2-Year High School VEX Robotics & Computer Science Bundle

This file contains the entire 2-year high school course curriculum bundle, which includes everything you need to start teaching the course: Course and Lesson Plans with Teacher Notes, Slide Decks, Lesson Resources, Projects, Activities, Tests, and more.

(To view each entire curriculum's content: Open the Zip file -> Open the folder -> Open the curriculum.html file in your browser by double-clicking on the file.)

Year 1

Intro to Computer Science & VEX Robotics

Learn Python Programming, Robotics, and More CS!

Year 2

Robotics 2: Advanced VEX Robotics

Robotics/Computer Science - Year 2

Each Curriculum in This Bundle:

Year 1

Intro to Computer Science & VEX Robotics

Learn Python Programming, Robotics, and More CS!

This is a full-year (2 semesters), Project-Based Learning (PBL) course on introduction to computer science for high school. The students will get a comprehensive overview of and experience in many areas in the field of computer science through numerous fun & engaging, hands-on, individual & group projects and activities, mostly under the context of VEX Robotics™. The following topics will be covered:

• Robotics
• Python Programming
• Artificial Intelligence
• Web Development
• Data Analysis
• Computing Theory, Algorithms, Data Structures
• Problem Solving, Computational Thinking, Design Thinking
• 3D Modeling & Design
• Basics of Computer Hardware & Software (IT)
• Technical Career Exploration

All robotics projects make use of either the VEX Virtual Robot (VR) Simulator website or either of the physical robot kits VEX EXP or VEX V5 Clawbot. While it's recommended that the students groups each have access to a EXP/V5 Clawbot kit, the course can easily accommodate classrooms which only have access to the online VEX virtual simulator website but don't have the physical kit.

*™ VEX and VEX Robotics are trademarks or service marks of Innovation First, Inc.

Requirements for teacher

• Computer with internet access
• Projector and speakers for in-person classrooms, connected to the computer
• Whiteboard, Markers, Eraser
• Google account to use Google Slides
• BSD Online account
• A classroom management site such as Google Classroom
• Tinkercad teacher account
• A VEX VR Enhanced account
• 1 pack of blank paper (A4 size)
• VEXcode EXP or VEXcode V5 application — optional

Requirements for students

• No prior knowledge or experience in programming needed
• Laptop with internet access
• Student account for the classroom management site used by the teacher for assigning/submitting projects, such as Google Classroom
• Google account to use Google Suite applications
• BSD Online account
• Tinkercad student account
• VEX EXP Education Kit or VEX V5 Classroom Starter Kit (1 kit per 2-5 students recommended) — optional
• VEXcode EXP or VEXcode V5 application — optional

Year 2

Robotics 2: Advanced VEX Robotics

Robotics/Computer Science - Year 2

This is a full-year (2 semesters), Project-Based Learning (PBL)/Capstone year course, taken as a second-year computer science/robotics high school course (recommended first year course: Intro to Computer Science & VEX Robotics (Full Year)). After reviewing VEX Robotics™, computer science, and Python programming knowledge and skills from the first year course, students will work more independently within their groups to research and explore various advanced VEX Robotics sensors, to propose and conduct projects involving each type of sensor. Student groups will also prepare for (and optionally participate in) the yearly VEX Robotics competition game. The topics cover the following areas:

• Robotics Construction & Engineering
• VEX Robotics Programming
• Robotics Advanced Sensors
• VEX Clawbot Advanced Project
• VEX Robotics Competition Games
• 3D CAD (Design)
• Artificial intelligence
• Arduino or micro:bit Circuit Simulation
• Physics Simulations
• Others

In the second semester, the students will propose and complete their own individual robotics capstone projects, based on their strengths/interests, with a focus on one or more of several areas above.

All robotics projects use the VEX Virtual Robot (VR) Website, or the VEX EXP/V5 Clawbot physical robots, VEX advanced sensors, or other online circuits/robotics simulators. Competition-related projects require one or more of the VEX V5 Competition Starter Kit.

*™ VEX and VEX Robotics are trademarks or service marks of Innovation First, Inc.

Requirements for teacher

• Computer with internet access
• Projector and speakers for in-person classrooms, connected to the computer
• Whiteboard, Markers, Eraser
• Google account to use Google Slides
• BSD Online account
• A classroom management site such as Google Classroom
• Tinkercad teacher account
• A VEX VR Premium account
• VEXcode V5 application

Requirements for students

• One prior year of Robotics/Computer Science course. Recommended year 1 course: Intro to Computer Science & VEX Robotics (Full Year)
• Laptop with internet access
• Student account for the classroom management site used by the teacher for assigning/submitting projects, such as Google Classroom
• Google account to use Google Suite applications
• VEX V5 Classroom Starter Kits or VEX EXP Education Kits (1 kit per 2-5 students recommended)
• VEX V5 Competition Starter Kits (1 kit per 2-5 students recommended)
• VEXcode V5 application
• Various VEX Robotics Advanced Sensors (1 set per 3-5 students recommended)
• BSD Online account
• Tinkercad student account

What Students Say

92% Learned a lot or most of what they expected

96% Found lessons often challenging

84% Thought lessons were mostly interesting

96% Got a lot of hands-on practice

93% Said class has increased their knowledge & skills

91% Thought class helped them plan for college & career

30% Would like to work in this field