US Vex Robotics Team Newsletter - Fall 2024

Team Overview

Welcome to the 2024 Robotics Season! We're excited to see the progress of our four amazing teams: Team E, Team R, Team S, and Team V. Below is the updated schedule, important updates, and a roster for each team.

Recent Tournament Updates: Florida State Championship

Congratulations to our robotics teams for securing the VEX Robotics State Championship for the fourth consecutive year—a record-breaking achievement that underscores our status as the leading robotics program in the state.

Team 4154R’s success was particularly remarkable. Despite being initially ranked 28th out of 45 teams, they rallied to defeat the top-ranked alliance through a combination of determination, hard work, and strategic finesse. Alongside Team 4154S—winners of the Amaze Award—Team R has now qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship. This marks our 12th consecutive trip to Worlds, and we couldn’t be prouder of our students’ dedication, innovation, and teamwork.

Understanding Team Roles

In a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, students take on different roles to work together and build a successful robot. Here’s a simple breakdown of each role:

• Green (Driver): The driver is responsible for controlling the robot during competitions. They practice using the remote to drive the robot quickly and accurately in the game’s challenges.
• Purple (Builder): The builder puts the robot together using parts like motors, gears, and sensors. They work with the designer and coder to make sure the robot can perform tasks correctly.
• Yellow (Designer): The designer creates the blueprint for how the robot should look and function. They think about how to solve game challenges and draw plans to guide the building process. In addition, the designer is responsible for documenting the team's work in the engineering notebook, where they record ideas, sketches, and the team's progress throughout the season.
• Blue (Coder): The coder writes the programs that make the robot move and act on its own. They ensure the robot follows commands correctly and can handle tasks like lifting objects or navigating the field.
• Orange (Manager): The manager keeps the team organized. They help make sure everyone is working together, schedules meetings, and handles communication between team members and mentors.

Each role is important, and by working together, the team can build a robot that’s ready to compete!

Important Information

Team Dues: The one-time team payment of $500 per student is due by Friday, October 18. This covers team T-shirts, parts and supplies, local competition registrations, and the end-of-year banquet. You can submit your payment on our main page here.

Robotics Gear: Additional robotics gear is available for purchase from our store on our main page here. These T-shirts are intended for students, but additional gear can be ordered by families.

Competition Spotlight: VEX Robotics World Championship (Teams R & S)

Teams R and S have officially qualified for the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship, taking place May 6–8, 2025. This prestigious event will mark our 12th consecutive appearance at Worlds.

Important Dates - Google Calendar