VEX Robotics - The 5th Class Journey
Sept 24th
The 5th Class Journey started with Mrs Boyce getting a VEX Robotics Starter Kit at the end of September. Our kit was sponsored by MICE ( Mary Immaculate College of Education), Limerick.

Sept 25th
First of all, we all chose what TEAM we wanted to be part of.
Each Team would have their own job to do.
We were allowed put our names down for as many (or as few) teams as we wanted, as long as we were committed to working hard & doing our best in that team.
The Teams were : The Design Team - The Materials Management Team - The Build Team - The Expert Team - The Programming Team - The STEM Team - The PR Team.
Each Team would have their own job to do.
We were allowed put our names down for as many (or as few) teams as we wanted, as long as we were committed to working hard & doing our best in that team.
The Teams were : The Design Team - The Materials Management Team - The Build Team - The Expert Team - The Programming Team - The STEM Team - The PR Team.
The Build Team
The Materials Management Team
The Experts
Sept 26th
The Design Team were the first to start working. As a class we watched a video about this year's VEX IQ Challenge: Squared Away and then we were given our brief.
It was very simple - Design a robot suitable to this year's challenge. Here are some of the DESIGNS they came up with.
It was very simple - Design a robot suitable to this year's challenge. Here are some of the DESIGNS they came up with.
Sept 30th
The Materials Management Team started working today. They opened the box and all the bags and sorted the materials into small boxes and the tray.
Oct 1st
Today the Design Team was sharing ideas & thoughts on what type of Robot we should build with this year's Challenge: Squared Away - in mind. It was decided to start building the FLEX Robot and modify it afterwards if needs be.
Oct 2nd
Today we started building our Robot.
We had 3 Teams working & collaborating together.
We seemed to have a good system going.
The Materials Management Team ( in their turns) got the materials that would be needed ready and placed them on the table.
The Build Team worked in pairs and completed 3 steps each.
Finally the Expert Team checked the progress after the 3 steps.
Each group logged their progress noting any problems they encountered.
On Day 1 the only problem we encountered was that the instructions for the FLEX Robot that we printed off the internet was slightly off scale.
As a result, at the start, we didn't know if we were using the right sized materials or not.
We had 3 Teams working & collaborating together.
We seemed to have a good system going.
The Materials Management Team ( in their turns) got the materials that would be needed ready and placed them on the table.
The Build Team worked in pairs and completed 3 steps each.
Finally the Expert Team checked the progress after the 3 steps.
Each group logged their progress noting any problems they encountered.
On Day 1 the only problem we encountered was that the instructions for the FLEX Robot that we printed off the internet was slightly off scale.
As a result, at the start, we didn't know if we were using the right sized materials or not.
Oct 2019
Every afternoon the Materials Management Team, the Build Team & the Expert Team continue to work in tandem to complete Phase 1 - The Building of the FLEX Robot.
Oct 7th
Today we ran into a problem today with our Robot so we had to call the Experts in!
We had to take a few steps apart again and rebuild them.
This was Problem Solving at its best.
Hopefully we have it sorted.
We had to take a few steps apart again and rebuild them.
This was Problem Solving at its best.
Hopefully we have it sorted.
Oct 7th
Oct 9th
Oct 14th
All 67 Steps of the FLEX Robot completed in 12 days.
Very happy with our progress.
Very happy with our progress.
Oct 16th
We encountered our first major problem today with our Robot.
It's higher than the 15 inches allowed.
Back to the drawing board for our Design Team.
We're following the Think Do Test procedure.
It's higher than the 15 inches allowed.
Back to the drawing board for our Design Team.
We're following the Think Do Test procedure.
We were honoured today to have 2 of our Past Pupils from Coláiste Treasa, Alex & Paddy, in to advise us and help us with Programming our Robot.
Oct 17th
Today we built the CUBE ...
And the little MAN.
Oct 18th
Our DESIGN Team spent the last few days putting their heads together to try and solve our HEIGHT issue. (THINK) With the help of our BUILD Team changes were made. (DO) Finally we took out our "Homemade" 15 Inch Ruler and measured our robot. (TEST) This process was repeated and repeated ...until finally we sorted it...For now.