The VEX Robotics Competition brings STEM skills to life by tasking teams of students with designing, building and coding a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge.
Using a VEX V5 robotics kit, teams analyse the season's game and design a robot to meet its challenges. The competition includes both fully autonomous and driver-controlled matches, allowing participants to showcase their engineering and programming skills.
Classroom STEM concepts are put to the test as team members learn skills which can help them in the classroom and beyond - such as teamwork, leadership, resilience and communication.
Another key aspect of the competition is the Engineering Notebook, which is presented to a panel of judges. The Engineering Notebook is just as important as the robot itself, allowing judges to look 'under the hood' of the robot, and delve-in to learn more about the team, the robot and their design processes.
Dates & locations
Tournaments are held year-round at local, regional, and national levels (around 40 in the UK alone) that culminate at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas each April! Every tournament is supported by a team of volunteers along with the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation Regional Support Manager.
STEM Ambassadors can work with teams to support teachers and also judge at events to give inspiration and guidance to attendees.
The competition is open to all, globally, including school teams, clubs, and independent teams.
Duration
The season runs from May to the following March, and teams can attend as many events as they wish during that season.
Teams currently taking part will typically meet weekly (or fortnightly early in the season) after school or during lunchtimes, this frequency can increase closer to events.
The programme is designed to be student-led so work can take place away from school by students.
A typical team will spend a minimum of 6 sessions prior to an event working and developing their robot, but the team may spend as much additional time as they wish in preparation for an event.
Cost
There is an annual registration fee of £125+VAT for the season, which allows teams to attend as many qualification events as they wish, both locally and across the country.
Teams also require a VEX V5 robotics kit to build their robot with - this is available from VEX Robotics and can be used year-on-year, so not an annual fee.
Grants are available throughout the season from various organisations and - for the 2024/25 season - the REC Foundation Grants for new school teams starting in the UK.
Accreditation
Taking part in the VEX V5 Robotics Competition can be used to complete the Silver CREST Award - Managed by the British Science Association.
Learning outcomes
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Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
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Improve attainment and progress in STEM subjects
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Learning what the engineering workplace is like
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Develop engineering employability skills
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Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
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Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
Subjects and topics
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- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Engineering
- Maths
- Physics
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- Design, art and fashion
- Electronics, robotics and programming
- Materials, products and manufacturing
- Mechanical engineering, systems and processes
- Sport and fitness
- Structures, construction and civil engineering
Gatsby benchmarks
TheGatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Encounters with further and higher education
Essential skills
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
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Aiming high - the ability to set clear, tangible goals and devise a robust route to achieving them.
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Creativity - the use of imagination and the generation of new ideas.
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Leadership - supporting, encouraging and motivating others to achieve a shared goal.
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Listening - the ability to listen and understand information.
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Problem solving - the ability to find a solution to a complex situation or challenge.
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Speaking - the oral transmission of information or ideas.
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Staying positive - the ability to use tactics to overcome setbacks and achieve goals.
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Teamwork - working cooperatively with others towards achieving a shared goal.
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