Reflections on the 2024 VEX Robotics Educators Conference
The recent VEX Robotics Educators Conference was more than just an event—it was a vibrant catalyst for professional learning and community building. This year, in addition to the panels and presentations, the conference introduced hands-on workshops, offering educators a unique, immersive experience with VEX robots. Teachers left inspired, armed with practical ideas to implement in their classrooms immediately. Additionally, personalized 1-on-1 sessions provided tailored support, helping educators address their specific needs and challenges. Together, these elements fostered a dynamic environment of growth, collaboration, and innovation.
“I know what I’m doing on Monday!”
One of my favorite things to hear in workshops is teachers excited about things they want to take back to their classrooms. When immersed in a learning experience that is engaging, fun, and hands-on, it has the power to open up our eyes and minds to inspiration and ideas that would not have had otherwise. Throughout the conference days, you could continually hear conversation, robots driving, and laughter as educators worked together on various challenges, competitions, and explorations in the workshops.
In classroom competition themed workshops, participants partnered up to play Team Freeze Tag with IQ, EXP, or V5. The excitement of tournament style game play was infectious, with educators fully embracing their role as students in the classroom. The Astronaut Rescue Competition with VEX GO saw some of the most creative, collaborative, and innovative rescue mechanisms I’ve ever seen designed. And the ‘awards ceremony’ to wrap up the workshop had educators cheering for one another in a heartwarming show of the joy of learning. Educators in the CTE workshops were some of the first in the world to get hands-on with the new VEX CTE Workcell. It was amazing to see the light bulbs going on for educators as they experienced first hand how the Cartesian Coordinate System comes to life with the 6-Axis Robotic Arm. Teachers were also incredibly excited to play and learn with Switch blocks in sessions about the blocks to text transition with VEXcode VR.
From rescuing a baby bunny with VEX 123 to learning how to do data logging activities with IQ, EXP, and V5 - there was a wealth of opportunities for teachers to see themselves and their students within the VEX Continuum. The partnership aspect of all of the workshop activities also gave participants an opportunity to connect with educators with a diverse range of experience, from many different schools and settings.
“This was so helpful!”
Another opportunity for meaningful connections is through the in person 1-on-1 Sessions that occur throughout the conference. During these moments, educators are able to ask questions and get personalized support for their particular setting, students, and situations through conversations with the VEX Education Team. For some educators just starting out with VEX, these sessions offered a guided tour of resources and curricular planning. For others, they were an opportunity to dive deeper into a particular platform or aspect of teaching with VEX.
There was one session in particular that stuck out to me, that I think exemplifies the value of a 1-on-1 conversation. I had the pleasure to meet with two teaching partners who were relatively new to teaching and coaching with VEX IQ. Their students are 7th-8th graders, who are coming into their school fresh out of a K-6 program. Their big concern was around notebooking, and how to help their students create better engineering notebooks. Through talking together, we realized that it was not necessarily the engineering notebook that was the challenge, but that note taking in general was difficult. Realizing that as incoming 7th graders, their students had not had very much (if any) experience with documentation or taking notes independently prior to joining their class. So we talked about ways to model what notetaking looks like, strategies to support students gaining independence with note taking, and even some ideas for how to turn this into part of the beginning of the year community building that takes place within classes and teams. The conversation is one that will stick with me long after the conference, and one that was much more powerful to have had in person than via text or from watching a video on engineering notebooks.
There is an opportunity within a 1-on-1 Session to recognize nuance, to forge a connection around a shared goal, and to help educators see a path forward in a way that is clear and makes sense to them, in their situation and that moment in time.
A Catalyst for Community
While many new connections are made at the conference, it also offers an opportunity to deepen existing relationships within the VEX professional learning community. This story from Alaina Haws captures this idea beautifully.
Back in January, I met a woman at FETC who wanted to add robotics to her classroom. We had a great conversation and stayed in touch briefly over email. I was pleasantly surprised to see her again at the VEX Robotics Educators Conference! She approached me and mentioned that she had purchased a PD+ license and introduced me to a colleague from her school who would also be working on the robotics program.
Throughout the conference, she attended various workshops and presentations, preparing for the next school year. Our initial connection from FETC and email grew stronger as we interacted more. She also had the opportunity to meet other teachers and robotics coaches with different levels of experience. These interactions were crucial in helping her feel more confident and excited about implementing robotics in her classroom.
Building this community of practice among educators is hands-down my favorite part of these conferences. There are so many opportunities now to continue those interactions inside of PD+ with 1-on-1 Sessions and the Community. The real magic happens in these connections, creating a supportive network that continues to grow long after the conference ends. Educators from different backgrounds come together, share their experiences, and learn from each other. Seeing these relationships develop and knowing they will continue to flourish is incredibly rewarding.
Connecting, growing, and learning together
Ultimately, the conference gives us all the ability to engage with PD+ live and in person. From presentations to networking events, 1-on-1 Sessions to classroom competitions, poster sessions to pit tours, the atmosphere is one of engagement, creativity, and joyful STEM learning. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and continuous improvement, and brings the Community to life, which helps educators in many ways, and ultimately benefits the students they teach even more. This year’s conference made me hopeful for the future, excited to continue to engage with people I had met and gotten to know at the conference, and eager to see what inspiration and impact comes from this experience!
Couldn’t make the conference in person this year? Don’t worry – you can check out the presentations (like this Keynote about DoD STEM initiatives) in the Video Library! Looking for a 1-on-1 conversation sooner than the next conference? Book a 1-on-1 Session in PD+ for a video chat!