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Nelson Team Grants

Nelson Team Grant Recipients: Lists and Maps

Nelson Team Grants seek to enable Title I and STEM-focused elementary and middle schools (grades 4-8) in the Los Angeles area (especially LAUSD) to start teams to participate in the VEX IQ Challenge robotics program. Our goal is to inspire students to pursue STEM degrees and careers. We provide schools with the resources needed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

2018 Nelson Team Grants provide award recipients with the following equipment (total cost: $810 plus tax) plus the first-year team registration fee ($150):

  • VEX IQ Super Kit
  • $330
  • VEX IQ Competition Add-On Kit
  • $100
  • VEX IQ Foundation Add-On Kit
  • $80
  • VEX IQ Challenge Full Field Perimeter & Tiles
  • $200
  • VEX IQ Challenge [Current Game] Full Field & Game Elements Kit
  • $100
  • VEX IQ Challenge Team Registration (first year only)
  • $150

Only schools that are not currently participating in the VEX IQ Challenge are eligible. Schools that receive Nelson Team Grants are required to register a VEX IQ Challenge team ($150 registration fee paid by grant the first year) and to register that team for and to attend an official event (typical fee $100) each year. Schools should plan to spend $100 the first year for event registration and $400 each subsequent year for team and event registrations, for field and game element kits, and for additional robot parts.

Nelson Team Grant Agreement

If my school receives a Nelson Team Grant, I understand that my school will have use of the provided robotics equipment for as long as my team fulfills the following conditions. A new VEX IQ Challenge season starts after the VEX Robotics World Championships in April each year.

  • The coaches/mentors and administration at my school support creating a sustainable VEX IQ Challenge program.
  • The equipment will be stored in a safe, clean location.
  • The equipment will be used for official VEX IQ Challenge events or activities each season.
  • My team will complete and pay team registration each season.
  • My team will register for and will attend at least one official event each season.
  • I will participate in post-season surveys to assure that the above conditions have been fulfilled.

In the future, if my team no longer fulfills the conditions above, I will make arrangements to return the robotics equipment so that it can be made available to another deserving school.

2018 Nelson Team Grant Process

  • School submits Nelson Team Grant application.
  • LeRoy Nelson reviews and approves application.
  • Prior to May 2, 2018, if school is ready to start a team and is in a Local District with a confirmed new League host (Central, East, or West):
    • LeRoy orders VEX IQ Super Kit for school. The Super Kit ships in one box and weighs 10 pounds.
    • LeRoy sends school shipping confirmation, instructions to organize team, and frequently asked questions.
    • School organizes team(s) to learn how to build and program VEX IQ robots.
  • After May 1, LeRoy sends school instructions to register team and frequently asked questions.
  • School registers team. No payment or student names are needed.
    • Teams registered by June 12 will have their robot equipment delivered before school offices close for the summer.
    • Teams registered by August 3 will have their robot equipment delivered before the first day of classes.
  • School forwards team registration order confirmation to LeRoy.
  • LeRoy pays the team registration fee for one first-year team. A small box containing a Team Welcome Kit should arrive approximately one week later.
  • LeRoy orders VEX IQ robot equipment, field, and game kits for school. The equipment order, including the Super Kit, ships in 6 boxes that weigh a total of 70 pounds. The Super Kit may have been shipped earlier. If any items are out of stock, shipments could be delayed up to 6 weeks.
  • LeRoy sends school shipping confirmations, instructions to organize team, and frequently asked questions.
  • School organizes team(s) to learn how to build and program VEX IQ robots.
  • LeRoy works with Local Districts to organize leagues for local schools to attend.
  • LeRoy sends school instructions in September to register for leagues and other events.
  • School registers team for at least one official event (league or tournament).
  • School forwards event registration order confirmation(s) to LeRoy.
  • Team attends event(s).
  • Top teams qualify for State Championships and/or U.S. Open Championship.

2018 Nelson Team Grant Application

2018 Nelson Team Grant Application (Word document, 2 pages, 28 KB)

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, August 31, 2018. Revised March 6, 2018.

Team Documents

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
VEX IQ Robot Builds, including Flex (PDF) and Clawbot (PDF and Annimated)
How to Start and Organize a VEX IQ Challenge Team (PDF)
Tips for Teams to Prepare for Events (PDF)
Code of Conduct (PDF)
Safety at an Event (PDF)
Participant Release Form (English) (PDF)   -- Includes instructions to upload forms
Participant Release Form (Spanish) (PDF)
Volunteer Roles Overview (PDF)
Coach Orientation for LAUSD VEX IQ Leagues Slides (PDF)

VEX IQ Challenge Next Level Documents and Videos

VEX IQ Challenge Overview   Play Overview Video on YouTube
One Page Description (PDF)
Game Video (MOV, 158 MB)   Play Game Video on YouTube
Game Manual (PDF)
Referee Score Sheet (PDF)
Field Appendix (PDF)
Inspection Checklist (PDF)
Awards Appendix (PDF)
Awards Rubrics (PDF)
STEM Research Project and Presentation (PDF)

2018-2019 VEX IQ Challenge: 10 Leagues

LAUSD Central VEX IQ League at Garvanza Elementary Technology & Leadership Magnet
LAUSD Central VEX IQ League at Barack Obama Global Preparation Academy
LAUSD East VEX IQ Early Elementary League at Elizabeth Learning Center
LAUSD East VEX IQ Late League at Elizabeth Learning Center
LAUSD East VEX IQ League at Belvedere Middle School
LAUSD NW VEX IQ Elementary League at Mulholland MS
LAUSD NW VEX IQ Middle School League at Mulholland MS
LAUSD South VEX IQ League at Samuel Gompers Middle School
LAUSD West VEX IQ League at Augustus Hawkins High School
LAUSD West VEX IQ League at Mark Twain Middle School

Four returning leagues (at Mulholland MS and Elizabeth LC) and six new leagues.

