Colorado's 974Z and 974X Win at Nationals and World Championship

Congratulation to To Team 974Z on winning Tournament Championship at the 2016 Nationals in Omaha, NE and Team 974X Cyberbrains for placing third overall at the 2016 VEX World Championship in Louisville, KY!  Read all about it here.

A big thanks to the Thompson School District. Both of these teams used the shared VEX field you allowed us to put in your Admin building. Thanks also to Gene and Mary for making the access work.

Photos and Awards 2016 VEX and VEX IQ Colorado Championship

Photos

Congratulations to all the teams. Photos from the Colorado Championship are here.

Awards - VEX Robotics (Middle & High School)
High School Excellence Award - Team 9019A  Atomic Wolf Pack
Middle School Excellence Award - Team 3946R Sun Devils
Tournament Champion - Team 3946E  Sun Devils
Tournament Champion - Team 974X  Cyberbrains
Tournament Finalist - Team 1826  The Fuse
Tournament Finalist - Team 9019A - Atomic Wolf Pack
High School Robot Skills Champion - Team 3946E Sun Devils
Middle School Robot Skills Champion - Team 6047D With the Shot Boi
High School Programming Skills Champion - Team 974X Cyberbrains
Middle School Programming Skills Champion - 6047D With the Shot Boi
High School Design Award - Team 1826 The Fuse
Middle School Design Award - Team 6709A Red Hot Robotics
Judges Award - Team 974X Cyberbrains
Volunteers/Mentors of the Year: Justin Selbert, Xander Pickard, Zach Olkin

Awards - VEX IQ Robotics (Elementary & Middle School)
Elementary School Excellence Award - Team 1042D Flying Hamburgers
Middle School Excellence Award - Team 1069H Mainframe Meltdown
Teamwork Champion - Team 314 Rocky Mountain Pirates
Teamwork Champion - Team 974X  Chazak
Teamwork 2nd Place - Team 1069G Gravity
Programming Skills Champion - Team 314 Rocky Mountain Pirates
Robot Skills Champion - Team 974X Chazak
Design Award - Team 2005 Magneto
STEM Research Project Award - Team 314A Rocky Mountain Pirates
Judges Award - Team 7900C Turbo Bots

Action Works Path Forward

In our plan for the non-profit we see the following key enablers to meet students’ needs.

Space
We have been fortunate to have varying amounts of donated space for students to work on robotics for the last several years. While we don’t always have heated space or may have limited access, we are very thankful because, without it, the equipment sits in a trailer between competitions.  But being hobos has limited student participation and access and is physically wearing on volunteers due to constantly moving equipment. The quickest way we can expand capacity and serve more students would be to find affordable space.

Read more: Action Works Path Forward

Quotes of Note

“When you look at predictions, they’re saying in 25 years, 75 percent of new jobs will be STEM-related,” said Regina Renaldi, assistant superintendent of priority programs, SVVSD. “You don’t have to tell (students) what (they’re) going to be, but if we at least expose them to those kinds of future job opportunities, we’re helping kids to be ready for their futures.
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"U.S. millennials, ages 16 to 34, scored at or near the bottom in an OECD international test of adult work skills."

"The study called into question America’s educational credentialing system. While few American test-takers lacked a high school degree, the United States didn’t perform any better than countries with relatively high rates of failing to finish high school. And our college graduates didn’t perform well, either."

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How to start a VEX or VEX IQ team

First a few things... To coach a VEX VRC or VEX IQ team you don't need to be technical... The kids will figure out how to build and how to program.  Remember the robot is the kids work so let them own it and drive all the improvements.

You need to decide what type of team you will be forming: VEX IQ is elementary / middle school (8-14) and VRC is a middle school / high school program (11-18).

If you are a middle school team and can't decide here are some of the differences:

Read more: How to start a VEX or VEX IQ team

How we do what we do ...

Action Works is a 501(c)(3) Educational non-profit.  We are able to do what we do thanks to hundreds of great volunteers and donations. Our funding comes from individuals that designate their United Way donations to Action Works, direct donations, fees for events, and great companies such as Woodward Inc. and Otter Box (Otter Cares).  In addition to classes and robotics competitions we are hard at work on Youth Maker opportunities, interactive exhibits, maker spaces for adults and kids, and Maker Faires.  Be a part of the fun through volunteering (www.action-works.org/volunteer) and/or tax-deductible financial support. We take donations at this weblink via PayPal.

Thank-you

Sponsorship infomation for STEM programs

Sponsors are one of our most important stakeholders.  We could not do the work we do without their support.  There are several ways that companies and individuals support our programs.

• Donated space -We are seeking funding for or donation of a physical location and equipment to create, test, and refine a repeatable model for students and adults to learn and explore technology with the experienced mentoring novices.

• Financial support - many companies have chosen this path to help the program.  Our commitment is that 100% of the funds go to support these programs.  We are all volunteer driven and as such have no overhead expenses to these programs.

• Volunteer support - a great example of this is the program with GE Energy.  They supported purchasing the materials for the FIRST^® LEGO League tables and then supplied the volunteers to build the tables.  Other companies have donated volunteers and have won the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for their service to these programs. Woodward earned this award in 2010 and 2011.

• Donated equipment support - these technology rich programs need computers and equipment to continue to grow and prosper.  Donations of used computer equipment from companies such as Woodward is a vital part of our program

Big Thanks To...