VEX IQ Competition Prep

Objective

The Vex IQ Competition Preparation Program aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and strategies required to excel in Vex IQ competitions. Through a series of hands-on activities, challenges, and practice matches, students will develop their robot construction, programming, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities.

Ustar Course Plan

Session 1: Introduction to Vex IQ Competitions

  • Overview of Vex IQ competitions and their rules
  • Introduction to the Vex IQ hardware and software
  • Discussion on competition strategies and key success factors

Session 2: Robot Construction Basics

  • Understanding the Vex IQ construction system and components
  • Building a simple base robot chassis
  • Exploring different types of mechanisms and attachments for specific game tasks

Session 3: Programming Fundamentals

  • Introduction to the Vex IQ programming environment
  • Basic programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, and variables
  • Writing code to control robot movements and perform simple tasks

Session 4: Advanced Programming Techniques

  • Exploring sensor integration and utilization for enhanced robot performance
  • Programming autonomous routines for pre-defined tasks
  • Strategies for optimizing code efficiency and reliability

Session 5: Game Analysis and Strategy

  • Analyzing the current Vex IQ competition game and its scoring elements
  • Identifying game strategies and priorities for maximizing points
  • Collaborative brainstorming and discussion on innovative approaches

Session 6: Mechanical Design Optimization

  • Fine-tuning robot construction for improved performance and efficiency
  • Exploring weight distribution, stability, and balance considerations
  • Iterative design process and prototyping for rapid improvement

Session 7: Practice Matches and Refinement

  • Conducting mock practice matches to simulate competition scenarios
  • Analyzing match performance and identifying areas for improvement
  • Iteratively refining robot design, programming, and strategy based on observations

Session 8: Teamwork and Collaboration

  • Emphasizing effective communication and coordination within teams
  • Practicing match strategies, role assignments, and time management
  • Promoting positive and supportive team dynamics

Final Session: Competition Simulation

  • Simulating a full-scale Vex IQ competition environment
  • Participating in multiple matches against other teams
  • Reflecting on the overall experience and lessons learned

Ustar VEX IQ  Competition Team size: 3-6 members per team

Competition team All-in-one intensive training package:

  • Duration: 6 months 
  • Includes:
  • 6 months of training
  • Participation in 5 local competition events
  • We provide a complete competition set, which includes essential components such as the VEX IQ Super Kit. Additionally, we offer extra structural parts, motion components, electronics and sensors, and expansion kits for more complex and challenging builds. All materials are property of Ustar, with an option to purchase at the end of the training season. 
  • 2-3 updates to robotic design

Meeting Schedule:

Teams meet twice per week, with each team selecting two meeting days. The season runs from August 16 through February 28, including a two-week winter break and one week for Thanksgiving break, for a total of 25 weeks. Tuition is based on 24 weeks of classes to account for additional holidays, competition days, and occasional student absences due to illness. Makeup classes will not be provided for missed sessions.

Monday to Sunday: two days per week, every day 3 hours. 

Competition team registration fee: 

  • Team one-time registration fee: $250, including team registration fee, 5 competition events fee, equipment.

Competition team coaching Free:

  • Pay in full: $3600.
  • Or a monthly (every 4 weeks) payment $650, with a one-month deposit.
  • Early Bird Discount: $100 off if paid before August1st. 

Additional Season Extension (If Qualified)

If the team advances beyond the regular season:

  • 🏆 State Championship Qualification:
    Training extension required prior to  State Championship (renewal tuition applies)

  • 🌎 World Championship Qualification:
    Training extension required prior to World Championship (renewal tuition applies)

Once a week training package

  • 15 classes + 1 competition, 3 hours per class, total $1675
  • Training time contact us email: stemlab@loveustar.com to get more information.
Enroll Now

Refund Policy

Competition team All-in-one intensive training package: 

  • To withdraw, submit the withdrawal form 30 days before the next payment.
  • If you paid in full, you will lose the paid-in-full discount. Tuition will be calculated at $650 per month for the past training months, and the remaining tuition will be refunded.
  • The $250 registration fee is non-refundable.

Once a week training package: 

  • Following the first training session, you have a three-day period to request a prorated refund by submitting a written document.
  • After three days from the first training session, the payment becomes non-refundable, and no further refunds will be issued.

Make-up Policy

Competition team All-in-one intensive training package: 

  • You are entitled to two make-up sessions per month if you miss team training sessions.

Once a week training package: 

  • If individual team members are unable to participate due to personal reasons while the rest of the team attends the session, a make-up session will not be offered. However, the coach will brief the absent team member on the content covered during the missed training session.
  • We kindly request that you coordinate with your fellow team members if you anticipate the need to miss a class.

USTAR OFF-SITE COMPETITION WAIVER AND PARENTAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This Off-Site Competition Waiver and Parental Acknowledgement (“Waiver”) is executed by the undersigned parent or legal guardian (“Parent”) on behalf of the minor participant (“Student”) participating in off-site competitions organized or attended by Ustar (“Ustar”).

1. Scope of Ustar’s Role and Coach Attendance
During off-site competitions, Ustar may arrange for coaches to accompany the team. Coaches will attend only the team’s first match, solely for the purpose of helping the team become familiar with competition rules, procedures, and on-site logistics. Coaches are not expected to be present for subsequent matches. The role of Ustar and its coaches is strictly limited to competition-related guidance and event coordination. Ustar does not provide custodial, supervisory, or childcare services during off-site competitions.

2. Parental Responsibility
The Parent acknowledges and agrees that the supervision, care, conduct, and personal safety of the Student during off-site competitions are the sole responsibility of the Parent or legal guardian. The Parent is responsible for being present on site or independently arranging supervision with other parents, including supervision during non-competition periods, meals, breaks, transportation, and lodging, if applicable.

3. Coordination as a Courtesy Only
Ustar may, at its discretion, assist with communication or coordination among parents. Such assistance is provided solely as a courtesy and does not constitute an assumption, delegation, or transfer of any supervisory, custodial, or safety responsibility by Ustar.

4. Assumption of Risk
The Parent understands that participation in off-site competitions involves inherent risks, including but not limited to travel-related risks, venue-related risks, and risks associated with group activities. The Parent voluntarily assumes all such risks on behalf of the Student.

5. Release and Waiver of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Parent hereby releases, waives, and discharges Ustar, its members, managers, employees, coaches, volunteers, and representatives from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or related to the supervision, care, or safety of the Student during off-site competitions.

6. Acknowledgement and Agreement
By signing below, the Parent confirms that they have read, understood, and voluntarily agreed to this Waiver, and acknowledge that Ustar is not responsible for the supervision or personal safety of the Student during off-site competitions.

Parent / Legal Guardian Name: _______________________________
Student Name: _______________________________
Signature: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________

Payment method:

Zelle: stemlab@loveustar.com

Check: Ustar STEM Lab

Credit card (3% transaction fee included): click below

Notes: write student name and class enrolled when sending payment.

2025-2026 VEX IQ Competition Game Intro

VEX IQ Robotics Competition Rapid Relay is played on a 6’ x 8’ rectangular field configured as seen above. Two robots compete in the Teamwork Challenge as an alliance in 60 second long teamwork matches, working collaboratively to score points.

Teams also compete in the Robot Skills Challenge where one robot takes the field to score as many points as possible. These matches consist of Driving Skills Matches, which will be entirely driver controlled, and Autonomous Coding Skills Matches, which will be autonomous with limited human interaction.

1340 S De Anza Blvd suite 104/102, San Jose, CA 95129

Office Phone Number :1 (408) 352-5488

Email: stemlab@loveustar.com

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