VEX Robotics Equipment and ROBOTC Software Transition

Overview

The Equipment Platform

PLTW is excited to announce its relationship with VEX Robotics, which will give PLTW schools new, exciting and cutting-edge opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. VEX® Robotics’ equipment is a high quality platform with broad functionality that allows students to create more innovative solutions to problems. Not only will students use the equipment during the school day when everyone can participate, PLTW schools will also have the ability to take part in the VEX® Robotics Competition, the largest and fastest growing middle and high school robotics competition in the world. These competitions allow students to apply their robotics knowledge from the classroom in a unique, problem-solving environment. The transition to the VEX® platform will also have a tremendous impact on equipment delivery for schools. The Texas-based company has a robust fulfillment and customer service operation that will deliver equipment to schools promptly and efficiently.  For more information regarding VEX® Robotics, please read the December 2010 press release.

PLTW students had the opportunity to work with the VEX® platform at the 2010 Innovation Summit. Check out our online photo gallery from the event.

The Software Platform

Another critical key to the VEX® Robotics platform transition is the adoption of a more comprehensive programming software.  PLTW is pleased to announce its new collaboration with Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Academy, a research based, world leader in educational robotics that prides itself on providing high-quality, education-friendly software and curricular solutions. The Robotics Academy supports the ROBOTC® programming language and has developed a scaffolded learning continuum that is widely recognized as one of the world’s best solutions to introduce students to programming, an important skill set for students.  ROBOTC® software provides students with an industry standard development environment which has been optimized for education. In addition to this high quality programming tool, the Robotics Academy will also provide the PLTW network with an exceptional range of support resources based on educational and industry research and best practice. 

The Transition

To ensure a smooth transition, PLTW will be introducing the VEX® platform in two phases. The first phase of this transition is to integrate the VEX® platform into our current curriculum. The second phase of the transition will focus on exploring new and exciting opportunities for our students to create innovative solutions to open-ended projects and problems through the additional functionality of the VEX® platform.  This phased process will allow the PLTW network the opportunity to transition to the VEX® platform at its own pace throughout a multiyear process, with a consistent focus on the students’ educational experience. PLTW recognizes that existing schools have invested in fischertechnik (FT) equipment, which is one of the reasons we are taking this phased transition approach, detailed here.

 PHASE 1: THE NEXT 3 ACADEMIC YEARS (THROUGH 2013-2014)

Curriculum 

  • One Curriculum: A single version of the curriculum will be available showcasing the use of both equipment platforms. 
  • Same Concepts: Regardless of equipment platform, annual curriculum releases will cover the same course concepts and student learning objectives.

Teacher Training

  •  Core Training:
    •  One Training: Each course will have a single version of Core Training designed to focus on course concepts and pedagogy while preparing teachers to use either equipment platform. 
    • Both Equipment Platforms: The VEX® platform will be the primary platform, however both equipment platforms will be available for participants to use during training. This approach will ensure teachers are confident using either equipment platform.
    • Both Software Platforms: ROBOTC® (used with the VEX® kits) will be the primary programming software, however RoboPro (used with FT) training  will be held for participants planning to use the FT platform.  
    • Note: DE is not affected by this software transition.
  • Ongoing Training:
    • VEX® and ROBOTC® Resources: Online training will be available, at no cost, to assist all previously trained teachers as they transition from the FT to VEX® platform. 
    • FT and RoboPro Resources: Online supplemental resources will be available, at no cost, to assist all previously trained teachers that continue using the FT platform.

End of Course Assessment

  • One Assessment: The same end of course assessments will apply regardless of equipment platform. Assessments will not reference a specific equipment platform or software.

Implementation

  • New Schools: New PLTW schools are required to purchase the VEX® platform.  
  • New Courses: Existing PLTW schools implementing GTT, POE, DE, or CIM for the first time are required to purchase the VEX® platform.  
  • Existing Schools: Existing PLTW schools that have already implemented GTT, POE, DE, or CIM have the two options:
    • Option 1: Purchase the VEX® platform and transition to the new PLTW equipment platform.
    • Option 2: Continue to use the FT platform. 

 Ordering

  • Ordering and fulfillment procedures will be the same for the VEX® and FT platforms.

PHASE 2: 2014-2015 AND 2015-2016 ACADEMIC YEARS

Curriculum

  • Two Curriculum Options: 
    • Option 1 (recommended): Use the VEX® platform and teach the current annual curriculum release.  
    • Option 2: Continue to use the FT platform and teach the 2013-2014 curriculum release. 
  • Varying Concepts: PLTW will only update the annual curriculum releases for courses based on the VEX® platform. If there are major updates to the curriculum during this phase, it will be done in close collaboration with state Education Departments and PLTW State Leadership teams.