  • Session 1 for new leagues: Orientation, Teamwork Practice Matches,
    and Teamwork Qualifying Matches
  • Session 1 for returning leagues: Teamwork Qualifying Matches
  • Sessions 2-4: Teamwork Qualifying Matches
  • Session 5 (Championship): Robot Skills Matches and Judging followed by
    Teamwork Finals Matches and Awards
Local
District		 League Host
School Name		 Start
Time
/ Fee		 Coach
Orien-
tation		 League Session Dates
Qual 1 Qual 2 Qual 3 Qual 4 Champ 5
All Obama Global
Prep Academy		 8:00
Free		 Saturday
09/15		 Coach Basic Training (Voluntary PD)
Central Garvanza Tech
& Ldr Magnet		 3:30
$100		 Thurs
08/23		 Thurs
09/20		 Thurs
10/18		 Thurs
11/15		 Thurs
12/06		 Thurs
01/24
Central Obama Global
Prep Academy		 4:00
$100		 Thurs
09/13		 Thurs
09/27		 Thurs
10/25		 Thurs
11/29		 Thurs
12/13		 Thurs
01/17
East Belvedere MS 4:00
$100		 Mon
08/27		 Fri
09/07		 Fri
10/05		 Fri
11/02		 Fri
12/07		 Fri
01/11
East Elizabeth LC
Early League		 4:00
$100		 Go to
Belvedere		 Fri
09/14		 Fri
10/19		 Fri
11/09		 Wed
12/05		 Fri
01/18
East Elizabeth LC
Late League		 4:30
$100		 Go to
Belvedere		 Fri
09/14		 Fri
10/19		 Fri
11/09		 Wed
12/05		 Fri
01/18
NW Mulholland MS
ES League		 4:00
$150		 -- Fri
09/21		 Fri
10/19		 Fri
11/30		 -- Thu
01/17
NW Mulholland MS
MS League		 4:00
$150		 -- Fri
10/12		 Fri
11/02		 Fri
12/07		 -- Fri
01/25
South Samuel
Gompers MS		 3:30
$100		 Wed
09/12		 Fri
09/28		 Fri
10/26		 Fri
11/16		 Fri
12/14		 Fri
01/25
West Augustus
Hawkins HS		 4:00
$100		 Mon
09/17		 Mon
09/24		 Mon
10/22		 Mon
11/05		 Mon
12/03		 Mon
01/14
West Mark Twain MS 4:00
$100		 Go to
Hawkins		 Mon
10/01		 Mon
10/15		 Mon
11/26		 Mon
12/10		 Mon
01/28

2018 Nelson Team Grants: 130 Recipient Schools

2017-2018 VEX IQ Challenge Ringmaster: 5 Leagues

LAUSD LD East Elementary Early VEX IQ League at Elizabeth LC, LAUSD LD East
LAUSD LD East Late VEX IQ League at Elizabeth LC, LAUSD LD East
2017 LAUSD NW Rookie Elementary School VEX IQ League at Mulholland MS, LAUSD LD Northwest
2017 LAUSD NW Returning Elementary School VEX IQ League at Mulholland MS, LAUSD LD Northwest
2017 LAUSD NW Middle School VEX IQ League at Mulholland MS, LAUSD LD Northwest

2017 Nelson Team Grants: 68 Recipient Schools

2016-2017 VEX IQ Challenge Crossover: 2 Leagues

Elementary VEX IQ Robotics League at Mulholland MS, LAUSD LD Northwest
Middle School VEX IQ Robotics League at Mulholland MS, LAUSD LD Northwest

2016 Nelson Team Grants: 16 Recipient Schools

2015-2016 VEX IQ Challenge Bank Shot: 1 League

VEX IQ MULHOLLAND ROBOTICS LEAGUE, LAUSD LD Northwest

2015 Nelson Team Grants: 19 Recipient Schools

Never Give Up: The Journey of Bassett Robotics

Inspiring video about how the robotics team from Bassett Street Elementary School
made it to the State Championships and VEX World Championships their second year.

About the Sponsors

Nelson Team Grants are sponsored by Anita L. Nelson, MD and LeRoy E. Nelson.

Dr. Anita Nelson is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology the Keck School of Medicine at USC, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. She is also Medical Director of the Research Division of Essential Access Health. She has published over 200 articles in professional journals, 70 chapters in medical textbooks, and over a dozen medical textbooks. She enjoys judging VEX IQ Challenge STEM Research Project presentations.

LeRoy is a retired software engineering manager who has enthusiastically supported youth robotics since his twin sons joined a high school robotics team in 2001. From 2007 to 2014, he volunteered as the Los Angeles Region FIRST LEGO League Operational Partner, growing that program from 75 teams to 300 teams. For the next three years, he worked part time as a Regional Support Manager for the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, helping grow the VEX Robotics programs in California from under 700 teams to over 1600 teams. LeRoy retired from the REC Foundation early in 2017, but he is still passionate about growing the VEX IQ Challenge robotics program in the Los Angeles area. LeRoy was inducted into the REC Foundation STEM Hall of Fame as the 2018 VEX IQ Volunteer of the Year at the 2018 VEX World Championships in Louisville KY. LeRoy is also passionate about education. He holds a Lifetime Secondary Teaching Credential in Math and Physics. He has taught math and robotics. He served on the Board of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation for ten years, on the Board of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District for four years, and on the Board of the Southern California Regional Occupational Center for three years.

Additional Information

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
Home office phone: (310) 937-7226