The 2023 VEX Robotics World Championship, hosted in Dallas, brought together the best robotics teams from around the world to compete in a high-energy and fast-paced competition. The annual event showcases the latest innovations in robotics and provides a platform for young engineers and robotics enthusiasts to showcase their skills and creativity.
The competition is organized by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, which is committed to promoting STEM education and providing students with hands-on learning experiences in robotics. The championship is open to teams of middle school, high school and college students who compete in a variety of events that test their engineering, programming and teamwork skills.
Each year, a new problem is unveiled, and participants must design a robot for the solution. During the 2022-23 Texas Region 1 competition in Houston, VEX University (VEXU) teams used their robots to score goals with flying discs and manipulate field elements to earn a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championship.
WE VEXU, a robotics team sponsored by the Texas A&M University Women in Engineering program, consists of engineering students who are passionate about robotics and STEM education. WE VEXU placed at the regional competition, securing their spot at the world championship.
“The mission of our team is to promote an inclusive and welcoming environment, learn about robotics and gain valuable hands-on engineering experiences.”
The team did not place in the finals at the championship, but WE VEXU learned valuable lessons that will help them in future competitions. The team’s approach differs from most competitive robotics teams, as they focus more on elevating first-year members.
“The mission of our team is to promote an inclusive and welcoming environment, learn about robotics and gain valuable hands-on engineering experiences,” said Sarah Beltran, an electrical engineering student and co-captain of the WE VEXU robotics team. “What sets us apart from other teams is that we focus a lot on teaching our members — especially first-year students — and allowing them to get hands-on experience with building, programming and driving the robots. We think that it's a really great opportunity since not a lot of first-year students are able to participate in stuff like this. We don't require any experience or any prior knowledge about robotics to join.”
The 2023 VEX Robotics World Championship challenged the teams to think creatively, work collaboratively and push the boundaries of robotics technology. The event also highlighted the importance of STEM education and the need to encourage more young people.
“The team has made a really big impact on me because I really don't think I would have been involved in robotics if it weren't for WE VEXU, and it can be kind of intimidating,” said Samantha Matthew, a biomedical engineering student and co-captain of the team. “When I was younger, I went to summer camps that involved robotics, but I would be the only girl there. A lot of our team members have experienced environments being less welcoming to women or have common experiences of feeling underestimated. I think our team is very special in that way because we definitely can do these things, and we want our team members to feel like they belong. They are capable.”
The team has remained optimistic and determined to improve their skills and performance in future competitions. Their dedication and passion for robotics are an inspiration to others, including members of their team.
“I started this amazing experience my freshman year,” said Chantal Echegaray, a mechanical engineering student and member of WE VEXU. “They're all very welcoming. It is a very nice environment, and they really take the time to teach you things that other clubs just would not offer. There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved.”
WE VEXU was not the only team from Texas A&M that made it to the 2023 VEX Robotics World Championship. Aggie Robotics’ team WHOOP also represented Texas A&M in the VEXU bracket.
Check out more photos from VEX Robotics World Championship 2023!