When we think about teaching and learning with VEX, many things come to mind, such as:

• Planning for how to start off the school year
• Troubleshooting code for the Castle Crasher STEM Lab
• How to use EXP STEM Labs with V5 robots
• Where to get started with a competition team
• Using VEX GO materials to support both GO and IQ Kits for new builders
• Improving students’ engineering notebook practices
• How to introduce VEX 123 to your youngest students

What do all these ideas have in common? They have all been topics discussed in 1-on-1 Sessions! Whether you’re new to VEX or an experienced VEX educator, 1-on-1 Sessions offer personalized support. You can talk with a member of the VEX Education Team about your questions, students, and situation, all from the comfort of your own space.

The first 1-on-1 Sessions were part of the first VEX Robotics Educators Conference. Attendees signed up for individual sessions to ask questions, share ideas, learn about VEX resources, and discuss how to grow as a VEX educator. These sessions filled up quickly, and extra slots were added each day. These chats helped educators make personal connections with VEX, integrate conference content into their classrooms, and link their current practices with future goals.

Feedback from the conference showed the value of the 1-on-1 Sessions, leading to the decision to offer them throughout the school year. While in-person meetings aren’t always possible, video conferencing allows 1-on-1 Sessions to continue year-round. As a PD+ All Access subscriber, you can get support whenever you need it. Instead of waiting for the next conference, you can schedule a video 1-on-1 Session anytime to help you plan, teach, troubleshoot, and learn with your students.

1-on-1 Session Topic Ideas

Back to school is a great time to start with 1-on-1 Sessions! Schedule a session as you get your classroom ready, plan for the coming weeks, and prepare for new students. Recent 1-on-1 topics have included:

• What PD+ resources should I use as a new VEX teacher?
• How should I organize my classroom to best meet my students’ needs?
• I have brand new students this year. Which STEM Lab should I start with?
• Can I use VEXcode VR until I get my new Kits? How would that work?
• There are so many VEX resources - where should I start?

The virtual nature of 1-on-1 Sessions gives you the flexibility to join from your own space—whether it’s your classroom, home, or anywhere you’re comfortable. For example, in a recent 1-on-1 Session, I met with an educator who was just returning for in-service days before students arrived. He told me about where he left off the previous year, and together, we planned for his second-year robotics students. We chose a STEM Lab to start with and discussed how to build on what he’d done with VR last year. This led to integrating VR and IQ for a robust Castle Crasher experience. We’re planning another session after he finishes the first STEM Lab to debrief and prepare for what’s next.

Between 1-on-1 Sessions, we talked about continuing the conversation in the PD+ Community. There, he can get my perspective and tap into the collective experience of IQ educators around the world.

How to Schedule

1-on-1 Sessions are only available to PD+ All Access members. To schedule a 1-on-1 Session, just select “1-on-1 Sessions” from the Navigation panel to view the calendar.

Choose the date and time that works best for you. You will be sent a Google Meet link for the video session.

When scheduling, you’ll fill out which platform(s) you are using and what you’d like to discuss so that the VEX Expert can come prepared. After the session, you will receive a certificate for your professional development records. You can schedule multiple 1-on-1 Sessions throughout the school year to help you reach your professional learning goals.