• Build a small robot from plastic components to compete on a 6'x8' field. 

• Program basic autonomous tasks and control the robot with a controller. 

• Work with a partner team in teamwork-style matches.

• Maintain a simple engineering notebook for judged awards. 

• Registration: $150 per team 

• Vex IQ Starter Kit: ~$250-$400

• Extra parts: $100-$300

• Event Fees: $40-$80 per competition

• Excellence Award: Top overall team based on performance, notebook, judging, and teamwork.

• Design Award: Recognizes a team with a strong design process and a well-documented notebook.

• Teamwork Champion Award: Awarded to the highest-scoring alliance in teamwork matches.

• Robot Skills Champion Award: Given to the team with the highest combined autonomous and driver skills score.

• Think Award: Celebrates exceptional programming and problem-solving logic.

• Innovate Award: Honors creative engineering solutions and outside-the-box thinking.

• Create Award: Given for imaginative and well-executed robot design strategies.

• Build Award: Recognizes quality robot construction and craftsmanship.

• Judges Award: Awarded at the judges’ discretion to a standout team that doesn’t fit into other categories.

• Motivate Award: Recognizes spirit, team identity, and outreach to promote STEM.

• Energy Award: Celebrates positivity, enthusiasm, and team cooperation.

• Sportsmanship Award: Given to a team that shows respect, helpfulness, and teamwork throughout the event.

https://codeiq.vex.com/ (VEXcode IQ)

https://www.vexrobotics.com/iq (VEX IQ Curriculum)

https://kb.vex.com/hc/en-us (VEX Library) 

https://www.vexforum.com/ (VEX Forum)

https://recf.org/ (VEX Foundation Resources)

• Students new to robotics or programming

• Programs that want a creative and beginner-friendly entry point

• Teams focused on collaboration and learning core STEM skills

• Build a metal robot to compete on a 12'x12' field with alliance matches.

• Program autonomous and driver-controlled periods using sensors and logic. 

• Keep a detailed Engineering Notebook documenting your design process.

• Compete in 2v2 matches and skills challenges.

• Registration: $200 per team (+$50 for each additional team)

• VEC V5 Starter Kit or Competition Kit: $600-$1200

• Extra parts/tools: $500-$1000, depending on team needs

• Field and game elements (optional): $500-$1000

• Event Fees: $60-$300 per competition

• Excellence Award: Top honor recognizing strong performance, documentation, interviews, and leadership.

• Design Award: Awarded for exceptional engineering process and notebook documentation.

• Robot Skills Champion Award: Recognizes the highest scoring team in skills challenges (driver + autonomous).

• Innovate Award: Given for innovative thinking and problem-solving in robot design.

• Think Award: Celebrates teams with advanced programming and control systems.

• Create Award: Awarded for originality in engineering and strategic robot functionality.

• Build Award: Honors strong mechanical design, reliability, and build quality.

• Amaze Award: Recognizes a high-performing robot with impressive features or consistency.

• Judges Award: Given to a team that excels in unique ways not covered by other awards.

• Sportsmanship Award: Awarded for respect, cooperation, and support among teams.

• Energy Award (less common): Recognizes teams with contagious excitement and a positive presence.

• Online Challenge Awards: Virtual awards for skills in CAD, STEM writing, video, and design submitted before the season.

https://codev5.vex.com/ (VEXcode V5)

https://www.vexforum.com/ (VEX Forum)

https://www.vexrobotics.com/v5/competition/competition-overview/?q=__empty__ (VEX Competition Support) 

https://recf.org/teams/ (REC Team Guide) 

https://kb.roboticseducation.org/hc/en-us/articles/8369508470935-VEX-Digital-Notebook-Templates (VEX Digital Notebook Templates) 

• Students ready for intermediate or advanced robotics competition 

• Teams that enjoy creative design, coding, and documentation

• Programs seeking structured STEM challenges with real-world applications

• Design and build two robots (one small, one large) for advanced play on a 12'x12' field. 

• Use autonomous programming and advanced control strategies. 

• Apply machining, 3D printing, and software integration. 

• Document work with a professional-grade engineering notebook. 

• Registration: ~$200-$300

• Robots and materials: $2000-$5000, depending on team resources

• Custom components and advanced tools may increase costs. 

• Event Fees: Varies by qualifier or invitational level

• Excellence Award: Best all-around university team in engineering, judging, and performance.

• Design Award: Given for a high-level design process and a professional engineering notebook.

• Robot Skills Champion Award: Top-performing team in autonomous and driver skills runs.

• Innovate Award: Honors unique engineering approaches using advanced tools and methods.

• Think Award: Recognizes advanced programming strategy and code efficiency.

• Judges Award: Special recognition for outstanding teams in unconventional ways.

• Community Award (often an Online Challenge): Celebrates impact on the local or global robotics community through outreach and involvement.

• Online Challenge Awards: Recognize excellence in written, design, or media projects submitted online pre-season.

https://www.vexforum.com/t/vexu-robot-rules/115496 (VEX U Forum)

https://pros.cs.purdue.edu/ (Pros - open-source robotics software)

https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexcode/pro-v5 (VEXcode Pro)

https://www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions/college-competition (VEX U Robotics Competition) 

https://www.competitionsciences.org/competitions/vex-u/ (Institute of Competition Sciences)

https://kb.roboticseducation.org/hc/en-us/articles/8369508470935-VEX-Digital-Notebook-Templates (VEX Digital Notebook Templates) 

• College students seeking advanced robotics challenges

• Teams with access to fabrication tools and custom part design

• Programs focused on R&D, innovation, and high-level coding