VEX IQ/Gears

Coding and Engineering Skills for
Elementary Students

OPEF provides a six-week residency for all 5th grade students in Coding and Robotics using VEX IQ/Gears. This program combines the disciplines of design engineering, robotics, and coding; partnering with teacher librarians as part of the district’s push to reimagine school libraries as hubs of innovation.

You can learn from mistakes that you make, and learn that coding and building is fun and interesting.

— D97  Student

VEX IQ/Gears Program Goals

Working in teams, students build, program, and re-engineer their robotic systems to complete various challenges. Our curriculum intentionally makes it a collaborative effort to adjust their programming commands and configurations to make sure the robot stays on course. For many students, this is their first exposure to robotics and helps to spark an interest that is further developed in middle school. VEX IQ/Gears aims to provide:

Real-World Understanding

Students will gain a better understanding of how technology works in real world applications.

Programmable Skills

Students will build programmable robots using high quality motors, sensors, gears, wheels, axles, and other technical components.

Critical Thinking

Students will improve their critical thinking and collaboration skills by working with partners to successfully complete the challenges.

Help Support OPEF’s Mission Today

Behind Every OPEF Program, lesson and camp is the intention to affect positive change, support families in need and provide STEAM opportunities for children.