Category Archives: Robotics Competitions

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

NATM20, Robotics Competitions

Volunteer/Sponsor Opportunities for Signature Event!

 

Night at the Museum (NATM) is a 2-day VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) Signature Event at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. It is a high level event that has been called “the toughest in the nation to win.” There are excellent sponsorship and volunteer opportunities for this event.

60+ high school teams from around the country will compete for top honors and one of three VEX World Championship qualifying spots! Teams qualify for this event by winning the Excellence, Design, or Robot Skills awards or as Tournament Champions in regional competitions. Click here for our NATM20 promo video

Sponsorship Opportunities
Through financial sponsorship, you make it possible for us to support the 500+ VEX teams in Virginia. Your support keeps our event partner and volunteer training free to all, reduces entry fees for signature events like NATM20, stocks 3 competition trailers for use throughout the region, and supports community teams that don’t have a local school or organization to host them. Companies often provide prizes with tournament awards and giveaways for each participant such as flash drives or power packs.

Sponsor levels for NATM20
$10K Signature Champion – not available
$5K Competition Advocate
$2.5K Skills Developer
$1K Giveaway Provider

To sponsor please contact Josh Labrie at (703) 530-2829 or jlabrie@nvcc.edu

Volunteering

The biggest volunteer needs for a successful event are Judges, Referees, Volunteers, and Field Resetters. No advance training is necessary (except for Referees). Volunteers receive meals, snacks, t-shirt and wristband. Training is on-site for most positions.

Click here to register to volunteer at NATM20 or contact Jose Algarin at (787) 466-6007 or jalgarin@nvcc.edu

Publicity, Robotics Competitions, STEM Events

Live-streaming of States 2019

Welcome to the live streaming of States19. Please use the links below to navigate to each livestream event for each division (HS VRC, MS VRC and VIQ). Each division will feature qualification matches (and elimination matches including round of 16 and quarter finals for VRC).

All the finals as well as the opening and award ceremonies will be livestreamed in a separate channel.

Friday March 1
12:00pm – 12:30pm Opening Ceremony
4:25pm – 5:15pm Finals and Award Ceremony (VIQ ES only)

Saturday March 2
9:00am – 9:40am Award Ceremony and VIQ MS Welcome
4:15pm – 5:00pm Finals (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)
5:15pm – 6:15pm Award Ceremony (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)

livestream.novastem.us/States19/ESVIQ

Friday March 1
12:00pm – 12:30pm Opening Ceremony
1:00pm – 4:10pm Qualification Matches
4:25pm – 5:15pm Finals and Award Ceremony

livestream.novastem.us/States19/MSVIQ

Saturday March 2
9:00am – 9:40am Award Ceremony and VIQ MS Welcome
11:30am – 12:15pm Qualification Matches
1:00pm – 3:30pm Qualification Matches
4:15pm – 5:00pm Finals (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)
5:15pm – 6:15pm Award Ceremony (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)

Friday March 1
12:00pm – 12:30pm Opening Ceremony
2:00pm – 4:20pm Qualification Matches
5:15pm – 6:15pm Qualification Matches

Saturday March 2
9:00am – 9:40am Award Ceremony and VIQ MS Welcome
10:00am – 12:00pm Qualification Matches
12:45pm – 2:00pm Qualification Matches
3:15pm – 4:00pm Elimination Matches (Round of 16 and Quarterfinals)
4:15pm – 5:00pm Finals (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)
5:15pm – 6:15pm Award Ceremony (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)

Friday March 1
12:00pm – 12:30pm Opening Ceremony
2:00pm – 4:20pm Qualification Matches
5:15pm – 6:15pm Qualification Matches

Saturday March 2
9:00am – 9:40am Award Ceremony and VIQ MS Welcome
10:00am – 12:00pm Qualification Matches
12:45pm – 2:00pm Qualification Matches
3:15pm – 4:00pm Elimination Matches (Round of 16 and Quarterfinals)
4:15pm – 5:00pm Finals (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)
5:15pm – 6:15pm Award Ceremony (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)

Robotics Competitions, Signature Event, Uncategorized

VEX Night At the Museum Venue Change

The venue’s changed, but the game remains the same!

We have officially changed the location of our Signature Event to the Dulles Expo Center.  We waited out the shutdown as long as we could in hopes that the National Air & Space Museum would open up, but had to finalize logistics by today. While it’s disappointing to lose the Air & Space Museum as the venue, we’re excited about the quality of competition that will no doubt be the highlight of our Signature Event!  

Here’s the new venue address:

Dulles Expo Center 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, CA 

We will be in the North Hall.  RobotEvents, our volunteer page, and social media will be updated today to reflect this change.

If you visit the event page, you’ll notice we updated the agenda slightly.  We pushed Friday times up a little so we will be ending a little earlier that night.  On Saturday, teams can not get into the building until 9 (previously 8 at the museum) so there are some changes to that day as well.  We’ve added the live stream information on the “Webcast” tab. Feel free to share that with those you know.  Teams must be checked in by noon on Friday.

As for other logistical information, there is no fee to park at the Expo Center so parking passes will no longer be needed.  If you remember from the previous update, you will be on your own for food.  There are many places, even within walking distance, of the Expo Center that will meet your needs.  If you have not uploaded consent forms, please do so as they are required to participate at the event.  The additional consent form sent previously is not required as it was specific to the museum.

We look forward to having you at the event next week!  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ryan Osweiler, Event Lead, at rosweiler@nvcc.edu