Category Archives: Community STEM Teams

Community STEM Teams, Robotics, VEX Robotics

VEX Robotics Community Teams Are Back!

This fall our VEX Community teams are back and competing for the 2022/23 VEX Robotics season. These teams are for elementary, middle and high school students in Manassas and Loudoun who do not have a robotics team or program at their school. Registration is now open and due by October 15th for the 2022-2023 school year. Teams will start meeting the week of September 26th at both locations.

We’ll be using the VEX IQ Challenge (VIQC) and VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) platforms. VEX IQ is a platform that consists of robots assembled from plastic snap-together parts and consist of 2-3 members. The programming used is Graphical or Text-based. VRC robots are metal and put together with metal screws and advanced parts and consist of 3-5 members. The programming is Text-based.

Our goal with these teams is to introduce kids to STEM and instill in them a quality robotics foundation. On a robotics team, participants learn the design process as well as gaining problem solving and teamwork skills. It’s an excellent gateway into STEM and also teaches the soft skills needed to excel in higher Ed or a professional environment.

Sign up now at vexcommunityteam.novastem.us/register

 

Community STEM Teams, Fabrication, Mentoring, Robotics, Robotics Competitions, STEM Education, Student to Workforce, Teacher Professional Development, Tech Equity, Women in STEM

STEM Camp Student to Instructor Spotlight: LisBeth Valladares Hernandez

STEM Camp Student to STEM Camp Instructor

Lisbeth G. Valladares Hernandez has been around NOVA and STEM for a long time. She was a STEM Camp student and now excels as a STEM Camp instructor. We asked her a few questions about her experience.

1. How were you first inspired in STEM? 

My journey in STEM began in 8th grade, when I decided to participate in The Micron Challenge: Rube Goldberg Machine. At the time I was the only student in my middle school that showed any interest, after listening to the announcement over the schools intercom. Thankfully I had two teachers that were willing to stay after school with me, my wood technology teacher and my science teacher. As I learned the many ways simple machine can be used in day-to-day challenges. It all became a game of intentionality and purpose. 

2. What did it take for you to get where you are? 

Once I started high school I knew I wanted to continue exploring more of what STEM consisted of. I once again convinced two teachers to help me out and bring SeaPerch Underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) to my high school and for them to be my robotics club sponsor. I went out scouting my high school and personally invited people from diverse groups of friends to join underwater robotics with me. 

3. Describe your experience as a minority woman in STEM.

Being in STEM as a minority women has not been easy, specially because a lot of this is unknown territory for my parents. They have simply trusted in me, that my passions are rooted in knowledge seeking and educational growth. As a first generation student I have had to go out and find resources and financial assistance to be able to participate in STEM activities. My parents have supported me through it all, they have sacrificed so much for me.

Being a women in STEM has been hard because I have been in positions where my voice is the only female voice in the room at times. It takes a special kind of courage to pave the way, and I am proud of myself for having done so for other Latinas that follow. 

I also have to thank Zuzana Steen from Micron and Aleksander Marthinussen from NOVA SySTEMic. Although I only saw them in the judges chair, they always affirmed me to continue my academic career in STEM.

Without people like them or my teacher my STEM journey would not have lasted this long. 

4. What you want to pass on as an instructor and where you want to go in your career?

The reason I was inspired to become an educator is because of all of those teachers along my STEM journey that sacrificed their time after school to sit with me and even if they didn’t fully understand what I was doing. I want to be that teacher for others and pay back my community. 

5. How has NOVA and NOVA SySTEMic equipped you in your career path?

Having been a dual enrolled student with NOVA lead me to NOVA SySTEMic, after working on the engineering challenge during the semester, I was handed a poster and guided to check out the summer camp and apply for the internship positions. 

Since then I have had the wonderful opportunity to participate as an assistant instructor in summer camp, assist in Expo events, create STEM in-class curriculum, develop and present teacher professional development, and lead as Head Coach for the NOVA VEX IQ Community Teams, winning 2nd place at the VEX Robotics State Championship and qualifying for the World Championship this year! 

I am excited to see what my STEM Journey has in store for me. All of this would not be possible without NOVA SySTEMic and its amazing opportunities for someone like me. 

Community STEM Teams, Fab Lab, NOVA Fab Lab, Robotics, Robotics Competitions, STEM Education

VEX Community Teams and Friday Night Robotics

VEX Community Teams (VRC & VEXIQ)
Registration Closes Oct 15 http://vexcommunityteam.novastem.us/register

VRC (VEX Robotics Competition) Teams
Participants will build MOBY, a VRC robot to compete in the VRC game Tipping Point. Students will learn how to compete in the VRC yearly competition, make an engineering notebook to document team decisions on robot design, develop a game strategy and create an autonomous program to play the game. This session is perfect for students who want to compete in robotics.

After students learn the game, develop a game strategy, and have a solid foundation of engineering and programming, they will be allowed to make advanced modifications to their robot as well as explore more advanced programming features to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their robot on the field.

In addition to the weekly meetings there are Friday Night Robotics in the Fab Lab (every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month) where it is open to any teams to come build, program and scrimmage. This is optional for the community teams but encouraged.

There will be opportunities to compete in robotics competitions as well and teams can register for an additional fee to participate.

