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Goal

The goal of the Volunteer Elementary School Robotics Coaches (VESRC) program is to introduce VEX IQ robotics to local Tampa Bay elementary schools. Founded by high school students Leela and Sonia Prakash, this program aims to expand from its successful start at Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School to West Tampa Elementary School. The primary goal is to engage students in interactive robotics experiences that teach foundational STEM skills, with progress measured through pre- and post-program tests assessing students' proficiency in engineering concepts, communication strategies, and documentation. 

 

Category

Learning Aids - Sunshine state book sets, robotics kits, puzzle boards, science models, engineering supplies, etc. 

 

What will be done with my students

VEX IQ is a competitive robotics program where students design and build functioning robots from scratch using plastic robot pieces, block coding, and an engineering notebook. Each year, students tackle a new challenge, such as this year's game that resembles catch, requiring them to build robots capable of specific tasks. Through this process, students learn vital skills such as building, coding, driving, and documenting their work, while also gaining real-world experiences in teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. These skills are reinforced throughout the school year, aligning with classroom learning and preparing students for future academic and career opportunities. The program is fully integrated into the school year, with continuous reinforcement of scientific and engineering principles that will be measured through pre- and post-tests. 

 

Benefits to my students

We expect a 50-75% increase in students' understanding of engineering concepts and scientific communication by the end of the program. Since many elementary classes only briefly touch on these topics, this will be new and valuable information for the students. Throughout the year, we will continuously reinforce these ideas so that by the end of the season, students will have a strong grasp of the engineering process and communication strategies. Pre- and post-tests administered on the first and last days of the program will be compared to measure the students' learning progression, demonstrating the impact of the program on their academic growth. 

 

Budget Narrative

Item 1: This is the competition kit for the VEX 2024-2025 IQ season
Item 2: This is the elements and field equipment for the above game
Item 3: This is the playing field for the above game
Item 4: This is the yearly team registration fee
Item 5: This is the competition fees for the 3 competitions the team will be enrolled in
Item 6: This is a cart for the kids to push their robot around in during competitions to ensure safety for the students and robot
9/30/24 deadline 

 

Items