Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy

Use educational affordances of robotics to create CS-STEM opportunities for all learners

Free VEX IQ Gen 1 and Gen 2 Curriculum and Activities

Coding and Computational Thinking with VEX IQ (Gen 2)
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This curriculum provides a structured sequence of programming activities in real-world project-based contexts. The projects are designed to get students thinking about the patterns and structure of not just robotics, but also programming and problem-solving more generally. This curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help learners foster Computational Thinking using the VEX VQ hardware and VEXcode IQ Blocks programming software. 

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Introduction to Programming with VEXcode IQ Blocks (IQ Gen 1)
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Introduction to Programming with VEXcode IQ Blocks is broken up into 6 different units. Within the units, students will engage with their robot and learn core concepts through step-by-step, media-driven instructional content, “Try It” remix activities, mini-challenges, “Check Your Understanding” questions, a culminating end-of-unit challenge to apply what they have learned, and an end-of-unit quiz. 

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Virtual Iris Rover Badge
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This badge is a sample activity from the full Coding and Computational Thinking with Virtual VICE Robot curriculum. In this activity, you will learn how to program the movement of a Virtual VICE robot from directly within your web browser while completing challenges themed after the real-world Iris Rover from Carnegie Mellon University. Students who learn to program the Virtual VICE robot will learn valuable skills that can be directly applied to their VEX robots.

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Introduction to Programming VEX IQ (IQ Gen 1, ROBOTC Graphical)
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The Introduction to Programming with VEX IQ (ROBOTC Graphical) Curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help beginners learn behavior-based programming using the VEX IQ hardware and ROBOTC 4.x for VEX Robotics. All lessons are self-contained, require a minimum of instructor supervision, and include many built-in opportunities to self-assess progress.

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Hour of Code Activities
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The Hour of Code is a global initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is proud to support learners participating in the Hour of Code through a variety of free activities, all hosted through our CS-STEM Network

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ROBOTC Intermediate Programming for VEX IQ (IQ Gen 1, ROBOTC Text)
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The ROBOTC Intermediate Programming for VEX IQ Curriculum is a curriculum module designed to teach core computer programming logic and reasoning skills using a robotics context. The curriculum consists of two basic chapters (Motion and Sensing) and three Challenge Chapters (Pipeline Explorer, Barcode Scanner, and Automated Car Park) Each chapter is broken into units that teach key robotics and programming concepts.

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Virtual Robot Curriculum and Activities

Coding and Computational Thinking with a Virtual VICE Robot
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Coding and Computational Thinking with a Virtual VICE Robot features a programming interface and virtual robot embedded directly within the curriculum. Over 75 programmable virtual environments are embedded throughout, allowing students to learn big ideas in robotics, coding, computational thinking, and mathematics. The virtual robot itself contains simulated versions of the programmable motors, sensors, and other components. Students who learn to program the Virtual VICE robot will learn valuable skills that can be directly applied to their VEX robots.

More Information >  Access Preview on the CS-STEM Network >

VEX IQ Gen 1 and Gen 2 Teacher Training

Certified Onsite Teacher Training for VEX IQ
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Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy's Onsite Training courses immerse educators in the world of robotics and CS-STEM education. Our program supports educators through hands-on training. Onsite training is conducted at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) in Pittsburgh, PA. 

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Certified Online Teacher Training for VEX IQ
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Enjoy the convenience of taking Robotics Academy courses from anywhere in the world. Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy's Online Training courses feature an interactive class where participants log in for live instruction and Q&A, and then complete some activities from the curricula and other requirements as independent study. 

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Certifications for VEX IQ Gen 1 and Gen 2

Coding and Computational Thinking with VEX IQ - Teacher Certification
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At the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, we leverage a "train-the-trainer" model to enable our curriculum, certifications, and microcertifications to make a large impact while helping to guarantee that implementations are positive and effective for learners. Educators who have been trained and certified by the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy are able to offer certification opportunities for their students. Teacher certifications list 36 professional development hours and may be used as evidence for continuing education credits. 

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Coding and Computational Thinking with VEX IQ - Student Certification
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Certifications and microcertifications are not comprised of a knowledge exam alone. As learners progress through the curriculum, they earn badges and upload computational artifacts (evidence such as coding solutions, pseudocode, photos of robot builds, wiring diagrams, etc.) that reflect their understanding.

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Introduction to Programming with VEX IQ - Teacher Certification
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Introduction to Programming with VEX IQ - Student Certification
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VEX IQ Gen 1 and Gen 2 Build Instructions

Attaching and Configuring the VEX IQ Bumper Switch
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Attaching and Configuring the VEX IQ Touch LED
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Attaching and Configuring the VEX IQ Distance Sensor
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Attaching and Configuring the VEX IQ Optical Sensor
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Modified MiniVEX Build
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Supplementary VEX IQ Gen 1 and Gen 2 Materials

Coding and Computational Thinking with VEX IQ - Standards Alignment
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Sense, Plan, Act Printout
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Behavior Based Programming Printout
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Pseudocode and Flowcharts Printout
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Technical Sketching Printout
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VEX IQ Iterative Pseudocoding Table
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Program Planning Printout
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Sequential Movements Printable Mat
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Turning Around Craters Printable Mat
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