Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy

Use educational affordances of robotics to create CS-STEM opportunities for all learners

Certified ROBOTC Training for VEX Cortex (Anytime Online)

To follow along with this course, you will need access to VEX Cortex hardware and the ROBOTC for VEX Robotics programming software (not included with tuition). In this web-based teacher training, you will learn to teach programming and STEM using robotics. Tuition includes online access to CS2N and Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Training Materials.

This course focuses on learning how to teach programming and additional STEM concepts using the VEX Cortex robot. You can earn professional development credits and a Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Certification by completing various assignments throughout the course and passing an exam.

Teachers using PLTW curriculum are welcome to join and will benefit from a deeper understanding of the programming, computational thinking, pedagogical concepts, robot hardware, and troubleshooting techniques we focus on. The Project Lead the Way teachers we have worked with have found our training to be a highly valuable complement to the PTLW training.

Syllabus

Session 1: Introduction and Basic Movement

– What is a robot?
– VEX EDR Hardware
– ROBOTC Overview
– Natural Language with Graphical
– Movement and Turning
– Proportionality and Movement
– Labyrinth Challenge
Session 2: Improved Movement

– Shaft Encoder Overview
– Forward for Distance
– Programming Structures
– Programming Logic
– Calculating Distance
– Labyrinth Challenge Revisited
Session 3: Remote Control

– Transmitter Overview
– VEXnet Overview
– Basic Remote Control
– Mapping Functions
– Timers
– Minefield Removal Challenge
Session 4: Robot Sensors Part 1

– Sense-Plan-Act Overview
– Touch Sensors, Ultrasonic Rangefinder, and Potentiometers
– ROBOTC Debugger
– Thresholds
– Sensor Challenges
Session 5: Robot Sensors Part 2

– Line Tracking Sensors
– Gyro Sensor
– LCD Screen
– Competition Programming

The following is required is required to take this course:

VEX EDR Robot Kit – Sold Separately
We recommend the EDR Super Bundle which contains the hardware necessary for the class. Please call 412-963-7310 for more information.
ROBOTC for VEX Programming Software
– ROBOTC for VEX Robotics software

Computer System Requirements

– Windows® XP, VISTA, 7, 8 or later / Mac® OSX 10.8 or later
– Internet Explorer 9.0 or later / Mozilla Firefox® 18.0 or later / Safari 6 or later
– Adobe Reader 7 or later (Adobe Reader 9 included for PC)
– Two available USB ports for robot and optional headset
– Broadband internet connection

Additional Materials

– Black electrical tape
– Hard, flat, blank surface approximately 8′ x 4′ in size.
– Yard or Meter stick
– Twelve 3″ tubes (e.g. toilet paper rolls, PVC pipes, etc…)
– Twelve plastic balls, 4″ to 5″ diameter (e.g. play-pen balls)
– Hardcover books (or other objects to act as obstacles)
– Plastic drink container ( or other containers)

Tuition Cost - $299

Use the links to the right to register or checkout instantly. 

Upon Completion

– ACT 48 credits / 36 hours per class (for Pennsylvania teachers only)
– Certificate of Completion of course ‘graduates’ – may be used to apply for Continuing Education hours

1. Eligibility

  • Courses are open to individuals 18 years of age or older who are educators, coaches, or professionals.

  • International enrollment is subject to applicable U.S. export control laws and may be restricted where prohibited.

  • CMRA reserves the right to verify eligibility and decline enrollment or remove participants who provide false information or violate these policies.


2. Registration & Payment

  • Each registration is valid for one participant only.

  • Course materials, recordings, and login credentials are non-transferable. Other educators from the same school or organization must register separately to gain access.

  • Registrants must provide accurate, current information during registration.

  • Payment may be made via credit card or institutional purchase order. Contact cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu for purchase order arrangements.

  • Payments processed through the CMRA online store are subject to a 3% credit card processing fee, deducted from any applicable refund.


3. Refund Policy

  • Refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu .

  • Requests made at least 14 calendar days prior to the class start date will receive a refund, minus the 3% processing fee.

  • No refunds will be issued once:

    • A class is full, or

    • The request is made within 14 calendar days of the class start date.


4. Course Cancellation or Changes

  • CMRA reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses due to low enrollment, instructor availability, or other unforeseen circumstances.

  • If a course is canceled, registrants will be offered:

    • A full refund (minus applicable processing fees), or

    • The option to transfer to a future session. Participants who choose to transfer to a future session waive their right to request a refund for that registration.

  • Instructors, schedules, and course content are subject to change.


5. Health Policy for In-Person Trainings

  • Participants should not attend onsite training if they are sick or experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness.

  • CMRA will make every effort to provide:

    • Substitute online access to training materials, or

    • Placement in a future training cohort (if available) at no additional cost, provided advance notice is given where possible.


6. Technology Requirements (Online Courses)

  • Participants are responsible for having:

    • A reliable computer and stable internet connection,

    • A modern web browser, and

    • Any required hardware and software specified in the course description.

  • Internet access and bandwidth costs are the responsibility of the participant. CMRA is not liable for disruptions caused by a participant’s technical limitations or network issues.


7. Course Materials & Copyright

  • All course materials are the intellectual property of CMRAUnauthorized sharing, duplication, or redistribution of course materials is prohibited.

  • Materials are provided for personal, non-commercial use only by the registered participant.

  • Printing or downloading materials is allowed solely for participation in the course or for approved instructional use as outlined by CMRA.

  • Recordings and course presentations are hosted for up to one year after course completion. Participants are responsible for downloading any materials they wish to keep long-term.


8. Code of Conduct

  • Participants must treat instructors and peers with professionalism and respect.

  • Harassment, discriminatory behavior, or academic dishonesty will result in immediate removal from the course without refund.

  • Unauthorized access or distribution of course materials is grounds for removal and potential denial of future registration.


9. Accessibility and Accommodations

  • CMRA is committed to providing inclusive learning opportunities.

  • Requests for accommodations must be submitted in writing to cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu at least one month before the course begins.

  • Services may be modified or withdrawn if participants fail to engage or participate as required for delivery of accommodations.


10. Privacy and Data Use

  • Personal information (such as name, mailing address, or email) provided during registration is used only to administer courses, respond to inquiries, and provide CMRA updates.

  • In online chat areas, participants should be aware that their username or email may be visible to others.

  • CMRA will not share personal data with third parties except as required by law or legal process.


11. Coursework Use

  • CMRA may use coursework produced by students to advance its educational mission or for research purposes.

  • When this occurs, participants will be given the option to have their name credited to the material.


12. Certification and Completion

  • Certificates are awarded upon successful completion of all course requirements, including:

    • Completion of all required assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor, and

    • Passing the certification exam, where applicable.

  • Certificates are issued digitally and are not equivalent to CMU academic credit, unless explicitly stated.


13. Indemnification

  • Participants agree to indemnify and hold CMRA harmless from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from their participation in the course, including infringement of third-party rights.


14. Limitation of Liability

  • All services and materials are provided “as is.”

  • CMRA is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages related to course participation.


15. Policy Revisions

  • Policies are subject to change.

  • The most current version will always be made available on the CMRA registration site or learning platform.


Contact

For questions or clarification, please email cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu.