Nelson Team Grants

New Schools have not previously registered any VIQRC teams. New schools that are interested in starting one or more VIQRC teams for the 2024-2025 season are eligible to apply for the New Team Award. New schools interested in starting two or more new teams can also apply for the Additional Team Award. Items included in these awards are in the table below.

Returning Schools that participated before the 2022-2023 season are eligible to apply for Returning Team Awards. This award offers a (2nd Gen) IQ Robot Battery (Li-Ion) ($52) for each paid returning team that did not receive one in a previous season. Li-ion batteries hold a charge longer than (1st Gen) NIMH batteries.

Returning schools with VIQRC fields that have not yet been expanded from 4'x8' to 6'x8'are also eligible to apply for one or two Field Upgrade Awards. This award offers a VIQRC Field Upgrade Kit ($104) for one or two fields that need to be expanded.

Returning schools that pay to register more teams for the 2024-2025 season than they did for any prior season are eligible to apply for one or two Additional Teams Awards and for one Additional Field Award for each three Additional Teams Award for each three additional teams added. The items included in these awards are in the table below.

Schools that receive a New Team Award are required to renew team registration for one VIQRC team ($200 registration fee paid by grant the first year) and to register that team for and to attend an official event (typical fee $155) each year. These schools should plan to spend up to $155 the first year for event registration and $647 each subsequent year for team registration ($200), event registration ($155), full game and field element kit ($192), and additional robot parts ($100). Schools with more than one field will need to purchase a full game and field element kit ($192) for each field. The recommended team size is 3-6 students the first year and 4-12 students in subsequent years.

Schools that receive Additional Team(s) Awards are required to renew team registration for each VIQRC team ($200 registration fee paid by grant the first year) and to register for and to attend an official event (typical fee $155) each year. Each team should plan to spend up to $155 the first year for event registration and $405 each subsequent year for team registration ($150 for 2nd-6th teams), event registration ($155), and additional robot parts ($100).

• School submits Nelson Team Grant application.
• LeRoy Nelson notifies school of decision.
• LeRoy sends approved school Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) and instructions to register team contacts (if they have not already registered) and team(s).
• At least one contact must be a school staff member with a LAUSD.net email address.
• At least one unique coach (school staff member or parent volunteer) should be registered and listed as a Primary or Secondary Coach for each VIQRC team.
• Coaches need to complete a background check before they can register teams or be listed as Primary or Secondary Coaches.
• No prior robotics or technical experience is required to be a coach.
• • School registers team contacts and team(s). No student names needed. No payment needed for new schools.
• School forwards team registration order confirmation email to LeRoy.
• LeRoy pays the team registration fee(s) for approved teams for new schools.
• A box containing a Team Welcome Kit should arrive approximately one week after payment of fee(s).
• One or more new coaches from new schools attend Coach Virtual Training.
• Recommendations to make the first year VIQRC team experience fun and successful.
• 90-minute sessions are offered by LeRoy via Zoom at various times in June, August, and September.
• Introduction to online resources for coach training and certification, team logistics, robot design process, robot builds, programming, engineering notebooks, judging, events, etc.
• Questions and Answers.
• Optional for coaches with experience or who already have a Coach Certificate.
• Coach Training Schedule and Resources
• • Coaches may also attend optional Coach Hands-On Training.
• 4-hour sessions are offered on Saturday afternoons at LeRoy’s home in Manhattan Beach in September.
• Other sessions may be offered at school sites if there is sufficient interest.
• 4-20 coaches per session build and program basic robots using VEX IQ Education Kits.
• Coaches should bring a portable computer (Windows, MacBook, iPad, or Chromebook) that can be used by their students later.
• Coaches may receive additional VIQRC parts after this training.
• All coaches should complete the online Coach Certification Course.
• Prepares new coaches and mentors to form and guide student teams for VIQRC and VRC.
• 10 units represent 8 hours of professional development and training when completed.
• Experienced coaches can take the 10 Unit Quizzes to see if they are prepared to take the Final Exam.
• Forward a copy of Coach Certificate email to LeRoy.
• Beginning in August, LeRoy provides additional VIQRC equipment, full fields, and game kits for schools which have registered their teams.
• Most equipment will be shipped directly to schools.
• The complete equipment bundle for new teams includes up to 7 boxes weighing a total of 90 pounds.
• LeRoy sends school shipping confirmations.
• School organizes team(s) to learn how to build and program VIQRC robots.
• LeRoy works with host schools to organize and post leagues and tournaments for teams to attend.
• In September, LeRoy sends school instructions to register teams(s) for leagues and/or tournaments.
• School registers team(s) for at least one official event (league or tournament).
• School forwards event registration order confirmation(s) to LeRoy.
• Teams attend event(s) with at least one background-checked coach (teacher or parent) for each team.
• Top teams qualify for Event Region Championships and World Championships.

