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VEX Robotics

Level Up Skills Only by gainingSTEAM

Blended VEX IQ Robotics Competition ES/MS

Date
21-Oct-2026 Add to Calendar
Event Code
RE-VIQRC-26-5343
Program
VEX IQ Robotics Competition
Event Type
Open Tournament
Event Format
Skills Only
Field Control System
N/A
Capacity
40
Spots Open
-
Event Region
Nebraska
Max Registrations per Organization
13
Priority Registration Opens
18-Aug-2026 12:00 EDT
Standard Registration Opens
1-Sep-2026 12:00 EDT
Registration Deadline
21-Oct-2026 12:00 EDT
Payment Deadline
21-Oct-2026 02:00 EDT
Price
$10.00
This event is closed to registration because:
  • Registration opens at a future date.

General Info

Early Season VEX IQ Skills Only Event

gainingSTEAM is kicking off the VEX IQ season a little earlier than usual with a relaxed Skills Only event designed to give teams an easy way to get started.

This event is intended for both elementary and middle school teams and is especially welcoming to new, emerging, and early-season teams. Your robot does not need to be finished or fully functional to participate. Bring what you have, get some time on an official field, see the game in action, and use the evening as an opportunity to ask questions and learn from other teams and coaches.

Teams can make official Skills Challenge attempts throughout the evening, including both Driver Skills and Autonomous Coding Skills.

The event is only $10 per team, with proceeds supporting gainingSTEAM and our efforts to provide robotics opportunities, equipment, events, and resources for students throughout Nebraska.

Event Details

Wednesday, October 21, 2027
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Mary Our Queen School Cafeteria
3405 South 119th Street
Omaha, NE 68144

There is no expectation that teams arrive competition-ready. Whether you have a completed robot, a partially built robot, or simply want an early opportunity to better understand this year's game, you're welcome to participate.

Think of this as a soft launch into the season — a chance to get on the field, experiment, learn, ask questions, and start preparing for the tournaments ahead.

Students this season will design robots for the current VEX IQ game. Game information, rules, and resources can be found here:

https://www.vexrobotics.com/iq/competition/viqc-current-game

Skills Attempts

Skills Challenges will be available throughout the event. Teams may participate in Driver Skills and Autonomous Coding Skills attempts as time allows.

Because this is an informal early-season event, teams are encouraged to use the evening not only to record scores, but also to learn how Skills matches operate and become more comfortable with the field and game rules.

Arrival

Teams may arrive throughout the event window. Since there are no scheduled qualification matches, there is no traditional tournament check-in deadline.

Come when you can, bring your robot and team, and get some early-season field time!


Grade Level: All

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: No Judging

Event Dates & Locations

Date: 21-Oct-2026

Venue/Location:
Mary Our Queen School
3405 South 119th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68144
United States

Contact the Event Partner

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Agenda

Agenda

5:00 PM – Doors Open / Team Check-In
Teams may arrive, check in, set up, and begin preparing their robots.

5:15 PM – Welcome & Early Season Q&A
A brief welcome, overview of the evening, and an opportunity to cover early-season questions about the game, rules, Skills Challenges, and upcoming events.

5:30 PM – Skills Fields Open
Driver Skills and Autonomous Coding Skills attempts begin. Teams may also use available time to make adjustments, troubleshoot their robots, and ask questions.

5:30 PM – 7:15 PM – Skills Attempts & Open Field Time
Skills runs will continue throughout the evening. This is intended to be a relaxed early-season environment, so teams are encouraged to learn, experiment, and improve between attempts.

7:15 PM – Final Skills Runs

7:30 PM – Event Concludes

Volunteer

Get Inspired and Have Fun! Be a part of the excitement by joining a team of volunteers who help in a variety of ways to make this event a success for the students involved.

Volunteers will be coordinated at each individual League Play location, the overall Volunteer Coordinator is Tara Petersen ([email protected] or 402-871-3024).  League Play events last just over 2 hours, making League Events a great introduction to volunteering for VEX IQ.

Experience level: No previous experience is needed for most volunteer positions, and you can even bring your kids for a family activity (for example, Field Resetter is an ideal position for young children).

Want to learn more about these volunteer roles and expectations? Visit the Global Robotics & Science Foundation website at for VEX IQ Competition to view position descriptions and access volunteer training materials. Once you have an assigned volunteer role, please carefully review all guides and training materials posted on the Volunteer Resources page before the event.

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

If any session has to be cancelled, we will offer an additional session.

The event partner will contact teams if the event must be postponed. Teams should make sure their contact information is up to date on events.vex.com and includes both school and non-school phone numbers.

Refund and Payment Policies

If the Event Partner cancels the event: 

If the event is canceled before the first session, full refunds. After the first session, partial refunds may be made at the discretion of the Event Partner.

If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event and then chooses to withdraw or not attend:

Full refunds will be available until one week before the first session. After that, refunds based on special circumstances may be made at the discretion of the event partner. 

Judging Format

This event will not have judging.