1. Todd Rathier – Mentor Leominster High School Devil Dawgs Robotics
Starting a VEX team
Todd Rathier – Mentor
Leominster High School Devil Dawgs Robotics

2. Credits:
Adapted from Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Academy
Pictures and prices from VexRobotics.com

3. Step by Step – Step 1 Why become involved with VEX?
Reinforce or teach math concepts
Engineering concepts
Programming
Teamwork
Problem solving
Competition

4. What is Vex?

5. Structural

6. Motion

7. Motion - Pneumatic
Single
Double

8. Sensors

9. Power

10. Logic

11. Control – Accessories 75mhz

12. Control – Accessories VEXnet

13. Software

14. Equipment

15. Step 2A - Hardware What do I start with?
Autonomous versus Driver Control
Types of controllers
Signal Splitter – no controller required
PIC Controller – older version
CORTEX Controller – brand new
Types of controls
75 MHz Transmitter & Receiver
VEXnet Joystick – brand new

16. Signal Splitter No programming Takes 7.2V VEX batteries
Runs up to 6 PWM devices
Motors
Servos

17. Protobot Robotic Kit = $199.99

18. PIC Controller Wireless with the 75MHz receiver and transmitter
Microchip user processor
(8) Motor ports
(16) Digital I/O, Analog In
(6) Interrupt I/O
(1) Serial Port
Programmable
easyC
ROBOTC or MPLAB

19. Starter PIC Bundles Radio Control Starter Bundle - $299.99
Driver mode only – no PIC controller
Includes 75 MHz Transmitter & Receiver
Autonomous Control Starter Bundle - $319.99
Autonomous mode only – PIC controller
No 75 MHz Transmitter & Receiver
Dual Control Starter Bundle - $419.99
Autonomous and driver mode
75 MHz Transmitter & Receiver included
PIC controller included

21. Classroom LAB PIC Bundles
(1) Protobot Robot Kit (1) PIC Microcontroller V0.5
(1) Transmitter & Receiver (1) Servo
(1) Bumper Switch Kit (1) Limit Switch Kit
(1) Advanced Gear Kit (1) Tank Tread Kit
(1) Sprocket & Chain Kit (1) 3-wire Cable Bundle
(1) Inventor's Guide
(1) Booster Kit w/ Additional Metal, Gears & Hardware
(1) 7.2v Robot Battery and Charger
(1) 9.6v Transmitter Battery and Charger
(1) Autodesk VEX Curriculum
(1) Full License of Autodesk Inventor (4 – pack or 8 pack)
(1) Crystal Set A* (4 pack only)
(1) Crystal Set B* (8 pack only)

22. Classroom LAB PIC Bundles
Base Kit - $699.99
4 pack - $2999 or $ each
Includes one seat of Inventor
Includes Crystal Set A
8 pack - $5799 or $ each
Includes Crystal Set B
Add Programming
EasyC - 1 seat - $ seats - $250.00
RobotC - 1 seat - $ seats - $500.00
Programming Bundle – only 1 required
Cable and adapters - $49.99

24. Competition Upgrade Kit $269.99
(1) Metal & Hardware Kit
(1) Tank Tread Upgrade Kit
(1) High Strength Sprocket & Chain Kit
(1) High Strength Gear Kit
(2) 4" Omni-Directional Wheel
(2) Linear Slide
(1) 3-Wire Motor
(2) Rack Gear Brackets
(1) Latex Tubing
(20) Rubber Band
(4) Rubber Links
(2) Hinges

25. CORTEX Controller STMicroelectronics ARM Cortex-M3 user processor
Wireless with built-in VEXnet technology
(8) Standard 3-wire Motor ports
(8) Hi-res (12-bit) Analog Inputs
(2) 2-wire Motor ports
(1) I2C "smart sensor" port
(2) UART Serial Ports
(12) Fast digital I/O ports
Programmable
easyC v4 for Cortex
ROBOTC for Cortex & PIC

