VEX Robotics Competition Update: November 2010

This e-mail blast was sent out on November 29, 2010.

Greetings VEX Community,

The VEX Robotics Competition team count has blown right through the 3,000 ceiling and continues to grow. And with over 200 VRC Events, there is even more opportunity to compete than ever before! Check RobotEvents.com often, we are adding new events all the time.

Please pass the following notes on to your team members:

2011 VEX ROBOTICS WORLDS REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Once you have qualified for the VRC World Championships by winning a local tournament, winning a skills competition or winning the Excellence Award, you will automatically be enabled for the VRC World Championship registration (after your Event Partner enters the awards in the database) – just go to RobotEvents.com and sign up. You only have 4 weeks to register and be assured a spot so don’t delay! We’ll see you at Disney in Orlando on April 14-16!

Note that there are THREE Championship levels you can register for this year – Middle School, High School and College!

Note: Teams that qualified earlier this Fall still have three weeks to register.

2011 WORLDS – GET A $250 DISCOUNT!

The hotel packages offered are a tremendous value PLUS you get a $250 discount on the registration fee. Go to RobotEvents.com for details!

VOLUNTEER AT WORLDS

Want to be part of the inner workings of the VEX Robotics World Championship? Want to see how this amazing event is produced? Sign up today at the VRC World Championship Registration page on RobotEvents.com Scroll to the bottom and look for “Volunteer Information.”

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATES ON THE VEX FORUM

Check out the new World Championship sections on the VEX Forum later this week. This gives you the latest information on the World Championship, and provides an official place to ask questions.

US NATIONAL ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP ANNOUNCED

Come join us at the 1st Annual US National Championship in Omaha Nebraska on March 10-12th, 2011. This is hosted by the CREATE Foundation and promises to be an experience to remember. You can register for High School, Middle School and Grade School competitions. Details are here or on RobotEvents.com

ONLINE CHALLENGES ARE OPEN

Create an entry for the Online Challenges and submit them right from your computer and you may qualify your team for the World Championships and win prizes! Visit the Online Challenges Web site for details.

VEX ROUND UP GAME MANUAL UPDATE

Make sure you are using the most recent game manual – there have been some recent updates on scoring. You can find the most recent game manual information here.

CORTEX UPGRADE PROGRAM IS ALMOST OVER

Option 1: Trade in your PIC Processor and Transmitter and get a $200 discount on the new Cortex System Bundle
Option 2: Convert your VEXnet upgrade system to VEX Bucks. Trade in the old upgrade for a $50 coupon to be used for any VEX item.
Offer expires December 17, 2010 so don’t delay. Go here for details.

NEW VEX PRODUCTS RELEASED

AAA Battery Charger – A must have for Cortex joystick users! Charge up to eight Ni-NH or Ni-Cd rechargeable AA or AAA batteries at a time.

CORTEX USER GUIDE UPDATED

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Cortex Microcontroller – analog conditioning, LED codes, setup, using dual controllers, default user code and jumper setting, debugging, calibrating the joystick, etc. Check the PDF document out here.

NEED IDEAS OR HELP?

VEX, Intelitek, CMU, the REC Foundation and hundreds of students and mentors participate in the VEX forum regularly. If you are looking for help, ideas, or inspiration, check out www.vexforum.com today. Being a regular contributor on the forum is a great first step to winning the new Inspire Award!