Welcome to VEX Robotics Club
Who are we?
Established in 2016 by Mr. Due Hoang, this PTA sponsored VEX Robotics Club is a middle school engineering club geared towards introducing students the basics of robotics with VEX hardware and software. In this student-lead, teacher-mentor club (not a class), students gain crucial hands-on building, mechanics, programming, critical thinking, strategic, collaboration, and leadership skills. We are a competitive robotics team. Over the course of the school year, our robotics club will plan to host outreach events to spread our love for STEM throughout the community. In 2022-2023, we have 73 clubbers among 8 teams who are the main driving force to design curriculum and structure of the program.
Commitment
- This program runs from August through May. There are summer build sessions kick off to prepare for the new season.
- 4 build sessions offered weekly. Minimum attendance is 2 build sessions or 4 hours a week. However, the most successful teams spend way more than the minimum time to drive for excellence. For clubbers who cannot meet the minimum requirement, their status will be changed to inactive and they will be moved onto the waitlist.
- Weekend travel required for local and state tournaments. National and World tournaments will be held out of state during the week in April and May, respectively.
- In addition to the endeavors made by the students, this club requires not only donations but many parent volunteers who are willing to partner with each other and hold a role to be part of the catalyst of the success. We need hands-on volunteers due to the nature and size of the club.
How to join?
- Each year there will be approximate 20-25 spots open for the new clubbers.
- Process starts from an interest form will be sent out through the SUSD at the end of May, with the due date by end of school year.
- For students who submit the interest form, they will receive an email from the VEX student leadership team about the "Rookie Training Program" at the beginning of summer (early June). Study these student-created materials within a month. There will be a 3-phase technical assessment process In July to evaluate the readiness of the prospects. For students who pass the technical assessment, the phase 4 - compatibility evaluation will take place in August after the school starts before finalizing the roster.
- Our program starts in summer and therefore we don't accept new applications in fall. Exception: For students who are new to SUSD, they can submit interest forms at the beginning of the school year and then go through the same Rookie Training Program. Qualified students will be put on the waitlist and shadow a team. There will be an official decision process in November if spots are freed up.
Contact us: rmsrobotics@saratogausd.org
