Queensbury Union Free School District will host the New York-North VEX IQ Robotics State Championships on March 9, 2024. More than 1,000 robot enthusiasts are expected to attend the championship matches, which will include both VRC and IQ divisions.
“This day will feature Vex IQ students in grades 4 through 8 in addition to the high school championships all in one day and on one campus,” said Ben Grieco, the director of technology at Queensbury Union Free School District. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. at Queensbury High School, 409 Aviation Road, Queensbury.
VEX Robotics is an educational robotics system that teaches students in grades 3-12 the fundamentals of STEM through robotics. Students design, build and program robots while keeping an engineering notebook throughout the process.
Beyond classroom training, there is also a competition component for students to collaborate and compete against each other.
The concept has been growing regionally over the years, and several local schools house teams that build robots to compete in an arena-like setting against other schools.
“We are excited to showcase the amazing work, time and dedication that students from around New York State have put into creating these robots,” Grieco said.
Queensbury High School started its robotics team in 2014. Queensbury now boasts 10 robotics teams at the William H. Barton Intermediate School, Queensbury Middle School and Queensbury High School. Other local schools with Vex Robotics teams include Lake George, Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, Saratoga, Granville and Schuylerville.
The VEX Robotics season runs all school year with teams qualifying for the state championship through several tournaments during the season. About 70 high school teams and 32 middle school teams are expected to attend the March 9 State Championships, where teams can qualify for the world championship event in Dallas, Texas in May 2024.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring the New York State Vex Robotics Championships to Queensbury,” said Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon. “Vex Robotics is an integral part of the future for our students.”