26. Classroom LAB Cortex Bundles
(1) Protobot Robot Kit (1) Cortex Microcontroller
(1) VEXnet Joystick (1) Servo
(1) Bumper Switch Kit (1) Limit Switch Kit
(1) Advanced Gear Kit (1) Tank Tread Kit
(1) Sprocket & Chain Kit (1) 3-wire Cable Bundle
(1) Inventor's Guide
(1) Booster Kit w/ Additional Metal, Gears & Hardware
(2) VEXnet USB Adapter Key
(1) VEXnet Backup Battery Holder
(1) USB A-A Tether Cable
(1) 7.2V NiMH Robot Battery
(1) Smart Charger w/ North American Power Cord
(1) 8-Bay AA/AAA Smart Battery Charger
(1) AAA NiMH Rechargeable Battery 6-pack
(1) Autodesk VEX Curriculum
(1) Full License of Autodesk Inventor (CAD) *

27. Classroom LAB Cortex Bundles
Base Kit - $849.99
4 pack - $3599 or $ each
Includes one seat of Inventor
8 pack - $6999 or $ each
Add Programming
EasyC - 1 seat - $ seats - $250.00
RobotC - 1 seat - $ seats - $500.00
Programming Bundle – only 1 required
Cable and adapters - $49.99

29. VEX Classroom Competition School Bundle
"What should I buy?
Why doesn't someone have an 'all-in-one' bundle that contains everything I need?"
This is the perfect bundle for those people. Everything you need to drop a turn-key STEM program into your class in one easy step.

30. For $4999.00 this kit includes:
(5) Classroom Competition Team Kits
(1) VEX Classroom Competition Field "Buy 5 kits, and we'll throw in the field for free."
(1) Crystal Upgrade Kit
Everything you need to build five robots,
and everything you need to play Swept Away.
Also includes special VEX for each of your five teams!

31. Classroom Competition Bundles $999

32. Step 2B - Software EasyC Pros: Many teams use it
Easy to learn, icon based
Supported by Vex Curriculum
Cons:
Difficult to debug
Complicated behaviors may be difficult

33. Step 2B – Software (cont’d)
RobotC
Pros:
Good for high school or college students
C-based programming language
Windows based environment
Supported by Robotics Academy online site
Cons:
C-based language is more difficult to learn

34. Step 3 – Research Resources
Contains the full VEX curriculum online
Also contains lesson plans

35. Step 4 – Teams Decide on size and number of teams
All work should be done in groups of 2 or 4
Odd numbers can lead to feeling “left out”
Groups bigger than 4 have nothing to do
Classrooms generally work best with 2 to a robot
First time coaches do well with 8 on a team
Recruit additional mentors for larger groups
Establish a handbook and student committee

36. Step 4 – Teams (cont’d) Define Roles
Engineer (Builder)
Software Specialist (Programmer)
Information Specialist (Info finder / Researcher)
Project Manager (Whip-cracker)
To build leadership and management skills
Rotate students through roles
Assign students to all roles
Hold students accountable for team responsibilities
Unisex teams – boys are autocratic

37. Step 5 – Logistics Robots Computers Room Size Practice Area
Parts Storage
Network
Projector

38. Step 5 – Logistics (cont’d)
Robots
Robotics Academy recommends 1 robot for every 2 students. We use 1 to 4.
Computers
Preferably 1 to a team. Teams will go through many design cycles during software programming especially during tweak time.
Room Size
Never enough space
Must have build room, programming room, storage space and drive space

39. Step 5 – Logistics (cont’d)
Practice Space
Standard playing field is 12 x 12 feet
Can make do with less
Parts Storage
Static storage for parts and materials
Mobile storage for competition
Network
Software loaded and available
Backup of programs is key
Flash drives – multiple
Network backup

40. Step 5 – Logistics (cont’d)
Projector
Review programming
Build instructions
Review game videos

41. Step 6 – Budget Plan for expenses Robots
Software and Programming Hardware
Curriculum
Materials and Tools
Parts Storage
Competition Fees
Team uniforms (optional)
Team building activities
Rock Climbing
Laser Tag

42. Step 6 – Budget (cont’d) Income? Fundraisers School District
Local Businesses
Local Non-Profit Organizations
Grants

43. Step 7 – Connect Connect with other mentors/teachers
Visit robotic events
Contact a local established team and see how they do things
Numerous forums and blogs
Always include a few key students