GRCS Robotics
Grand Rapids Christian Schools Robotics program includes two main levels of robotics: VEX (VRC) and VEX (IQ).
VEX (VRC)
VEX (VRC) is for high school (grades 9-12) and middle school students (grades 7-8). VEX Challenge (IQ) is for 5-6 grades.
VEX Competition Robotics (VRC) is a competitive robotics program for students in grades 7-12 (at GRCS).
Students work in small groups to design, build, and program a robot to perform tasks to score points on a game field.
VEX is student-focused meaning students do the work, not coaches. It develops skills such as creativity, teamwork, leadership, grit, and problem solving that are needed to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society.
Students in grades 7-8 will practice about twice a week in the evenings from September through December. Some students may be invited to continue through until early March.
The high school level is a bit more intense and students may practice up to six times a week, on afternoons and evenings. The high school season typically continues until late February with the potential of competing at the World Competition in late April.
Contact a coach to find out more.
VEX (IQ)
VEX IQ Challenge (IQ)is an introductory robotics program for students in grades 5-6 (at GRCS). Students work in small groups to design, build, and program a robot to perform tasks to score points on a game field. VEX IQ uses snap-in-place pieces for quick prototyping and testing. IQ is student-focused but requires much more supervision and family involvement.
STEM-Focused
GRCS Robotics is a program within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our robotics program taps all four major elements of STEM
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GRCS VEX Robotics features focused fundamentals of scientific methods and practices, such as the scientific method, observation, experimentation, data collection and analysis. It also allows for investigations of applied physics and mechanical concepts, systems thinking, and considerations of artificial intelligence.
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Students in GRCS VEX Robotics build, code, and manipulate their own technological designs to apply innovative ideas that improve existing processes. The students' robotic inventions are real examples of technology implementation. It inspires our students to think about technological needs of society with robotics now and in the future.
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Students in the GRCS VEX Robotics program learn to work within constraints, identify multiple solutions to problems, and find the best possible solution through iteration. Using decision matrix approaches, students hone valuable skills with problem-solving, troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation. Many of our students move on to university engineering.
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GRCS VEX Robotics combines built technologies with mathematics, challenging students to consider aspects of measurement, arithmetic, statistics, and programing algorithms to connect with mathematics by applying their skills to a real-world setting. Students gain valuable experiences with math that coaches hope will lead to appreciation of the value of mathematics in their daily lives.