Robotics is not only the future, it is also the present. By familiarizing students with programming, sensors, and automation, they hone critical computational thinking skills needed to succeed in both the 21st century’s workforce and in everyday life.
Beyond science and engineering principles, VEX Robotics solutions encourage creativity, teamwork, leadership, passion, and problem-solving among groups. That’s why VEX is committed to advancing robotics education as leaders in STEM, making it easy to implement and being your partner along the way!
Each year, VEX releases a competition, which utilizes a 12′ by 12′ field, releasing a different challenge, and incorporating VEX’s core values. Students are challenged to design and build a robot as a team to compete against other teams in the same region, same province and around the world, winning teams competing at the prestigious World Excellence Champions award. Most importantly, through VEX, students can not only learn in-depth of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), but also work together as a team to tackle different challenges, or for students who want to develop a better understanding of science and technology. These skills can be pursued by the variety of aspects of VEX such as the programming, 3D design, and online media parts to VEX.
The Game:
VEX Robotics Competition Over Under is played on a 12’ x 12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second Autonomous Period, followed by a one minute and forty-five second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period.
The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring Triballs in Goals, and by Elevating at the end of the Match.
The Details:
There are sixty (60) Triballs on a VRC Over Under Field.
There are two netted Goals on opposite sides of the field. A 2” PVC Barrier divides the field into a Red Offensive Zone and a Blue Offensive Zone.
Each Triball scored in a Goal is worth five (5) points, and each Triball which makes it into an Offensive Zone is worth two (2) points.
The VRC Over Under Field also includes two sets of Alliance-specific pipes on either side of the Barrier. These are called Elevation Bars, and are used at the end of the Match for Elevating Robots.
At the end of the Match, each Robot’s height off the ground will be measured to determine their Elevation Tier. Elevation Points will then be awarded based on each Robot’s Tier relative to all other Robots. For example, getting to Tier E could be worth as many as twenty (20) points OR as few as five (5). Elevation Tiers begin at the floor, and they end above the Elevation Bar!
The Alliance that scores more points in the Autonomous period is awarded with eight (8) bonus points, added to the final score at the end of the match. Each Alliance also has the opportunity to earn an Autonomous Win Point by completing three assigned tasks. This Bonus can be earned by both Alliances, regardless of who wins the Autonomous Bonus
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