Frequently Asked
Questions
What is VEX Robotics?
VEX Robotics is a worldwide robotics program with curriculum that supports elementary through university students. At Eastmark, we use the VEX program, tools, and kits to teach coding, engineering, teamwork, perseverance, iteration, creativity, and good-sportsmanship. Students will meet twice weekly at the school. We use the VEX building kits, parts, elements, and field to prepare for competitions that take place on various Saturdays.
To learn more about this year's VEX competitions, check out the links below:
What is the difference between Club Robotics and Competition Robotics?
Club Robotics: Join the club to learn coding and engineering. You get to build and use the VEX field and parts. Meet after school with other enthusiastic students.
No fee required
Competition Robotics: Competition Robotics is where the real action is at! We meet together with the Robotics Club, but the Competition Teams are split into groups of 3-4 students who build robots to compete in Saturday tournaments with schools from around the state. Battle your bot in teamwork matches. Troubleshoot and improve for each tournament.
One-time fee: $100
What are VEX competitions like?
Each year, VEX creates a new game to challenge students to create a robot to perform specific tasks on an closed field. Typically, the tasks involve lifting, launching, loading, opening, closing, and other forms of object manipulation. We design and program our robots to perform as many of these tasks as possible in the allotted time to score maximum points. Portions of the competition are dedicated to the robots performing the task while a driver controls it with a remote, while other portions of the competition are driver-free, or entirely pre-programmed movements.
VEX competitions are held on various Saturdays throughout the school year at school locations throughout the valley, usually starting in October. Our coaches will work together with the Eastmark teams to determine their readiness for competition. Teams will register for competitions when they have assembled a robot that can successfully drive around the field and score points of some kind. You don't have to be an expert to compete! The whole point of this program is to learn from mistakes and keep at it.
Saturday VEX Competitions typically run 8am-4pm with a break for lunch.
To learn more about this year's VEX competitions, check out the links below:
When will I know that my robot is ready for competition?
VEX has carefully outlined rules for the parts and materials they will allow you to use at competitions. We can only build with VEX approved parts in order to compete. This is to keep everything fair and safe. There are also rules for the robot size: height, width, and depth.
To compete your robot MUST:
-Fit into the prescribed VEX parameters
-Be able to drive around the field safely
-Be able to score points of some kind
To compete students MUST:
-Agree to the VEX code of conduct
-Show they are willing to learn from their mistakes and keep trying
-Not miss more than three (3) robotics club meetings
As with any competition, there are lots of ups and downs in a robotics season. Expect to be frustrated when the robot falls apart in the middle of a competition. Expect to be elated when everything goes exactly as you planned it. Expect to have all the feelings crammed into one challenging day. Expect to feel really proud of the hard work and learning you've put in to your robot, regardless of the outcome. Remember, you don't have to be an expert to compete! The whole point of this program is to learn from mistakes and keep at it.
To learn more about this year's VEX competitions, check out the links below:
What has the Eastmark Team accomplished in the past?
This team of robot engineers has a whole heap of accomplishments under their belt:
-Two-time AZ VEX State Champions
-Two-time AZ VEX State Runners-Up
-30+ tournament awards
-6+ years of VEX competitions
-Capable coders in both C++ and Python
-Qualified for VEX World's Robotics Championship 6 times
We want you to come be part of the fun!
Who do I contact with more questions?
Coaches are here to help! Send them an email with any questions
Andy Kasper
Landon Huber