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

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

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

What is Vex?

Structural

Motion

Motion - Pneumatic Single Double

Sensors

Power

Logic

Control – Accessories 75mhz

Control – Accessories VEXnet

Software

Equipment

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

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

Protobot Robotic Kit = $199.99

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

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

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)

Classroom LAB PIC Bundles Base Kit - $699.99 4 pack - $2999 or $749.75 each Includes one seat of Inventor Includes Crystal Set A 8 pack - $5799 or $724.88 each Includes Crystal Set B Add Programming EasyC - 1 seat - $74.99 10 seats - $250.00 RobotC - 1 seat - $74.99 12 seats - $500.00 Programming Bundle – only 1 required Cable and adapters - $49.99

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

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

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) *

Classroom LAB Cortex Bundles Base Kit - $849.99 4 pack - $3599 or $899.75 each Includes one seat of Inventor 8 pack - $6999 or $874.88 each Add Programming EasyC - 1 seat - $74.99 10 seats - $250.00 RobotC - 1 seat - $74.99 12 seats - $500.00 Programming Bundle – only 1 required Cable and adapters - $49.99

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.

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!

Classroom Competition Bundles $999

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

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

Step 3 – Research Resources http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu Contains the full VEX curriculum online Also contains lesson plans http://www.vexrobotics.com/ http://robotevents.com/ http://hobbyvex.org http://www.vexfan.com http://robomatter.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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