Oct 5 through Dec 14, 2021 on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm at the NOVA Manassas Trailside Building.

Grade Level: 6th to 10th

Registration Fee $349 ($50 discount when you register 2 people)
http://vexcommunityteam.novastem.us/register

VEX IQ (VIQC) Teams
Participants will continue building FLING, a VIQC robot to compete in the VIQC game Pitching In. Students will learn how to compete in the yearly challenge, make an engineering notebook to document team decisions on robot design, develop a game strategy and create an autonomous program to play the game. This session is perfect for students who want to compete in robotics.

After students learn the game, develop a game strategy, and have a solid foundation of engineering and programming, they will be allowed to make advanced modifications to their robot as well as explore more advanced programming features to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their robot on the field.

In addition to the weekly meetings there are Friday Night Robotics in the Fab Lab (every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month) where it is open to any teams to come build, program and scrimmage. This is optional for the community teams but encouraged.

There will be opportunities to compete in robotics competitions as well and teams can register for an additional fee to participate.

Oct 7 through Dec 16, 2021 on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm at the NOVA Manassas Trailside Building.

Grade Level: 4th to 8th

Registration Fee $349 ($50 discount when you register 2 people)
http://vexcommunityteam.novastem.us/register

Friday Night Robotics at the NOVA Fab Lab

The NOVA Fab Lab is open on Friday nights for VEX teams to scrimmage and work on their robots throughout the year.

The 1st and 3rd Friday’s of the month are designated for VEX IQ Challenge (VIQC) teams and the 2nd and 4th Friday’s for VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) teams.  A game field will be available along with space for teams to work.

Sessions will start on Sept 17 from 5 to 10 pm and continue until the Virginia State VEX Championship in March 2021.

A one-time registration fee of $10 per participant is required for this recurring event at fablab.novastem.us/FridayNightRobotics (NOTE: Parental consent is required in the registration process as each participant needs to register – coaches cannot sign-up their entire team in one registration).

#WeDoSTEM

Community STEM Teams, Robotics, Virtual Events

Sign Up for Virtual Community Robotics Teams!

 

VEX Community Teams

We now have open registration for our virtual VEX Community Robotics Teams Fall session, which will run from October 5 until December 9. The Fall session is for continuing students as well as new students, who will learn teamwork, problem solving, and creative technical skills while using the VEX Robotics platform. Students will build a standard robot that could be used to compete during the 2020-21 VEX Robotics Season. They will learn more about the modifications and design of the robot. Discussion on this year’s game strategy and preparations for possible competitions will be presented as well.

This virtual session will be a hybrid session in which each student will check out and borrow a robotics kit to work with, but all the instruction will be offered virtually in 90 minute blocks twice a week. Kits will need to be picked up at our NOVA Manassas campus (Manassas Battleview Technology Center – MBV) using proper social distancing measurements. Kits will be returned at the end of the session.

Registration here: vexcommunityteam.novastem.us/register

VRC will run from Oct 5 to Dec 9
VEX IQ from Oct 6 to Dec 10. Cost is $249 per student.

Community STEM Teams, IET Newsletter

Sign Up for Community Robotics Teams!

There is still time to register for Community Robotics Teams for middle and high school students in Manassas, Alexandria, & Loudoun who don’t have a robotics team or program at their school. Registration is due September 13th for the 2019-2020 school year.

We’ll be using the VEX IQ (for beginners) and VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) platforms. VEX IQ is platform that consists of robots assembled from plastic snap-together parts. The programming used is Graphical or Text-based. VRC robots are metal and put together with metal screws and advanced parts. The programming is Text-based.

Our goal with these teams is to introduce kids to STEM and instill in them a quality robotics foundation. On a robotics team, participants learn the design process as well as gaining problem solving and teamwork skills. It’s an excellent gateway into STEM and also teaches the soft skills needed to excel in higher Ed or a professional environment.

To register for Community Robotics Teams, click here

For more info go to www.nvcc.edu/systemic/competitions.html and click under the Community Robotics Teams Tab

Community STEM Teams, IET Newsletter

Community Robotics Teams

Does your child want to be on a robotics team? We’re gearing up for our second season of Community VEX Robotics teams in Manassas, Alexandria, & Loudoun for middle and high school students who don’t have a robotics team or program at their school.

We’ll be using the VEX IQ (for beginners) and VEX Robotics Competition platforms during the 2019-2020 school year. Parent/student interest meetings are scheduled August 13 in Manassas, August 14 in Alexandria, and August 15 in Loudoun.

Sign up at survey.novastem.us/VEXCommunityTeam

Community STEM Teams

Registration Open for Community Robotics Teams!

Looking for a robotics team for your 4th-8th grade child and their school doesn’t have one? We’re establishing community-based VEX IQ teams for the 2018-2019 school year in Manassas, Alexandria, and Loudoun! These new teams will compete in the VEX IQ Challenge: Next Level.

Click here to register! Weekly meetings will be on Tuesday or Thursday evenings from 6-8:30pm (and about one Saturday per month). You can register for the location and day of the week that fits you best. For more information, contact NOVA SySTEMic Robotics Lead Ryan Osweiler at rosweiler@nvcc.edu