Competition 101: V5RC Push Back
8 Sessions
In this STEM Lab, you will prepare for your first V5RC 2025-26 Push Back competition, as you learn to build and drive the Hero Bot, Dex, create a game strategy, improve your robot, and collaborate successfully with your team!
Session 1
Getting Started with Your Team
In this session, you'll be introduced to this year’s V5RC game—Push Back—and start by playing a virtual version of the game. Then, you’ll set your team up for success by creating team rules and setting goals for the season.
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Building Your First Robot
By the end of this session, you’ll have built Dex, the Hero Bot for this year’s game! You’ll also practice driving and coding Dex using Virtual Skills, and deepen your understanding of the Push Back rules and gameplay.
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Session 3
Driving Your Robot
In this session, you’ll take Dex onto the V5RC Push Back Field and practice using different drive configurations to discover which one works best for your team.
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Creating Your First Strategy
It’s time to start thinking strategically! In this session, you’ll practice scoring points with Dex and collect performance data to help develop your team’s first competition strategies.
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Improving Your Robot
This session is all about iteration. You’ll explore how to make incremental improvements to Dex’s design that can enhance your scoring ability.
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Session 6
Practicing for a V5RC Match
In this session, you’ll learn about the key elements of a V5RC match and how to use the V5RC Competition Template—from autonomous to driver control—to structure your gameplay.
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Preparing for Your First Competition
It’s time to get competition-ready! In this session, you’ll participate in a practice walkthrough to learn what to expect on competition day.
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Session 8
Reflecting On Your First Competition
Congratulations on competing in your first V5RC matches! In this session, you’ll reflect on your experience and plan your next steps for improvement as a team. You will decide which session(s) you want to revisit as you continue to move through your season!
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