What kind of robotics program is this?
A full season competitive robotics masterclass, where you learn to design, build, program, and compete with real robots, taught by some of the best competitive robotics engineers in the world.
Your kids will learn:
Prototyping and the Engineering Design Process
Students love working hands-on, and that’s exactly what this program is built around. We’ll take students through the same engineering design process used by real competitive robotics teams: brainstorming ideas, building prototypes, testing what works, fixing what doesn’t, and improving the design step by step. Students will learn how to turn a rough idea into a working robot mechanism, make intelligent design choices based on real data, and use prototyping to help them solve the VEX V5 challenge.
CAD and Design
The first step to any robot is figuring out what you want it to do, and how it will work. We'll teach students how to use industry standard CAD software like Autodesk, and dive into mechanisms like 4-bars, floating intakes, and handoff mechanisms, and learn when to use each one.
Building
We’ll cover the building skills that the best competitors use to build a robot that performs reliably in competition. Students will learn how to build robust drivetrains, tune consistent intakes, reduce friction to score faster, plan out mechanisms, mount electronics well, and make robots that are sturdy, serviceable, and competition-ready. Along the way, they’ll learn the little details experienced teams use to make robots cleaner, stronger, faster, and easier to fix.
Programming
We’ll cover the practical coding strategies VEX teams use in real competition, from simple block coding to advanced industry standard PID control loops, including error correction strategies like distance resets and odometry. Students will learn how to code driver control, tune autonomous movements, use sensors to improve consistency, and troubleshoot problems when the robot doesn’t behave the way they expected.
Strategy and Driving
We’ll cover the part of robotics that happens after the robot is built: how to actually win matches. Students will learn game sense, performing under pressure, predicting their opponent's movements, communication, breaking down a complex challenge into parts that can be solved with hard data. They'll also of course get to drive their robot... at real competitions! They'll learn the best drills to practice beforehand to ensure they can perform at their best at the competition.
Teamwork and Leadership
Robotics is more than building a machine. Students will learn how to work as a real engineering team by communicating clearly, dividing responsibilities, solving disagreements, documenting ideas, and helping each other improve. We’ll focus on the skills that make strong teams successful: leadership, determination, problem-solving, preparation, and learning how to keep moving forward when things don't go as planned.
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Ultimately, your kids will end the year with a robust understanding of how to work with a team to design, build, program, test, document, and drive a real competition robot (and will have competed at several real competitions), working under the instruction of one of the most successful teams in the world: 3 engineers from from Cal Poly.
If you're looking for a way to make sure your child is on track for an incredible future in STEM, this is it!
What is VEX Robotics?
VEX V5 Robotics is the largest competitive robotics competition in the world. With over 10,000+ teams competing from over 60 countries, you'll be competing against some of the best engineers in the world.
We're here to help you learn from the best and compete at a world-class level.
Every year, VEX releases a new challenge for teams to compete in. Here's this year's challenge (video for more info)
2026-27 SLO Robotics Season Membership
9th - 12th grade
We're still finalizing the program details.
Click the button below to be the first to know when signups open!
Program details
Mentorship: Led by three of the most experienced competitive robotics engineers on the central coast.
Schedule: 10 hours of weekly in-person instruction from September 2026 through May 2027.
Hardware: Access to $5,000+ in professional VEX V5 hardware and sensors per team.
Local Focus: This membership covers all professional coaching, hardware, and event registration fees; tournament travel and lodging are handled by parents (we will coordinate with you on the best ways to do this as events get closer).
Commitment: No experience is required! We are looking for kind, enthusiastic, respectful, and energy driven students that are willing to put in the effort and time for robotics competitions at the regional, state, and world level.
Age: 9th - 12th Grade (special requests on a case by case basis).
STEM Impact: These are exactly the kinds of skills students will need to pursue a career in STEM, and will make them stand out when applying for college.
We're still finalizing the program details. Fill out the form below to be the first to know when signups open!