Every spring, educators from around the world gather for the VEX Robotics World Championship—and right alongside the excitement of student competitions is the VEX Robotics Educators Conference. The 2025 conference brought together teachers, coaches, software developers, and curriculum designers, all united by a shared goal: to make STEM education more accessible, engaging, and impactful. From hands-on workshops to casual conversations, this year’s conference was a space for reflection, inspiration, and collaboration. In this post, members of the VEX Education and Software teams share personal takeaways and memorable moments that highlight just how powerful it is when passionate educators come together to learn, connect, and grow.

In each story, you will find the name of the author and how to tag them in the VEX PD+ Professional Learning Community. We are all looking forward to continuing the conversation!

There Is Not One Way to Teach with Robots

Audra Selkowitz, @AudraSelkowitz

One thing that struck me during many conversations I had with educators was a theme of wondering if they were doing things “right”. Questions like, “Am I supposed to be teaching that?” or “Is what I did this year ok?” to “This is what I inherited, but it doesn’t feel right—what should I be doing?” Part of what makes teaching with robots so unique and engaging is that we can use robots as a tool to meet our students, and ourselves, where we are - in that year, and in that moment. Something I found myself saying repeatedly was that there is no such thing as “supposed to” in this case, and encouraging teachers to see how freeing that can be. I spent a lot of time sharing resources and connecting things like VEXcode VR to physical robots and helping teachers see the possibilities in being creative with existing resources.

The ‘a ha’ moments that happened as teachers began to say things like “I can totally see this in my classroom” or “Oh that makes me excited!” spoke to how each classroom and each year can be different. What we teach and how we teach it doesn’t have to be the same year to year, or the same as anyone else, but should instead speak to where we are and where we are meeting our students. If gear trains don’t seem like something relevant and meaningful to your students, but coding with sensors would spark more interest - lean into that! As STEM educators, part of the fun of our role is to bring fun into the classroom, so don’t be afraid to learn and teach what gets you as excited as your students. And to be creative with how you explore and use VEX resources to make everyone’s learning come to life in the way that works best for all involved.

Engineering Notebooks Are Tools for Communication

Alaina Haws, @AlainaHaws

There are so many different stories I could write about the conference, but many of the topics and conversations that stuck out to me all revolved around engineering notebooks. Questions like these, and others, were brought up during 1-on-1’s, the happy hour, and in workshops:

• How do I get my students started with a notebook?
• Why do notebooks matter in competitions? Do we need them?
• How do I get my students to understand why notebooks are important?
• What is the best way to set up an engineering notebook?

In particular, there was one attendee I met with multiple times throughout the conference on engineering notebooks in regards to a competition. We worked through examples found online to narrow down on an idea of how to present notebooks to the students at the beginning of the next school year. One of the biggest tenets of this conversation was the importance of the engineering notebook as a way to communicate. Engineering notebooks allow students within the same group to communicate with each other. They allow students to communicate with judges at competitions. They allow students to communicate with you, the teacher, throughout their learning.

By setting the understanding of the notebook as a communication tool, you and your students can start to build a shared language for learning. The notebook becomes more than just a record of completed tasks, it becomes a meaningful space where thinking is made visible. When students use their notebooks to document, reflect, and explain, they begin to recognize the value of the process, not just the final result – this in turn allows students to buy in and understand why notebooks are valuable and meaningful.

Differentiation in the Classroom

Jimmy Lin, @Jimmy_Lin

During the workshop, I made several instructional adjustments on the fly. For example, during my AIM session, I frequently reminded participants, “Be sure to share the controller with your partner,” since many of us tend to forget that simple but important step.

I also tailored the activities to accommodate teachers’ diverse backgrounds. Although over 60% of participants had experience with Python or another text-based language, a few had never tried text-based programming. To support them, I differentiated the activity for them to use blocks, then with Switch blocks that showcase the underlying Python code when they convert. At the same time, I also got an advanced C++ and Python user who wanted to know how to use multi-threads in Python. During the worktime, I provided 1-to-1 instruction for this particular participant.

Ultimately, the strategies you encounter at an Educators Conference should mirror your approach in the classroom. Just as your students come with varied experiences and skill levels, meeting them where they are means differentiating your instruction.