LAUSD VEX IQ Robotics Competition League and Championship Schedules by Year

Our 2024-25 goal is to start 15 new schools and 50 additional teams, restart 20 dormant teams, and support 295 returning teams this season, which will require starting up to 3 new leagues and supporting 12 returning leagues and 4 returning Event Region Championships.

Each new league should have 16-24 teams. Each continuing league should have 20-36 teams. Each league needs at least 16 teams for the top teams to qualify for Event Region Championships.

New coaches of teams participating in a league should attend a League Orientation.

Leagues meet after school or on Saturdays four times between October and January:

• September: League Orientations for coaches. Optional for returning leagues.
• October: Qualifying Session 1: optional Practice Teamwork Matches and Qualification Teamwork Matches.
• November and December: Qualifying Sessions 2-3: Qualification Teamwork Matches.
• December and January: Remote Judging: Digital Engineering Notebooks and Team Interviews.
• January: Championship Session: Skills Matches and Judging followed by Finals Matches and Awards.
• After-school league sessions typically start at 4:00 PM.
• League Orientations end by 5:30 PM for coaches and by 7:00 PM for league volunteers.
• Qualifying Sessions end by 7:00 PM.
• Championship Sessions end by 7:45 PM.

Nelson Team Grant Recipent Schools by Year with Maps

If my school receives a Nelson Team Grant, I understand that my school will have use of the provided VEX IQ Robotics Competition (VIQRC) equipment for as long as my team fulfills the conditions listed below. A new VIQRC season starts after the VEX Robotics World Championships at the in late April or early May each year.

• The coaches/mentors and administration at my school support creating a sustainable VIQRC program.
• The VIQRC equipment will be stored in a safe, clean location.
• The VIQRC equipment will be used for official VIQRC events each season.
• My team(s) will complete and pay team registration each season (paid by the grant the first year).
• My team(s) will register for and will attend at least one official event each season.
• My team(s) will participate in post-season surveys to assure that the above conditions have been fulfilled.

In the future, if my team(s) no longer fulfill(s) the conditions listed above, I will return the VIQRC equipment so that it can be made available to another school.

2024 Nelson Team Grant Application (Word document, 4 pages, updated 05/12/24)

This application should be signed by a school administrator, preferably by the Principal.
Please scan and email the signed application to LeRoy@LARobotics.org.
Applications are due by Friday, September 27, 2024.
Submit applications early to give your students more time to build and practice driving a robot before the first league session.

Bassett Elementary School was one of the first schools to receive a Nelson Team Grant. Bassett Elementary’s dynamic journey to the VEX Robotics World Championships in their second year is masterfully captured in this insightful and gripping documentary. As we follow the trials and triumphs of the small band of determined students, teachers and support staff, this video celebrates overcoming the challenges of the world with heart, spirit and teamwork.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

LeRoy Nelson, Treasurer
Los Angeles Robotics
1457 3rd St
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

E-mail: LeRoy@LARobotics.org
Mobile phone: (310) 529-4637, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Pacific 7 days
Home office phone: (310) 937-7226