18 March 2026
If you’ve ever wondered how to make computing more engaging for your students, you need to know about VEX Robotics.
Their mission is simple: make engineering, computing, and STEM learning accessible, fun, and hands-on. Whether it’s building and programming a robot for an extracurricular club or preparing a team for a competitive challenge, VEX supports teachers every step of the way with guides, CPD resources, and online tools, all enabling us, the teachers, to bring coding to life.
VEX has rapidly become a global leader in educational robotics. Originally focused on building parts for competitive robotics teams, VEX has expanded to provide hardware, software, and teaching resources for learners from early years right through to A-level, and all of us at Craig’n’Dave love them!
From classroom robotics to competition
For teachers who feel intimidated by the word “competition,” VEX makes it easy to start small. Their classroom robots are designed to be plug-and-play, letting students explore programming concepts, sensors, and AI without worrying about complicated setups or fragile equipment. You can start with block-based coding, and when ready, move on to Python, making robotics accessible for all levels.
Even their competitive programs, like VEX IQ (Key Stage 2–3) and VEX V5 (KS3–5), emphasise collaboration over rivalry. Students are randomly paired with other teams, requiring them to work together, mentor each other, and strategise as a team. The result? Students not only apply computing and design skills but also gain soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork—the very skills employers and educators value most.
In the latest episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave sit down with Chris from VEX Robotics to explore all things robotics in computer science and why it really matters.
Want to know more about VEX Robotics? Check out their website HERE
VEX Robotics is at the Festival of Computing 2026
We’re thrilled to announce VEX Robotics as a Main Sponsor of this year’s Craig’n’Dave Festival of Computing, the UK’s biggest secondary computing festival.
At the festival, you can:
- Explore the VEX stand and see what they have to offer
- Attend their CPD session, “AI Vision in Robotics – World Cup Fever Edition”
- Discover how to introduce robotics in your classroom or after-school club.
VEX is also sponsoring the fantastic pre-event curry supper held at Bromsgrove School.
A special ticketed social the night before the festival. It’s a great way to enjoy a fun evening of networking, conversation, and inspiration. Spaces are limited, so grab your ticket while you can.
Curry night tickets available HERE.
Why you should attend
The Craig’n’Dave Festival of Computing 2026 is all about inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.
Whether you’re looking to refresh your computing lessons, spark excitement with hands-on projects, or explore cross-curricular links this is the event for you.
With engaging CPD sessions and keynote talks, a Marketplace packed with leaders in computing education—including VEX Robotics—and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow educators, it’s an experience no teacher will want to miss.
Get your festival tickets now.
Reserve your curry night ticket while spaces last.
Want to know more about the Festival of Computing? Check out all the details about the day HERE
Want to check out the full interview with Chris from VEX Robotics on our At the Chalkface YouTube channel and hear all about how VEX is shaping computing education?
Watch the video HERE.
