The IP Flying Cheese, a team of five fifth graders from Indian Peaks Elementary, is gearing up to demonstrate their programming, building, and problem-solving skills at the Colorado VEX IQ State Championship on March 9 at Silver Creek High School.
At the event, teams compete in two types of VEX IQ Full Volume challenges, which involve programming their robots to move around a field, grabbing, tossing, and strategically placing game pieces into scoring zones to earn the most points.
The Teamwork Challenge pairs students with an alliance team from another school, and they use their robots collaboratively to score points in 60 seconds. “Before each match, the two teams work together to come up with a strategy based on what their robot can do that will get them the most points,” shared Nicholas Searls, Third Grade Teacher, at Indian Peaks.
The Skills Challenge is divided into two types of matches: driving and programming. “In the driving skills match, two drivers take turns trying to get as many points as possible by choosing to knock down blocks, lift and put blocks into the different goals, or empty the supply zone,” said Searls. “The team creates a strategy based on what their robot is the best at, so they are able to get as many points as possible.”
During the programming match, pre-programmed robots perform specific tasks on the field without direct control from the drivers. This evaluates the teams’ ability to code their robots efficiently and accurately complete challenges within a 60-second time frame. Additionally, judges interview students about their robot-building process. Fifth-grader Omari Morales shared his excitement about the state competition, saying, “I am looking forward to having fun with my team and trying our best. It would be great to possibly win a couple more trophies and make it to Worlds.”
Omari shared that the team has been dividing tasks and organizing supplies to be well-prepared in case their robot encounters any issues during the state event. “With our new ideas, we are also making sure all group members agree and that the ideas fall within the rules for the robot builds. We are also solving problems as they happen along the way.”
The IP Flying Cheese won the Build Award at their first event of the year for their attention to detail in constructing a robot that withstood the rigors of the competition. At their most recent tournament, they were honored with the Design Award for their professional approach to the engineering design process, project and time management, and team organization. “I am so proud of these students,” said Searls. “They have been so dedicated and passionate to learn all about building robots, programming robots, and how to dissect the VEX IQ challenge to come up with a design that is going to allow them to succeed and get as many points as they can. I have been lucky to be their robotics coach for the last three years. I can’t wait to see how they perform at state.”