Summary
Materials Needed
The following is a list of all the materials that are needed to complete the VEX GO Lab. These materials include student facing materials as well as teacher facilitation materials. It is recommended that you assign two students to each VEX GO Kit.
In some Labs, links to teaching resources in a slideshow format have been included. These slides can help provide context and inspiration for your students. Teachers will be guided in how to implement the slides with suggestions throughout the lab. All slides are editable, and can be projected for students or used as a teacher resource. To edit the Google Slides, make a copy into your personal Drive and edit as needed.
Other editable documents have been included to assist in implementing the Labs in a small group format. Print the worksheets as is or copy and edit those documents to suit the needs of your classroom. Example Data Collection sheet setups have been included for certain experiments as well as the original blank copy. While they offer suggestions for setup, these documents are all editable to best suit your classroom and the needs of your students.
Materials | Purpose | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
VEX GO Kit |
For building and making adaptations to the Adaptation Claw. |
1 per group |
Adaptation Claw Build Instructions (PDF) or Adaptation Claw Build Instructions (3D) |
For students to build the Adaptation Claw if not already built. |
1 per group |
Lab 2 Image Slideshow Google Doc / .pptx / .pdf |
Visual aids for teacher facilitation. |
1 for teacher facilitation |
Robotics Roles & Routines Google Doc / .docx / .pdf |
Editable Google Doc for organizing group work and materials |
1 per group |
Blueprint Worksheet Google Doc / .docx / .pdf
Lab 2 Blueprint Worksheet Google Doc / .docx / .pdf |
Editable Google Doc for students to design and plan their adaptations to the Adaptation Claw in Play sections. |
1 per group |
Data Collection Sheet Google Doc / .docx / .pdf
Lab 2 Data Sheet Example Google Doc / .docx / .pdf |
Editable Google Doc for students to record data in Play Part 1. |
1 per group |
Various Items: empty soda can, water bottle, pencil, markers, or other small classroom items |
For students to pick up with the Adaptation Claw in Play Part 1. |
1 set per group |
To help remove pins or pry beams apart. |
1 per group | |
Get Ready...Get VEX...GO! PDF Book (optional) |
To read with students to introduce them to VEX GO through a story and introductory build. | 1 for demonstration purposes |
Get Ready...Get VEX...GO! Teacher's Guide Google Doc / .pptx / .pdf |
For additional prompts when introducing students to VEX GO with the PDF Book. | 1 for teacher use |
Engage
Begin the lab by engaging with the students.
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Hook
Has anyone ever used a pencil-sharpener before? A pencil sharpener is a mechanism used to make the task of sharpening a pencil easier.
A mechanism is something that can be used to help humans complete tasks that they may not be able to do on their own. For example, reach farther.
Note: If students are new to VEX GO, use the Get Ready...Get VEX...GO! PDF book and Teacher’s Guide (Google Doc / .pptx / .pdf) to introduce them to learning and building with VEX GO. Add an additional 10-15 minutes to your lesson time to accommodate this additional activity.
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Leading Question
What other kinds of mechanisms have you seen or experienced in your life to make tasks easier?
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Build Pre-Built Adaptation Claw
Play
Allow students to explore the concepts introduced.
Part 1
Students will test the Adaptation Claw using a checklist to understand the movement of the Adaptation Claw. Students will attempt to pick up five items like: empty soda cans, water bottles, pencils, markers, or other small classroom items.
Mid-Play Break
Students will assess which items are most appropriate to be picked up by the Adaptation Claw and how using the Adaptation Claw could help solve authentic problems like picking up trash on the side of the road.
Part 2
Students will make adaptations to their claw in order to pick up an object that was difficult to lift initially. Can they make their Adaptation Claw better suited to pick up the object they could not pick up from Play Part 1?
Share
Allow students to discuss and display their learning.

Discussion Prompts
- What adaptation did your group make to the Adaptation Claw?
- How did your group decide on the adaptations for the Adaptation Claw?
- What object can your Adaptation Claw pick up now that it couldn’t before?