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 2023-2024 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 listed in the table below.

Returning Schools that received Nelson Team Grants previously but that did not participate in the 2022-2023 season are eligible to apply for Returning Team Awards. This award offers a (2nd Gen) IQ Robot Battery (Li-Ion) ($50) for each paid returning team that did not receive one last 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 ($100) for each field that needs to be expanded.

Returning schools that pay to register more teams for the 2023-2024 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 third Additional Teams Award. The items included in these awards are listed 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 $637 each subsequent year for team registration ($200), event registration ($155), full game and field element kit ($182), and additional robot parts ($100). Schools with more than one field will need to purchase a full game and field element kit ($182) 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 ($150 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 schools instructions to register team(s) and team contacts if they have not already registered and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).
• School registers team(s) and team contacts. No payment or student names are 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 coaches from new schools attend Coach Basic Training.
• Training provided by LeRoy Nelson and experienced coaches.
• Covers robot building, introduction to programming, and team logistics.
• No prior robotics or technical experience is required to be a VIQRC Robotics Competition coach.
• Coaches bring a portable computer (Windows, MacBook, iPad, or Chromebook) that the team(s) can use later.
• Coaches only need to know how to use a computer browser, preferably Chrome.
• Everything else that coaches need to know will be covered at this training.
• Offered the week before school starts and later as needed.
• Offered in-person and via Zoom.
• Attendance is optional for coaches with experience at another school or for coaches that attended similar training. Discuss with LeRoy.
• Schools may receive some VIQRC equipment at or after this training.
• Coaches may attend Coach Advanced Training.
• Training provided by LeRoy Nelson and experienced coaches.
• Covers programming, Online Challenges, Awards.
• This training is intended for coaches with one year of experience and/or with some experienced or GATE students.
• New coaches that attended Coach Basic Training may also attend this training.
• Coaches with more than one year of experience coaching robotics teams may attend this training and help train less experienced coaches.
• Offered the week before school starts and later as needed.
• In August and September, LeRoy provides VIQRC equipment, full fields, and game kits for schools with trained coaches and registered 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 Regions to organize and post leagues for local schools to attend.
• In September, LeRoy sends school instructions to register teams(s) for leagues and other events.
• 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 adult coach (usually a teacher) for each team.
• Top teams qualify for Regional Championships and World Championships.

Our goal is to start 25 new schools and 25 additional teams, restart 50 dormant teams, and support 240 returning teams this season, which will require starting 4 new leagues and supporting 10 returning leagues and 4 returning Regional Championships.

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

All new schools are expected to send one or more coaches to attend Coach Basic Training.

Coaches that attended Coach Basic Training may also attend Coach Advanced Training.

All new coaches of teams participating in a league are expected attend a League Orientation, if offered.

Most leagues meet after school four times between October and January:

• Early October: League Orientations for coaches.
• October: Qualifying Session 1: Practice Teamwork Matches and Qualification Teamwork Matches.
• November and December: Qualifying Sessions 2-3: Qualification Teamwork Matches.
• January: Remote Judging and Championship Session: Skills Matches followed by Finals Matches and Awards.
• Most league sessions start at 4:00 PM.
• League Orientations end by 5:30 PM for coaches, by 7:00 PM for league volunteers.
• Qualifying Sessions end by 7:00 PM.
• Championship Sessions end by 7:45 PM.

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.

2023 Nelson Team Grant Application (Word document, 4 pages, updated 05/14/23)

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 22, 2023.
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