VEX Robotics News
OPEF VEX Robotics completes its 11th season
A look back at the 2016-17 season in which we served more kids in more ways than ever before.
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Pilot program builds skills and confidence
Students got a chance to dip their toe into the exciting world of VEX Robotics in a new pilot program this year.
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OPEF VEX sweeps top awards at state
On Saturday, OPEF teams battled it out at the State Championship and won a record 7 awards!
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VEX teams head to State Championship after Battle of the Bots win
It was an exciting day last Saturday as 38 middle school robotics teams converged on Julian Middle School to battle for a place at the IL MS VEX Robotics State Championship.
Read More ›2016-17 Season
Robot Rumble
DECEMBER 17, 2016
Julian In-House League
Cougar Challenge
December 10, 2016
Julian at Elm Middle School
Domo Arigato
January 21, 2017
Brooks at Heritage Middle School
Battle of the Bots
Tournament
FEBRUARY 4, 2017
at Julian Middle School
Robot Rumble
MARCH 18, 2017
Julian In-House League
IL MS VEX Robotics
State Championship
MARCH 4, 2017
at Julian Middle School
A Premier "STEM" Program
Thinking, planning, testing...
and revising like an engineer is a life-changing, career-molding experience.
Working closely with adult mentors...
in tech fields, students see the relevance of their schoolwork and the joy of thinking, planning and testing like an engineer.
Our students build confidence...
and competence, whether or not they pursue a career in STEM, as the next generation’s problem-solvers, creative thinkers and team players.
We hire our own VEX graduates...
to help plan and organize the program and serve as role models and mentors to middle school students.
Exciting Engineering Challenges
Teams of students design, build and program robots to play the annual VEX Robotics Challenge game at local and regional competitions. Launched in 2005, this innovative program uses the excitement of competitive sports to get kids turned on to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
We are an award-winning program that is recognized both in Illinois and nationally as a premier STEM program.
We are working to promote STEM education in the Chicago area, and provide free advice and training to Chicago-area schools that wish to start their own VEX Robotics programs. Since 2012, we have helped start many of the middle school robotics programs in Illinois.
Each spring we conduct our Robotics Workshop for Girls to continue our mission to to get girls interested in STEM.
Our Battle of the Bots Tournament, held each year in early February, hosted thirty-eight teams and more than 300 people in 2016.
In 2015-16, we qualified 12 teams for the IL Middle School VEX Robotics State Championship and won 9 trophies, including the Tournament Champions Award.
VEX ROBOTICS:
brings in professionals to mentor students in the skills they need
enables students to learn STEM through hands-on projects
teaches teamwork, leadership, creativity, problem-solving and project management skills
builds a technologically literate work force and creates a pipeline for future employees
OPEF VEX Robotics Team Member
"From robotics I learned to be patient (even when things are stressful!), to communicate with teammates/peers and how to overcome things I never thought were possible for me to achieve."
Parent of OPEF VEX Robotics Team Member
“He’s not a sports program participant, so this was a marvelous way for him to be engaged with something. I was amazed to find him become a leader and ‘take charge’ guy when necessary. He grew highly skilled in problem solving and confident enough to be able to abandon solutions in favor of new solutions and consequences.”
OPEF VEX Robotics Female High School Mentor & Former Team Member
“What I didn’t know before I joined the VEX Robotics program is that I am really good at computer programming. This is something that I hope I can develop into a career and I have the VEX Robotics program to thank.”
Parent of OPEF VEX Robotics Team Member
“This was an amazingly positive experience for my daughter. . . She has had the invaluable experience of learning to speak her mind, think creatively, and be an active participant in a group setting.”
State and National Award ACCOMPLISHMENTS!
- Excellence Award
- 2 Tournament Champions
- Robot Skills Winner
- Build Award
- Design Award
- Sportsmanship Award
- Think Award
OPEF 2017 Battle of the Bots Middle School Tournament:
- 2 Tournament Champions
- 2 Tournament Finalists
- Robot Skills Winner
2016 Cougar VEX Starstruck Challenge:
- 2 Tournament Champions
- Tournament Champion
- Programming Skills Winner
- Robot Skills Winner
- Amaze Award
- Build Award
- Create Award
- Design Award
- Energy Award
- Sportsmanship Award
OPEF 2016 Battle of the Bots Middle School Tournament:
- Excellence Award
- Tournament Champion
- 3 Tournament Finalists
- Programming Skills Winner
- Robot Skills Winner
- Design Award
- Innovate Award
- Middle School Excellence Award
- Tournament Champion
- Middle School Design Award
- Programming Skills Award
- Sportsmanship Award
OPEF 2015 Battle of the Bots Middle School Tournament:
- Excellence Award
- Tournament Champion
- Tournament Finalist
- Programming Skills Award
- Robot Skills Award
- Design Award
- Build Award
- Innovate Award
- Judges Award
- Sportsmanship Award
- Think Award
2014 Illinois State Championship:
- Middle School Excellence Award
- Tournament Champion
OPEF 2014 Battle of the Bots Middle School Tournament:
- Tournament Champion
- Design Award
- Robot Skills Winner
- Innovate Award
Quarterfinals, 2013 U.S. National VEX Robotics Championship-Middle School Division
Tournament Finalists, 2013 Wildstang VEX Robotics Competition
“We Can’t Do It Without You”
$500 pays for one student to participate in OPEF’s VEX Robotics club and compete in tournaments.
Mary Beth Hausken
VEX Robotics Coordinator / mbhausken@opef.orgMary Beth Hausken began working with VEX Robotics in 2008 as the Julian Equipment Manager when her son joined the team. She became the Brooks/Julian Competition Event Director in 2010 and the VEX Robotics Coordinator in 2012. Mary Beth has a BA in Communications from Stephens College and has worked in both television and advertising. She has been an active organizer and volunteer in many community and school projects and was awarded the Those Who Excel Community Volunteer Award of Merit in 2011. She and her husband Phil have lived in Oak Park since 1987, where they've raised 3 children.
Kristi Braun
Kristi Braun has been an active volunteer with VEX Robotics since 2012, when her daughter first joined the program at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School. Kristi’s experience includes 16 years of sales, business and product development in the financial services industry. She most recently worked for Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry as Community Program Manager. Kristi has a BA in Business with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Photography from the University of Missouri. She resides in Oak Park with her husband and two daughters.
- OPEF VEX COACHES:
- Marc Bishop, Head Coach
- John McDowell, Head Coach
- Steve Olson, Coach
- Griffin Waterman, Coach
- OPEF VEX COACHES:
- Tim Walsh, Head Coach
- Kevin Berger, Coach
- Gretchen Junker, Coach
- Jessica Moncatch, Coach
- Jason Morrell, Coach
Join Our Growing Team of Sponsors
The following businesses and organizations provide financial support for OPEF VEX Robotics. Please show your appreciation by patronizing these businesses and thanking them for their support!
For more information on how you can support us, contact:, Mary Beth Hausken, OPEF VEX Robotics Program Coordinator.
GOLD SPONSOR ($2500+)
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SILVER SPONSOR ($1,000+)
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BOOSTER SPONSOR ($250+)
Volunteer with VEX
Frequently Asked Questions
More Information about OPEF VEX Robotics
- bringing in professionals to mentor students in the skills they need
- enabling students to learn STEM through hands-on projects
- teaching teamwork, leadership, creativity, problem-solving and project management skills
- building a technologically literate work force and creating a pipeline for future employees
The season ends with the Illinois State Championship, typically in early March.