Robotics Teams

Girl Scouts, from Daisies to Ambassadors, can now register for a Robotics Team. Troop Leaders or Parent Volunteers are the coaches who help guide girls through their season challenges.

There are different Robotics Teams for each grade level:

First Lego League Explore (FLL Explore) — Daisies & Brownies
VEX IQ Challenge (VIQC) — Juniors & Cadettes
VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) — 8th-grade Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors

FIRST Lego League (FLL) Explore Robotics Teams

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) aims to inspire girls to become science and technology leaders. This volunteer-led program is designed to inspire innovation, cultivate interest in STEM fields, and foster life skills (such as self-confidence, verbal communication, STEM competence, and team building).

GSNETX supports teams led by adult volunteer coaches and mentors, who work together to design, build, and program a robot to do various tasks. Teams explore a topic based on the challenge and then they present their research about innovative solutions. FLL Explore Teams earn awards through regional festivals.

Through their robotics team, Girl Scouts will learn valuable life and employment skills through ideation, solving problems, and overcoming obstacles. By persevering through challenges, girls will
find solutions to STEM problems and gain confidence in their abilities.

FLL Explore is for:

Daisies and Brownies, or Girl Scouts enrolled in grades 1-3
4 to 6 girls on a team
2 coaches and 1 volunteer required
Coaches meeting in September
Practice session in Dec./Jan.
Expo in late May
Season: Avg. mid-May

Resources

First Lego League (FLL)
FLL Explore Website
FLL Explore Team Basics
FLL Explore Program Overview (Video)

Additional Season Resources
Resource Library
Download WeDo 2.0 Software
Free WeDo 2.0 Curriculum and Examples
FLL YouTube channel with walk-through
Season Resources (scroll about halfway down page)
Event Search – Additional Expos

VEX IQ Competition (VIQC) Robotics Teams

REC (Robotics Education & Competition Foundation) aims for a future where all students design and innovate as part of a team, experience failure, persevere and embrace STEM. Through the VEX IQ Challenge, volunteer-led teams will work throughout the season to design, build and program a robot to complete the goal of the current season.

The season culminates in a local competition where teams will work together to earn the most points and win the title of Best Overall Alliance. Teams have the ability, based on local and regional scores, to progress onto the VEX World’s Competition where they could compete with other robotics teams on a global stage!

GSNETX helps VEX IQ Challenge Teams get up and going. Teams,
led by adult volunteer coaches and mentors, provide support and guidance as Girl Scouts navigate through the various challenges of the season. During the competition, they will present both their successes as well as how they overcame challenges to create their final product.

VEX IQC is for:

Juniors and Cadettes grades 4-8, or Girl Scouts ages 10-13
4 to 8 girls on a team
2 coaches, and 2 volunteers required
Coach meeting in August
Practice sessions in Dec./Jan.
Tournaments in late January/early February

VEX IQ Resources
VEX IQ Challenge Website (Game Video, Game Manual)

Additional Season Resources
VEX IQ Competitive Team Resources
Free Robot Designs and Build Instructions
Free VEX IQ Curriculum (STEM Labs)
Free VEX IQ Software Options
Download RobotC *Optional (For those who wish to learn and practice C-programming languages)

VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) Robotics Teams

REC (Robotics Education & Competition Foundation) strives towards a future where all students design and innovate as part of a team, experience failure, persevere and embrace STEM. Through the VEX Robotics Competition, volunteer-led teams will meet and work at the STEM Center of Excellence to design, build and program a bot for competition.

This season combines teamwork and competition. Two alliances will compete in matches that include both autonomous and driver-controlled periods. Teams must communicate and highlight their own skills to succeed in this challenge. Teams have the ability, based on local and regional scores, to progress onto the VEX World’s Competition where they could compete with other robotics teams on a global stage!

GSNETX helps VEX Robotics Competition Teams get up and going. Teams, led by adult volunteer coaches and mentors, provide support and guidance as Girl Scouts navigate through the various challenges of the season. During the competition, they will present both their successes as well as how they overcame challenges to create their final product.

VRC is for:

8th-grade Cadettes if prepared, Seniors and Ambassadors, or Girl Scouts ages 13-18
Meet and work at The STEM Center of Excellence
Tournaments running December through January
Multiple meetings a week
Coaches, volunteers, and mentors requested

VRC Resources
VRC Challenge Website: Current Game, Game Video, and Game Manual

Additional Season Resources
VRC Team Resources
Free Robot Designs and Build Instructions
Free VRC Curriculum (VEX V5 STEM Labs)
Free VRC Software Options (VEXcode V5)

How to Register Your Troop as a Team

Coaches will register their teams through gsEvents. Each team member will need to be registered individually.

Teams will need to register all adult and girl participants and will use The STEM Center of Excellence zip code (75236) when searching for events.

Teams will also need to complete this form to ensure all communications are sent to the appropriate contact.

Robot Program—Cost Per Girl
First Lego League Explore (FLL Explore): $50
VEX IQ Challenge (VIQC): $60
VEX Robotics Competition (VRC): $85

Registration through GSNETX will provide the following:

Funding for team’s season registration fee
Curriculum materials for each team
Robot kit rental and field when applicable (to be returned at end of the season)
Coaches Training Meeting
- FLL Training: Mid-September
- VIQC Training: Late September
- VRC Training: Contact stem@gsnetx.org for scheduling
Registration fee to one Festival or Tournament:
- To take place at the STEM Center of Excellence or other local venues.

Learn important information about how to start a robotics team here.

Coaches Training Dates
(Email Maree Pascall directly AFTER you have paid registration for your girls, to sign up for a training date.)

VEX IQ: Aug. 21, 2021:

Returning Coaches Training: For returning coaches who understand the kits and how to utilize them. Time: 10am - 12pm.
NEW Coaches Training: For those who have never taught a robotics team, or would like a refresher of the basics. Time: 1:30pm - 5:30pm.

FIRST Lego League Explore: Sept. 11, 2021

Returning Coaches Training: For returning coaches who understand the kits and how to utilize them. Time: 10am - 12pm.
NEW Coaches Training: For those who have never taught a robotics team, or would like a refresher of the basics. Time: 1:30am - 3:30pm.

Questions? Contact:

Maree Pascall
Robotics and Engineering Coordinator
mpascall@gsnetx.org
stem@gsnetx.org
(469) 899-8865