Ltd and a PhD student at Brigham Young University, specializing in inquiry-based learning and robotics education. He has developed nationally recognized PreK-12 robotics programs, with teams competing at VEX World Championships since 2020.
  • Dr. Feng-Kuang Chiang – Vice Dean and Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s School of Education, focusing on ICT and STEM education. His research emphasizes interdisciplinary curriculum development and bridging theoretical and practical applications in K-12 robotics education.
  • Aimee DeFoe – Senior Education Developer at VEX Robotics with over 20 years in K-8 education. She specializes in differentiated instruction and social-emotional learning, ensuring STEM education remains engaging and accessible.
  • Tina Dietrich – Director of STEAM and Innovation at Woodland Hills School District. She has spearheaded the expansion of VEX Robotics across PK-12 and created initiatives like the Mother/Daughter STEM Club to extend STEM learning beyond the classroom.
  • Andrew Fee – Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. He leads initiatives that promote inclusion through sports and education, fostering leadership, teamwork, and community engagement.

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Career Readiness in the Age of Automation: How Robotics is Advancing CTE in K-12 Education

By Jason McKenna, Vice President of Global Education Strategy, VEX Robotics

As an educator, one of your goals is to empower students to thrive in the real world. With industries evolving and technology transforming the workforce, Career and Technical Education (CTE) in K-12 is essential for bridging the gap between classroom learning and future careers.

By incorporating hands-on, career-focused instruction, CTE equips students with the technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. Teaching both with and about robotics instruction is one powerful way to achieve this.

New and Exciting Career Paths

Traditionally, students who didn’t plan to attend college often entered manual trades like construction or manufacturing. While these industries remain essential, the rise of technology has introduced a new career path—professions that blend hands-on work with technical expertise, straddling the line between traditional trades and degree-required fields. 

This shift has created a need for the educational systems to prepare students for careers in a knowledge-based economy. It’s no longer just about preparing students for “the trades” or higher education; it’s about preparing them to compete in an increasingly automated and tech-driven world.

But with the rise of these new technologies comes a greater challenge for educators: preparing students for careers that didn’t exist when they first entered the classroom. Educators are now tasked with helping students develop the skills they’ll need in new or very different industries, while also ensuring that they’re ready to adapt as those industries evolve further.

Robotics as a Medium for Learning

Robotics can be looked at as a medium for achieving a variety of learning outcomes. Much like painting as a medium is used to explore different artistic concepts, robotics can be used to teach students a wide range of subjects, from mathematics to engineering principles. 

The flexibility of robotics makes it an invaluable tool for educators. VEX Robotics, for instance, is designed with a low barrier to entry, enabling students from all backgrounds and of all ages to get started with robotics and learn progressively. As students’ skills grow, they can engage with more advanced concepts on that same platform. 

This adaptability makes robotics an excellent vehicle for project-based and inquiry-based learning, both of which are critical for preparing students for careers that require problem-solving and critical thinking.

The Role of Robotics in CTE and Workforce Readiness

One of the most significant benefits of integrating robotics into CTE is the direct application of real-world concepts. Students engage with tools and systems commonly used in fields like manufacturing and automation, gaining practical experience that mirrors industry practices.

VEX Robotics is designed to scaffold learning in a way that builds essential skills progressively. For example, when working with a 6-axis robotic arm, students learn to navigate the X, Y, and Z axes—fundamental to robotics and engineering. This step-by-step approach helps them develop a solid foundation in coordinate systems, axis control, and basic automation.

In classrooms, students manually manipulate the robotic arm to visualize coordinate systems and understand how their inputs influence movement. Using dry-erase markers on a whiteboard further enhances comprehension, reinforcing the connection between theory and application through a visual and kinesthetic learning process. 

After this manual manipulation, students can manipulate the 6-axis robotic arm with VEXcode, a powerful programming language that can be used across various VEX platforms.  This interplay between physical (6-axis robotic arm) and conceptual (VEXcode) models helps students to transfter their knowledge from the classroom to the real world.  

Through its CTE Platform, VEX Robotics equips students with in-demand skills across automation, engineering, and technology. This VEX-specific platform incorporates concepts such as robotic arms, teach pendants, pneumatics and workcells— ideal for hands-on learning, that mimic real-world production environments where robotics and automation are integral.

The Future is Closer Than We Think

The evolving emphasis on career readiness and CTE in K-12 education is driven by rapid changes in technology and the job market. As industries increasingly rely on automation, robotics, and other advanced technologies, students must be equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in these fields. 

VEX Robotics offers a flexible and effective medium for developing these skills, from hands-on learning with robotic arms to real-world programming applications. As we just wrapped up CTE Month 2025, VEX Robotics is proud to play a crucial role in preparing students for the high-tech careers of the future, where adaptability, problem-solving, and technical expertise will always be in demand.

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As we move closer to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship, we’re reminded that innovation isn’t just about the robots—it’s about the students, educators, coaches, and teams who push themselves to new heights every season. Whether it’s through new learning tools like VEX AIM, the insights shared at the VEX Robotics Educators Conference, or the incredible stories of perseverance from teams around the world, the VEX community continues to inspire.

Stay tuned for more updates, and we’ll see you on the road to Dallas!

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