TCEA Robotics

1 Sponsor: May depend on the number of teams. Each sponsor must be a TCEA member. Each team needs one sponsor, but a sponsor may lead more than one team.

4 Contest Divisions: Advanced Arena, Advanced Inventions, Intermediate Arena, Intermediate Inventions

3 Teams per division, per campus (2-4 students per team)

What equipment and associated fees are needed for each team?

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT/FEES FOR EACH TEAM:

LEGO Education SPIKE Prime

1 SPIKE Prime Core Set $339.95 – The software, included, is Windows 10, Mac, Chrome, iOS, and Android compatible.
1 SPIKE Prime Expansion Set $109.95 (helpful but not necessary)

LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor

1 Robot Inventor Set $359.95 – The app, included, is Windows 10, Mac, Fire, iOS, and Android compatible.

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 (Retired – Not available for purchase)

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT (Allowed in inventions only. Retired – Not available for purchase)

VEX IQ

1 VEQ IQ Super Kit $379.00 – The software, included, is Windows 10, Mac, Chrome, iOS, and Android compatible.
1 VEQ IQ Competition Add-on Kit $114.99 (helpful but not necessary)

Additional Items for Arena Teams

1 Race Against Time Mat $70.00
Game Pieces Kit $12.00 – vary each year (Past examples: cotton balls, LEGO bricks, straws, PVC couplers, and checkers)
Arena Contest Frame – The playing field used in the arena competition is an 4-by-8-foot wooden frame designed to keep the robots from leaving the field of play. Step-by-step building instructions are included in the Arena Challenge documentation. In talking with many sponsors, these are the tips you might take heed of if you plan on building a practice frame: Build a half frame (4’x4’), which is much easier to store and transport. Buy more than the suggested 50 #10 wood screws.
1 Contest Registration fee $50.00 (plus $70 for State if advancing)

Where can I get more information, find training opportunities, and connect with other sponsors?

TCEA Robotics Website: www.tcea.org/robotics

ROBO-SIG: Connect with other sponsors, find and share resources. Guarantees you access into the TCEA Social Community Robo-SIG Group.

Contest Forum: Have an Inventions or Arena question? TCEA Robotics Community

Where can I read more about TCEA robotics?

TechNotes Blog Posts: Robotics TechNotes is TCEA’s popular blog, blog.tcea.org offering posts from TCEA board, staff, and members on a range of timely and relevant topics. Sign up to receive the TechNotes newsletter to ensure you are getting the best news and content from TCEA.

ED TECH CLUB – A tcea PODCAST

Does TCEA offer training for robotics sponsors and coaches?

TCEA offers professional development in robotics for educators virtually, face-to-face, online courses, and onsite learning events.

Self-paced online courses
Contact your area director or district to book training
Contact Peggy Reimers at TCEA directly for face-to-face workshops

Whom should I contact about TCEA Robotics?

Equipment/Training:

Peggy Reimers, TCEA Director of Professional Development
preimers@tcea.org
512-450-5406

Contests:

Katie Treat, TCEA Executive Assistant
treat@tcea.org
512-450-5404

How do I order LEGO equipment?

Kim Kieschnick, LEGO Education
kimberly.kieschnick@LEGO.com

Jeff Coe, LEGO Education
jeff.coe@LEGO.com

Who can I contact and where can I find out more about VEQ IQ resources?

Andy Schaafs, Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation
Andy_Schaafs@roboticseducation.org

VEX IQ Getting Started Guide
VEX IQ Parts Poster
VEX IQ Knowledge Base