Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Inspiring students, one robot at a time.

VRC Middle School - VR Challenge (Extended to March 1)

Robots have long had a role in industrial and commercial applications. A key feature of their use is that they can be programmed to follow exact instructions using sensors  to make decisions and correct for errors. Virtual Skills lets students practice coding and test strategies using robots and sensors in a virtual environment. Students gain skills in coding autonomous robots that can be applied to coding their real IQ robot.  

In this online challenge, you will explain and demonstrate your team’s VR Skills program, and describe how using VR Skills has improved your team's coding skills.

Extended to March 1

 

Grade Level Requirements
Elementary School Middle School High School College / University No Grade Level Restrictions
Program Requirements
VEX V5 Robotics Competition

Prizes

1st: $500 VEX Robotics gift certificate and automatic team qualification for this season's VEX Robotics World Championship

4 Finalists: $100 VEX Robotics gift certificate

Finalists and winners will be selected at each of the following programs and grade ranges, for a total of four (4) prize packages:

  • VEX IQ Elementary School

  • VEX IQ Middle School

  • VRC Middle School

  • VRC High School

Eligibility

Teams must be part of a registered VRC team for the current season.

  • This page is for VRC Middle School entries only -if you are any other program or grade level, please refer to the Online Challenge Page to find the correct page for your program and grade level.

  • Only one entry per team is permitted. However, each team in a multi-team school or club program may submit one entry. For example, teams 123A and 123B could each submit an entry, but team 123A could not submit two entries. Entries must vary in content and presentation to be considered separate entries. 

Requirements

Rules of the Challenge:

To be eligible, teams must:

1. Compete in VR Skills and have your score post to the Virtual Skills Standing Leaderboard

2. Submit a PDF of your code with annotated comments useful to an outside viewer

3. Submit a 3 minute video explaining your code and how VR skills improved your coding skills

4. Compete at a VEX Robotics Competition in the 2022 -2023 season with a physical robot

Things to keep in mind for a successful submission:

  • The effective use of sensors should be explained as well as any functions within your code
  • Creative and innovative uses of programming or sensors is encouraged
  • The point score earned during your Programming Skills run is not a factor in your submission- a high quality entry may not necessarily have a high score, but effectively explains and documents how the code and sensors are utilized for an autonomous program that is effective.

Technical Details

A submission must meet these minimum requirements in order to be judged.

  1. Video and PDF are created and produced solely by student team members. It is acceptable for adults to assist with downloading any necessary resources or submitting the story where students may need permission.

  2. Format: 

    • One link to a video file posted on YouTube, SchoolTube, Youku, or equivalent video-streaming platform. Links to Google Drive, Dropbox, or other storage locations are not acceptable.

    • One PDF file (up to 20MB).

  3. Size:

    • Video: up to 3 minutes, including title, credits, and any other content.

    • PDF: Copy of Code with annoated comments

  4. Credits:  Each video and PDF must include a title page that includes the following:

    • Title of submission

    • Names of students who participated (using first names only is acceptable)

    • Team number

    • Location of team

  5. Music used must be in the public domain.

Upload Instructions

Video Upload Instructions

  • Click the green Enter Challenge button on the right side of the screen.
  • Fill out the submission form and type a brief description of your challenge entry in the Full Description box.

  • Click Save.

  • Click the blue Links/Videos button in the upper right of the screen.

  • Enter the URL, title, and description of your video.

  • Click Add Link.

  • Click the blue All Entries button to confirm that your submission is visible.

PDF Upload Instructions

  • Click the green Enter Challenge button on the right side of the screen.
  • Fill out the submission form and type a brief description of your challenge entry in the Full Description box.

  • Click Save.

  • Click the blue Files/Images button in the upper right of the screen.

  • Drag/drop your PDF file into the Upload a File box.

  • Edit the Display Name and file information to include your entry name and team number.

  • Save your edits and click Update on the entry screen.

Judging Information

The judges will evaluate and score each entry as follows:

Up to 30 points for a clear video explanation of your program (including video, narration, pictures, animation, and text) of your program

Up to 20 points for a clear program that is annotated with comments useful to an outside viewer

Up to 10 points for formatting code in an organized manner

Up to 10 points for a explanation of how the use of VR Skills improved your coding skills

Up to 5 points for using variables instead of coding hard numbers

Up to 5 points for using advanced programming structures such as conditional logic

 

Deadline Information

Current time:
Thu, Dec 12, 2024 8:55 PM CST

Opens:

Mon, Dec 5, 2022 12:00 PM CST

Closes:

Wed, Mar 1, 2023 2:00 PM CST