Purdue CS K-12 Outreach: VEX and FIRST Robotics prepare students for their next giant leap

06-12-2025

Jessica Brewer, K-12 outreach administrator for Purdue's Department of Computer Science, and Brad Thompson, executive director and lead mentor of Westside Robotics.

 

In the world of robotics education, VEX Robotics and FIRST Robotics have emerged as powerful platforms for students at both the K-12 and college levels. Through hands-on learning, teamwork, and problem-solving, students involved in these programs gain valuable skills that prepare them for their next academic and professional steps.

Building a Foundation in STEM

Both VEX and FIRST Robotics competitions introduce K-12 students to engineering, programming, and critical thinking in engaging and competitive environments. By designing, building, and coding robots to complete complex challenges, students develop technical proficiency while also learning soft skills like teamwork and communication.

VEX Robotics focuses on modular, classroom-friendly robotics challenges that emphasize iterative design and programming, sharpening students’ coding and design iteration skills through accessible competition formats.

FIRST Robotics places a strong emphasis on large-scale engineering projects and industry mentorship, partnering students with industry professionals to take on real-world engineering problems.

“The industry professionals who volunteer as mentors bring invaluable experience and perspective, helping students shape their path and develop a vision of how their STEM skills can be applied as they explore college, careers, and the impact they want to make,” says Brad Thompson, Purdue Department of Computer Science alum and executive director and lead mentor of Westside Robotics. “The work that our students and mentors do builds critical mindsets that, in my experience hiring software engineers, are remarkably hard to find and really set these kids up for success.”

Bridging the Gap to Higher Education

For students transitioning to college, both programs serve as bridges, reinforcing key problem-solving skills and introducing them to more advanced technical concepts. Many universities, including Purdue, have VEX and that allow students to continue their robotics journey while applying their skills in more complex and collaborative projects.

At Purdue University, robotics plays a significant role in STEM engagement and education. Purdue’s student-led robotics organizations, including the Purdue FIRST Programs and the VEX U team, provide mentorship, training, and outreach to K-12 students. Purdue FIRST Programs collaborates with local schools and hosts robotics competitions to inspire the next generation of engineers. The university also supports research in robotics and automation, helping students apply their competition experience to real-world problems.

Preparing for the Future

Beyond academics, both VEX and FIRST Robotics equip students with skills that are highly valued in industry. The ability to work as part of a team, think critically under pressure, and iterate on designs based on real-world constraints mirrors the challenges faced by engineers and computer scientists in professional settings.

“What I love most about robotics is how naturally it teaches perseverance. Students get hands-on experience with challenges that don’t always have a quick fix—and that’s a good thing,” says Jessica Brewer, K-12 outreach coordinator for the Department of Computer Science. “Whether it’s a robot that won’t turn or code that needs tweaking, they’re learning to stick with it, to try again, and to believe they can figure it out. That’s the mindset we want to build—one that says, ‘I can do hard things.’ Through our outreach at Purdue, we’re helping teachers bring that message to life in classrooms across the state.”

Purdue CS Robotics Outreach

Seeing the impact of introducing robotics and computer science to K-12 students, the Purdue Computer Science K-12 Outreach Program is launching a new initiative to expand access to robotics and hands-on computer science education in K-12 classrooms. This program is modeled after Purdue’s successful Science Express program.

The program will introduce students to VEX Robotics, LEGO Spike Prime Robots, Micro:bits, Kaibots, and Sphero Indi bots, giving them hands-on experience in programming, problem-solving, and engineering concepts. By equipping classrooms with these tools and training, Purdue aims to bridge the gap between early STEM exposure and higher education, ensuring students develop foundational computing skills that prepare them for future opportunities in computer science, engineering, and robotics. More information can be found here. 

Purdue CS recognizes that VEX and FIRST Robotics are more than just competitions; they are comprehensive learning experiences that prepare students for success at every stage of their education. From fostering an interest in STEM in K-12 students to refining technical and teamwork skills in college, these programs continue to shape the next generation of innovators, computer scientists and engineers. The department’s active involvement further enhances the impact of these programs, providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for students to excel in robotics and beyond.

 

About the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University

Founded in 1962, the Department of Computer Science was created to be an innovative base of knowledge in the emerging field of computing as the first degree-awarding program in the United States. The department continues to advance the computer science industry through research. US News & Reports ranks Purdue CS #8 in computer engineering and #19 and #16 and #18 overall in undergraduate and graduate computer science, respectively. Additionally the program is ranked 6th in cybersecurity, 8th in software engineering, 13th in systems, 15th in programming languages and data analytics, and 18th in theory. Graduates of the program are able to solve complex and challenging problems in many fields. Our consistent success in an ever-changing landscape is reflected in the record undergraduate enrollment, increased faculty hiring, innovative research projects, and the creation of new academic programs. The increasing centrality of computer science in academic disciplines and society, and new research activities—centered around foundations and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, such as natural language processing, human computer interaction, vision, and robotics, as well as systems and security—are the future focus of the department. cs.purdue.edu