Block-Based Coding Builds Workforce Readiness

Jenna Juechter @Jenna_Juechter

At the VEX Robotics Educators Conference, I had countless memorable conversations, but one in particular has stuck with me. We were discussing how VEXcode prepares students for workplace readiness, and the conversation quickly became a deep dive into a common misconception: that in order to be successful in computer science (CS), students must be fluent in a text-based language like Python or C++.

That simply isn’t true!

In fact, many real-world industries use proprietary, visual, or block-based interfaces to run manufacturing systems, automation, and robotics. What matters isn’t whether students can write 100 lines of code from scratch, it’s that they understand the underlying concepts: sequencing, logic, inputs and outputs, conditionals, iteration, and how to debug problems. These are the skills that transfer to the workplace.

Block-based coding platforms like VEXcode offer an accessible entry point into CS without compromising the depth or relevance of what’s being taught. For many students, this opens the door to STEM career paths that may have previously felt out of reach. It’s not about lowering the bar, it’s about changing the perception of where the bar even is!

Understanding Sensors = Better Problem Solving

Aimee DeFoe @Aimee_Defoe

Robots perceive their environments through sensors, so understanding how they work is essential to successfully coding and troubleshooting a robot. In the GO and 123 AI literacy workshops I taught at the conference this year, we began by thoroughly exploring how the Eye Sensor works, as a step towards understanding the fundamental AI concept of perception.

The several “aha” moments that occurred during the Eye Sensor activity were a great reminder to “go slow to go fast”. When we give our students of all ages time to move beyond a surface level understanding of how a sensor works, it saves time and energy in the long run, and helps students to avoid unnecessary frustration. Some of the major takeaways of the Eye Sensor exploration included:

• The Eye Sensor doesn’t detect a color, but actually determines a numerical hue value of a detected object.
• The sensor’s output is only as good as the input it receives from its environment, as its job is to collect data from the world around it! For example,
  • The light on one side of the room can be completely different from the light on the other side of the room, affecting the hue value reported!
• Monitoring hue values in VEXcode can provide real-time information about what the Eye Sensor is “seeing” that can then be used to troubleshoot a project if the robot isn’t behaving as expected.
• A sensor is a tool in a coding toolbox - and just as you would teach a student to understand the use of a ruler or protractor in math class, you can (and should!) teach students to understand sensors!

Never doubt the time it takes to provide your students with a deep understanding of sensors is worth it - you’ll be rewarded with a group of capable and confident coders!

Switch Learning with the New VEX AIM

Jason Do, @Jason_Do

During the new VEX AIM Coding Robot demo, I showcased the many capabilities and interactions you can experience with the robot! I was able to show students and educators that this is not just a robot, but like my little buddy you can interact and play with—opening the door to limitless creative possibilities. I saw people's faces light up with surprise and happiness as they played with the robot, even before using the coding app. Many were amazed by the AI Vision feature, watching the robot find the objects provided and kick the sports ball over and over, sending it flying across the entire board. These playful interactions sparked a flood of new ideas, with many educators and students eager to create their own activities for the robot, such as having it solve a maze on its own or developing a game around it. While the VEX AIM Coding Robot is incredibly fun to play with even before diving into coding, I also helped educators and students understand the Switch block feature and how it plays a key role within some of the major blocks in VEX AIM. Python code can seem daunting at first, but with AIM, the Switch blocks provide a deeper understanding of how these structures work, breaking the notion that the block coding is not just a mysterious "black box" of magic code. I was elated and energized as I showed how Switch blocks can help younger students ease their way into Python coding while still keeping the simplicity of block-based programming. Educators and students alike told me, "Wow, I can definitely use these Switch blocks more to get into Python coding!" Hearing this filled me with excitement, knowing we're helping bridge the gap to Python and empowering them to create their own fun projects and programs. My first time at VEX Worlds was a blast, and I never had a dull moment showing off the AIM robot and the Switch blocks! Being able to "nerd out" about what I’ve been developing, and seeing people become genuinely interested in these two aspects, truly brought me joy as I talked with everyone who stopped by. :)

