Course Description

Students will explore the world of robotics in a “hands-on = minds-on” program that highlights the engineering design cycle and fosters collaborative problem-solving. Coursework will include building, programming, and re-interating robots to solve problems. Learning to work in a group will also be a critical component of the course, cultivating collaborative skills. This course provides a platform for learning the basics of robotics, engineering design, and the scientific process. 

Students will utilize VEX IQ kits and the associated programming language to explore the fundamentals of engineering principles, mechanical techniques, and VEX programming, while engaging with the engineering design cycle. For their final project, they will apply their skills on a VEX IQ competition board, designing, building, and programming a robot of their own creation.

Essential Questions

  • What factors need to be considered when designing a robot? 
  • How can we design and program robots to accomplish tasks effectively, reliably, and efficiently? 
  • How can a challenge or problem be communicated to prompt contributions from other team members?
  • How can we build consensus for a unified approach to a challenge? 
  • How can we assign specific responsibilities to team members to ensure productive work?
  • How does applying the principles and process of the engineering design cycle help us to develop, test, revise, and improve a solution? 
  • How do the engineering design cycle, scientific process, and the IDEAL method differ?
  • How can we present an issue to encourage constructive feedback from our peers?

Who Should Apply

  • Students currently in 5th or 6th grade.

Week Overview

Date Theme/Topic 
Week 1 Collaborative Design, Engineering Design Cycle, Basic Building, Types of Robots, Programming in VEX, Sensors, Autonomous Versus Piloted
Week 2                                    Team Building, Types of Drive Trains, Gear Ratios, Actuators, IDEAL Method, 3D Printing Parts, Utilizing TinkerCad 
Week 3 Advanced Building and Programming (VEX), Allowances and Tolerances,  Designing to Prepare for a Competition, Introduction of Competition Components(Notebook, Programming, Performance, Autonomous)

Instructors

  • TBD

Details

Cost

  • $1450
    • $1400 (tuition)
    • $50 (registration fee)

Time

9am - 2:30pm

Location

  • University of Washington Seattle Campus
  • Building and Room TBD

Date

  • July 6th-24th, 2026
  • Monday - Friday

Refund and Transfer Deadlines

  • Full tuition refund: April 10th
  • 50% tuition refund: April 11th-May 8th
  • No refund: after May 8th