Our Grade 8 and 9 Robotics students started the new term with a rapid-build challenge designed to introduce them to our VEX V5 robotics kits—and to each other.

The challenge was to build a new component for our Robotics table, which we named VEX City. Working in small, randomized groups, students had just two classes to use the parts in their kits, along with materials from our parts pantry, to create either a building between 1 and 2 metres tall or a vehicle that could roll down a ramp.

With only two classes to complete their builds, students had to make decisions quickly. They experimented with different ways to connect parts, figured out how to make their structures more stable, and adjusted their designs as they went. There was plenty of building, testing, taking things apart, and trying again.

The finished rapid prototypes became part of VEX City and were displayed on our Robotics table during Meet the Teacher night. It was a great way to give families a look at some of the hands-on problem solving and teamwork that students will be doing throughout the term.

The post was enhanced using the prompt “Improve this blog post in flow, spelling, and grammar. It is for an audience of junior high families:…”

The poster for the activity was created using ChatGPT.