VEX ROBOTICS
DESIGNING AND BUILDING ROBOTS ON TEAMSBROOKS MIDDLE SCHOOL
OPEF VEX COACHES:
Brian Shinners, Competitive and In-House Head Coach
Marc Bishop, Competitive League Coach
Joe Casanovas, Competitive League Coach
Tasia Pena-Rodriguez, In-House Coach
JULIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
OPEF VEX COACHES:
Tim Walsh, Competitive League Head Coach
Kevin Berger, Competitive League Coach
Jason Morrell, Competitive League Coach
Miranda Tucker, Competitive League Coach
Gretchen Junker, In-House Club Coach
Valerie Brown, In-House Club Coach
2020-2021 SEASON
Due to safety concerns, we are not currently planning to run a competitive robotics league for the 2020-2021 school year. We hope to be able to offer an in-house experience, but will know more as plans for the school year progress.
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
Launched in 2005, OPEF’s VEX Robotics is an award-winning program that brings together students and teachers to design, build and program robots. This innovative program uses the excitement of competitive sports to deeply engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We invest in cutting-edge technology and top-notch coaching, and are committed to enhancing our program every year.
The Competitive League is led by four teacher-coaches and relies on high school mentors and adult volunteers to engage students with more than 100 hours of hands-on learning during a season. The six-month season includes three local competitions and a culminating championship called Battle of the Bots. Our 2019 tournament hosted 42 teams, which included 12 teams from each District 97 middle school and 18 from five regional middle schools.
The In-House Club is an “intramural” option created in 2016 for younger middle school students who need an introduction to robotics or want a less intensive experience. The in-house club meets once a week for 12 weeks during a fall and spring season. It is an ideal stepping stone for sixth graders or beginners interested in learning more about designing and coding robots before diving into the more time-consuming competitive league.
VEX ROBOTICS:
- 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
- is open to all District 97 students
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.”
AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
OPEF 2019 Battle of the Bots League Championship:
- Excellence Award
- Tournament Champion
- Tournament Finalists
- Robot Skills Winner
- Design Award
- Think Award
- Sportsmanship Award
OPEF 2018 Battle of the Bots League Championship:
- Excellence Award
- Tournament Champion
- Tournament Finalists
- Robot Skills Winner
- Design Award
- Think Award
- Sportsmanship Award
2017 IL Middle School State Championship:
- 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
2016 IL Middle School State Championship:
- 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
2015 Illinois State Championship:
- 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
SEE US IN ACTION
VEX Robotics Competition Tower Takeover: 2019 – 2020 VRC Game
VEX Robotics Competition Turning Point: 2018-2019 VRC Game
Battle of the Bots 2017
“WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU”
It costs more than $700 for one student to participate in the VEX Robotics Competitive League and compete in tournaments. OPEF pays for all coaching, mentors, equipment and tournament fees. A portion of this cost is offset by a participation fee, which is waived or reduced for families facing financial hardships.
Michele Velarde McAndrews
VEX ROBOTICS COORDINATOR
Michele Velarde McAndrews, who started as OPEF’s Robotics coordinator in 2018, lives in Oak Park with her husband and three teenage children. For the past 15 years Michele has been an active volunteer in the Oak Park community, serving on the board of Pilgrim Community Nursery School, as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and VEX Robotics Parent Mentor. Michele also ran Brooks PTO fundraiser since 2013. Before moving to Oak Park, Michele enjoyed a successful career in management and customer service.