 Teacher Training

  • Core Training:
    • One Training: Each course will have a single version of Core Training based on the current annual curriculum release.
    • One Equipment Platform: The VEX® platform will be the only platform utilized during training. 
    • One Software Platform: ROBOTC® will be the only programming software utilized during training.  
  • Ongoing Training: 
    • VEX® and ROBOTC® Resources: Online training will be available, at no cost, to assist all previously trained teachers as they transition from the FT to VEX® platform. 
    • FT and RoboPro Resources: Online supplemental resources will be available, at no cost, to assist all previously trained teachers that continue using the FT platform.

End of Course Assessment

  • Assessment Options: If significant differences exist between annual curriculum releases, separate end of course assessments will be available.  After the 2015-2016 academic year, PLTW will only provide one end of course assessment per course, based on the current annual curriculum release.

Implementation

  • FT will no longer be available for sale from PLTW. All purchases of kits for use in GTT, POE, DE, or CIM will be VEX® kits.  
  • Existing PLTW schools that have already implemented GTT, POE, DE, or CIM have two options:
    • Option 1 (recommended): Purchase the VEX® platform and teach the current annual curriculum release.  
    • Option 2: Continue to use the FT platform and teach the 2013-2014 curriculum release. 

Frequently Asked Questions - VEX® Equipment

Which PLTW course offerings will use VEX® kits?

PLTW, in partnership with VEX Robotics, has created new course-specific VEX® kits that replace the previously used FT kits:

  • GTT – a VEX® GTT kit will replace the FT GTT kit.
  • POE – a VEX® POE kit will replace the FT POE kit.
    • This new VEX® POE kit will also replace the FT POE kit previously used in CIM.
  • DE – a VEX® DE kit will replace the FT DE kit.
  • AE – a new VEX® AE kit has been developed for this course as part of PLTW's revision of AE, which has been underway for more than two years. An FT kit was not previously used in AE.

If I am already trained in a particular PLTW course, will I have to attend another training prior to implementing the curriculum using the VEX® platform?

As outlined in the timeline above, online training will be available, at no cost, to assist all previously trained teachers as they transition from the FT to VEX® platform. This will follow the same format and protocol used for all Ongoing Training for PLTW Course updates – including the AE Course update. The online training needed for those wishing to transition to the VEX® platform for the 2011-2012 academic year will be available no later than June 2011. All teachers will be notified through the course forums when training becomes available.

If I already have VEX® Classroom Lab Kits is there an easy way to upgrade them for use in PLTW courses?

 For PLTW Schools that have already purchased VEX® Classroom Lab Kits (CLK), PLTW and VEX have developed upgrade kits for both GTT and POE. These upgrade kits will provide you with all of the necessary parts to transform each of your VEX® Classroom Lab Kits (with either PIC or Cortex) into a GTT VEX® Kit or POE VEX® Kit. The cost of a GTT and POE® VEX Upgrade Kit is outlined below for both of the VEX® Classroom Lab Kits options.

All of the upgrade kits are available for purchase as listed in the PLTW Purchasing Manual.

The AE VEX® Kit and DE VEX® Kit do not have Upgrade Kits, because they differ too greatly from the VEX® Classroom Lab Kits.  

Frequently Asked Questions - ROBOTC® Software

What are the benefits of the ROBOTC® software?

 ROBOTC® programming software allows students to quickly and intuitively explore and gain understanding of computer programming through a scaffolded learning experience utilizing its Natural Language programming environment.  The programming environment provides the user with simple, predefined drag and drop phrases (e.g., startMotor, stopMotor, and wait) that can be directly inserted into a process outline. This approach to programming ultimately provides an experience designed to facilitate programming confidence and to provide a smooth transition to traditional C programming. Students that use ROBOTC® programming are learning key components of industry standard programming languages that are useful in higher education and professional applications. 

Another benefit of ROBOTC® is the vast collection of instructional resources and sample programs currently available. Combined with the related PLTW curriculum materials produced by PLTW in conjunction with the Robotics Academy, both teachers and students will enjoy an ever-growing library of resources.

Is ROBOTC® C-based programming?

ROBOTC® does use a C-based source code editor in lieu of a generic text editor. If you’re not a C programmer, don’t worry – aside from a few similar naming conventions, ROBOTC®’s user-friendly interface creates an environment where middle school and high school students can flourish while using a simplified version of the C-based industry standard programming language. The programming environment provides the user with simple, predefined drag and drop phrases (e.g., startMotor, stopMotor, and wait) that can be directly inserted into a process outline.

