Robotics Competition Grades 3-5
The 16-session plan
Research the Botball Explorer challenges and create a list of the top 5 challenges that will require a VEX IQ robot.
Watch videos of past Botball competitions and discuss the strategies used by successful teams, identifying key skills needed for the project.
Begin building a basic VEX IQ robot chassis that can support various attachments for the selected Botball Explorer challenges.
Test the basic chassis by programming it to move forward, backward, and turn, ensuring it can navigate a simple course.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this project a great fit for?+
BlueRobins projects are designed for curious students in Grades 3-12 who want to build. No prior experience is needed — mentors start wherever your child is and grow the challenge as they grow.
What does a typical session look like?+
Your child meets 1-on-1 with their mentor every week over Google Meet. Programs run 16 sessions of 45 minutes each. Sessions are hands-on from minute one — building, designing, coding, writing, experimenting — with the mentor coaching live, asking great questions, and unlocking the next step.
What will my child build by the end?+
A finished project they're proud of and can show the world. Across 16 sessions, your child turns an ambitious idea into a working app, prototype, research write-up, portfolio, or published artifact. Every student finishes with a completion certificate signed by their mentor.
Why a free trial first?+
So your child can meet their mentor, get a feel for the project, and leave the call excited. The trial is a complimentary 1-on-1 free trial session — no credit card needed. After the trial, you decide if it's the right fit. Most families know within the first 15 minutes.