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When I was asked to take over my school’s robotics program in September 2023, I had no idea how transformative the experience would be—for me, for our students, and for our community. At the time, the program consisted of just a single VEX IQ Robotics Team competing in the VEX IQ league at Dodson Middle School. By the end of the year, I had established a thriving robotics club, creating opportunities for more students to explore robotics and engineering. What followed was a whirlwind of planning, teamwork, and growth, culminating in an incredible journey I’m excited to share.
Starting From Scratch
When I took on the role of robotics coach, I had to form a VEX IQ Robotics Team almost immediately. With little time to spare, I reached out to the parents of 5th-grade students, asking for email applications to gauge interest. The response was overwhelming—15 enthusiastic families wanted to join. However, competition rules required a much smaller team, so I had to make tough decisions.
I selected six students based on a combination of academic performance, behavior, and a crucial factor: parental involvement. With no budget for buses or transportation, I needed parents who could commit to attending competitions and supporting the team at every step. Thankfully, I ended up with an incredible group of parents who didn’t just participate—they became true partners in our VEX IQ Robotics Team’s success.
Building the First Team
With the help of one especially dedicated parent who dove deep into the competition rules and requirements, our VEX IQ Robotics Team began to take shape. Students brainstormed ideas and worked together to design and build their first robot. At our first league competition at Dodson Middle School, we placed second—a fantastic start that energized the entire team.
Support grew when one of our school aides adjusted her schedule to assist during practice. Her experience with the previous year’s VEX IQ Robotics Team proved invaluable. Our efforts paid off: we became the top elementary school in our league and earned a spot in the 2024 Southern California VEX IQ Elementary School Championship for Los Angeles, where we ranked 10th.
Expanding the Program: Starting a Robotics Club
After the competitive season ended, I realized that more students needed access to robotics. That’s when I decided to start a robotics club. Using VEX GO kits, the club opened the door for younger students to gain hands-on experience and develop a foundation in robotics. It also gave more parents a chance to engage with the program and contribute to its growth alongside our VEX IQ Robotics Team.
The Unsung Heroes: Parent Coaches
While I oversee the robotics program as a whole, much of its success is due to the dedication and expertise of our parent coaches. These incredible volunteers go above and beyond to assist our students, not by giving them solutions, but by teaching them the concepts and skills needed to bring their ideas to life. The students drive the designs and strategies—they brainstorm, discuss, innovate, and use trial and error. The parent coaches encourage them and teach concepts to help ensure that they understand how to turn their visions into functional robotics.
One of our parent coaches has been with the team for two years and has become an invaluable resource. When the students on his team wanted to find a faster way for the catapult on their robot to reset, he didn’t simply provide the answer. Instead, he created an instructional aid to teach them about levers and gears, helping them understand how these mechanisms could be applied to achieve their goal. This hands-on approach not only helped students figure out how to solve the problem but also deepened the students’ understanding of engineering principles.
Our parent coaches embody the collaborative spirit of the program, empowering students to take ownership of their learning while providing the tools and guidance they need to succeed. Their contributions are a cornerstone of what makes our VEX IQ Robotics Team so special.
Learning from the Best: Scouting and Research
I scouted a few top VEX IQ Rapid Relay competitions in my area to improve our team’s performance and gather fresh ideas. More than anything these scouting trips helped me understand the level of competition we were up against. I used the information gained to help inspire the students to keep coming up with great ideas and practicing.
In addition, our team turned to YouTube to research bot ideas. One standout personality in the VEX IQ community was Ben Lipper, whose videos offer great ideas and clear explanations of complex concepts.
The 2024-2025 Season: Growing Teams and Leadership
This year, the program is competing at Steven White Middle School, and I’ve expanded it by forming two teams: a 4th-grade team and a 5th-grade team. Drawing from my experience, I sought parents who were already active school volunteers and students who demonstrated strong work ethics, behavior, and grades. Once again, parental involvement proved critical. Each team has a dedicated parent coach, and many parents actively contribute to the program.
Our teams are thriving. As of now, they hold the top two spots in their league. Watching the students collaborate, innovate, and improve week by week has been inspiring. YouTube videos have been an incredible resource for sparking design ideas, and our coaches’ commitment has made all the difference. Both teams are working hard to ensure our VEX IQ Robotics Team continues to excel in competitions.
Understanding the Competition: VEX IQ Rapid Relay
This season’s challenge, Rapid Relay, emphasizes teamwork and strategy. The game requires robots to pass balls, score them in goals, and activate switches for points. Each league meet consists of four matches where teams are randomly paired with others. The scores from these matches determine rankings, which carry over to the final meet.
In the final competition, teams are paired based on their rankings, with the highest-ranked teams competing together. The pair with the highest score qualifies for the regional championship. Our goal is for both of our teams to qualify by competing as the top two ranked teams in the final. This would be a huge accomplishment for our VEX IQ Robotics Team and a testament to everyone’s hard work.
Reflecting on Success
Our success is a testament to the dedication of our students, parents, and coaches. While I’ve put in countless hours, the real magic happens because of the volunteers who step up and make this program possible. From designing robots to strategizing for competitions, their efforts ensure that our VEX IQ Robotics Team not only competes but thrives.
Final Thoughts
Building a robotics program in an elementary school takes time, effort, and a lot of collaboration. But the rewards are immense. Watching students gain confidence, solve problems, and build friendships makes every challenge worth it. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited to see what the future holds for our teams and club.
If you’re considering starting a robotics program at your school, my advice is simple: start small, involve parents, and celebrate every win—big or small. The journey is as rewarding as the destination.
Jeremy Sayers
My first blog was meant to connect with and provide resources for students and parents in the 2nd-grade class I was teaching.
EdThings.com is an extension of that first site. There are many math resources and worksheets on this site, along with articles related to the field of education.
I have been an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. In 2023 I was honored to be named as an LAUSD Teacher of the Year. Thank you for visiting. I hope this site is helpful to you.