Bringing Accessibility to the Driver's Seat

Bek Omonkulov, @Bek_Omonkulov

During the VEX Robotics Educators Conference, I had the opportunity to demo the VEX Accessibility App, which allows users to control a VEX IQ Brain using an Xbox Adaptive Controller. This helps students work around the physical limitations of the standard VEX controller, lowering the barrier of entry for students who might otherwise be unable to participate as drivers on a robotics team. During one of these demos, a moment truly blew me away. A teacher teared up as she shared how a student on her team—who had never been able to be a driver—could finally participate thanks to these new tools. She explained how this student had always been on the sidelines, unable to physically use the standard controller, but now had the chance to fully engage with their team and compete like everyone else. This was a common theme throughout the day—after nearly every demo, educators would share stories of multiple students they knew who would benefit from these accessibility features right away.

As a software engineer, I don’t often get to interact face-to-face with the teachers and students who use what we build. Seeing their reactions and hearing how much VEX’s focus on accessibility means to them was both humbling and motivating. It was a powerful reminder of how important it is to keep lowering barriers and making robotics a space where every student feels they belong.

Interacting with the PD+ Community

Catherine Kettner @Catherine_Kettner

As a software developer at VEX, we spend a lot of time thinking about how to build features that enhance the VEXcode experience, getting to share those features directly with educators, see them in action, and hear your feedback was a great reminder of why we do this work. Seeing the creative ways teachers integrate the VEX Continuum into classrooms was the highlight of my time at the Educators Conference.

One educator described a project that stood out to me: students were given the freedom to design their own robotics challenges and presentations throughout the semester, ending in a showcase night for family and friends – think a school art exhibition, but for robotics! This approach not only kept students deeply engaged but also supported creativity, ownership, as well as community and family involvement.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share how you’re using VEXcode. It’s incredibly motivating to see the impact of these tools in classrooms and helps us understand how we can best improve VEXcode.

Co-Creating VEXcode with Educators

Sardorbek Omonkulov @Sardorbek_Omonkulov

As a developer attending the VEX Robotics Educators Conference meant a lot to me. It's rare to have the chance to chat directly with teachers who actually use the software you help build, so I genuinely appreciated every conversation.

While showing off some of our latest features, I had several eye-opening conversations. One memorable moment was sharing api.vex.com. Honestly, I didn't expect such enthusiastic reactions. Teachers were thrilled with the detailed documentation and examples. They explained how it could empower their students to confidently explore coding and troubleshoot independently. Their excitement gave me a deeper appreciation for the power of clear, accessible documentation.

Another insightful conversation focused on simplifying the toolbox for specific lessons. This led to a discussion about the challenges students face when necessary tools aren't immediately visible, as well as how overwhelming it can be if everything is displayed at once. This was a valuable perspective on the balance we developers need to maintain when designing user interfaces.

One of the most inspiring interactions was with a teacher who had personally interviewed students competing at VEX Worlds about their programming choices. He discovered that many students believed using C++ was essential to being competitive, a misconception we had never realized existed. His energy and dedication to uncovering student perspectives reminded me how important it is for us to understand our users’ experiences.

I had many more meaningful conversations beyond these examples, each highlighting the incredible value of working closely with educators. They continuously help us understand and shape what we build.

This Year’s VEX Robotics Educators Conference Reminded Me Why We Teach

Jason McKenna, @Jason_McKenna

In a room full of seasoned educators and new voices alike, I had the privilege of delivering keynotes and hosting conversations, but it was a quiet email that brought it all home. A teacher wrote to tell me about his granddaughter, Ruby—quadriplegic, with cerebral palsy—who will spend her life in a wheelchair. He wrote that our conversation on accessibility moved him deeply, not just as a teacher, but as a grandfather searching for opportunities for a child he loves.

Moments like this are why we build. Why we code. Why we bring together passionate people who believe in more than just robots—they believe in agency, in opportunity, in access.

Ruby’s future—and the futures of all the students who don't fit into conventional molds—deserve to be imagined with dignity and designed with intention. The VEX team continues to push toward that vision: supporting educators, challenging assumptions, and creating a platform where every child, regardless of circumstance, can find their spark.

Let’s keep building that world.