Where ROBOTC® really stands out is in the programming environment. ROBOTC®’s integrated development environment (IDE) uses Natural Language, a programming component which allows students to drag and drop functions and variables to create their program, as well as a real-time syntax checking and compiling feature. It has an extremely interactive debugger, allowing users to step line by line through the program and analyze the values of all variables and interpret real time states of all motors and sensors. 

What is the difference between ROBOTC® and RoboPro?

ROBOTC® is the programming language required for PLTW VEX® kits. RoboPro is the programming language required for PLTW fischertechnik (FT) kits.

Which PLTW courses use ROBOTC®?

ROBOTC® is the PLTW adopted and supported programming software used with the VEX® platform and is used in the following courses:

  • Gateway To Technology (GTT) Unit: Automation and Robotics (AR)
  • Principles Of Engineering (POE)
  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
  • Aerospace Engineering (AE)

Please Note: ROBOTC® is only used with the VEX® equipment platform. PLTW schools that continue to use the fischertechnik (FT) equipment must continue to use the RoboPro programming software until they transition to the VEX® platform. 

What is the cost of ROBOTC® software? 

ROBOTC® software is being made available to PLTW schools in a yearly license for $200. This will be a network license that will enable up to 100 computers within a school site to use ROBOTC® software simultaneously. To support its schools with the VEX® transition and because PLTW is aware that this represents an additional cost for schools, PLTW will entirely subsidize the $200 annual license for all schools who purchase and activate licenses for the 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, and 2013 – 2014 school years. As such, when schools order the license, the ultimate charge will be zero. (The order must still be placed because various pieces of information are required so that the license can be delivered to ordering schools.) 

How do I order ROBOTC®?

All schools must currently place an order for a ROBOTC® license by completing the Software License Order Form located on the Program Support page.

Upon submitting the information requested to PLTW, your designated contact will receive an email providing software download and installation instructions directly from ROBOTC®. Please provide up to three weeks for this process. 

Please Note: There is no purchase order required for this order form since PLTW is subsidizing the entire $200 annual license for all schools that purchase and activate licenses for the 2011–12, 2012–13, and 2013–14 school years.

How many seats do I get with the ROBOTC® annual license?

ROBOTC® is distributed to PLTW schools as a Building License. The Building License allows the school to use the software on the school’s network and within the school’s campus, and allows up to 100 students in the school to use the software simultaneously. 

If a school district has multiple schools using ROBOTC® software, then the school district will need to order a Building License for each school. This does not apply to schools which have multiple buildings within the school campus as long as no more than 100 computers are simultaneously using the software.  

How do I download ROBOTC® software?

See “How do I order ROBOTC® software”.

How do I obtain support for ROBOTC®?

We urge all teachers to become active participants on the ROBOTC® forum located on the PLTW Virtual Academy. This is a beneficial, searchable resource where teachers can pose questions and find answers to common questions. If you are unable to find an answer to your question on the forum, please utilize the following resources.

  • For help with the ROBOTC® software – installing, licensing, operation, etc., please contact support@ROBOTC.net or 412-687-9067.
  • For curriculum-related questions about how ROBOTC® is used in our courses, please contact engineeringcurriculum@pltw.org or 877-335-PLTW (7589).
  • For questions regarding ROBOTC® ordering, please contact schoolrelations@pltw.org or 877-335-PLTW (7589). 

What are the computer specifications for ROBOTC®?

ROBOTC® requires basic system specifications to run properly. The programming environment is not processor intensive; however, the interactive debugger may slow down computer performance on older machines. Please see the ROBOTC® recommended system requirements identified below: 

  • 1.5Ghz Pentium 4 or higher
  • 512MB of RAM
  • 50MB of disk space
  • Windows XP Service Pack 2 or higher, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
  • ROBOTC® will not run natively in operating system other than Microsoft Windows
  • ROBOTC® has been tested with VMWare Fusion, Parallels Desktop, and Apple's Boot Camp

Please Note: The ROBOTC® computer specifications are significantly less than those required by PLTW as outlined in our Purchasing Manual Appendix, Computer Specifications.

Will ROBOTC® training be available?

ROBOTC® training will be incorporated into PLTW Core Training course offerings where necessary beginning this summer. PLTW curriculum-related online training will be available through the PLTW Virtual Academy on July 15, 2011, at no cost to assist all teachers as they transition from the FT to VEX® platform. ROBOTC® training resources are currently available at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. 

Contact Us

If you have additional questions, please contact our School Support Team by email or phone:
schoolrelations@pltw.org or 877-335-PLTW (7589).