Chapter 1: Getting Ready
Introduction
This Chapter provides a guided exploration of the suite of VEX resources available to educators, like the STEM Labs and the VEX Robotics Library. Then, it guides a build of the first robot - the VEX V5 Speedbot.
Taking personalized notes in a notebook or word processor is recommended. Notes can help in completing the Chapter and Certification Exams, and they can be a valuable reference when later implementing a VEX Robotics learning environment. However, the submission of notes is not required for certification.
Upon completion of the final Certification Exam, you will gain access to the V5 category of the PD+ Community. Here, you can read, respond, and post to extend your learning and engage in conversation and professional development with other VEX educators and experts around the world.
A charged V5 Robot Battery is needed for the current and subsequent Chapters. Click here for details about the charging process and then return to this page.
Begin by downloading VEXcode V5 for your platform at this link.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the value of educational robotics in various educational settings.
- Identify how to install VEXcode V5.
- Identify what firmware is and how to update the robot's firmware.
- Identify the benefits of a block-based programming paradigm for students of all programming levels.
- Define the SPARK format of the STEM Labs and the primary use of each section.
- Identify the categories and types of articles in the VEX Library.
- Execute the V5 Speedbot according to the instructions in the STEM Lab.
- Identify the flexibility of STEM Labs and how they can be used in many different educational settings, both formal and informal.
Required Materials
Make sure to have all of this prepared before beginning the V5 Educator Certification Course:
- You will need a V5 Classroom Starter Kit or a V5 Classroom Super Kit to complete this course. If you have not yet purchased a V5 Kit, please go to this link to do so.
- You’ll be using the kit to create a V5 Speedbot and Clawbot builds. Chapter 1 will guide you through building a V5 Speedbot. If you have a V5 Clawbot already built, that is okay. You can use the V5 Clawbot to complete the Chapters requiring the Speedbot.
- Review this VEX Library article that walks you through the steps to get started with your kit. This article includes the following information that will help you prepare for this course:
- Links to complete parts lists for each type of VEX V5 Kit.
- Steps for charging your V5 Robot Battery.
- Preparing the USB Cable to download projects to the robot.
- You will need to have VEXcode V5 downloaded as part of Chapter 1.
- Watch this video to learn more about VEXcode V5 and read this article to learn about the Context Menu.
- Review the steps for Installing VEXcode V5 for your device in the relevant link below to ensure a successful installation for Chapter 1. You can download it now if you choose.
- You will need to make sure that the V5 Brain firmware is up-to-date in Chapter 1.
- Read this article about how to know whether the brain is properly connected to VEXcode V5 and whether the brain’s firmware is up-to-date.
- If it is not up-to-date, follow the steps in this article to update your V5 Brain firmware now.