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Robotics

 

Designing, Building, Programming, and Driving Robots

 

At Hewitt, every student gets hands-on experience designing, building, programming, and driving robots. Beginning in lower school, students learn foundational programming skills using VEX 123 and VEX GO, two robotics platforms designed especially for young learners. In middle and high school, students continue to study robotics through their classes and also have the option to join Hewitt Robotics, our competitive VEX EDR and VEX IQ robotics programs. Through robotics, all Hewitt students learn a wide range of critical real-world skills including computer programming, problem solving, iteration, collaboration, and teamwork. 

 

Hewitt is the only girls’ school in New York City with a competitive VEX Robotics program. 

   

Highlights of Our Robotics Program
Three students crowd around a table covered in wooden bridges made of popsicle sticks and small robots with blue lights.
Lower School Robotics

As they engineer bridges and program Beebots to travel through a mock neighborhood, kindergarteners learn how to communicate directionality and explore foundational programming concepts including sequences, conditionals, loops, and debugging.

A student sits in profile with an iPad and small LEGO train in front of her.
Lower School Robotics

Through robotics, students learn to ask questions and solve real world problems. For example, Hewitt second graders use LEGO robotics kits to build earthquake simulators that test the stability of their mini structures.

Four students sit on the floor with iPads and small robotic vehicles following a red line on the ground.
Lower School Robotics

Using VEX Go robotics kits, lower schoolers build motorized cars and articulated grabbers, then program their builds using a block-based programming language. 

Two students lean over a robot holding wires and tools. One is in a black sweater, the other a blue sweatshirt.
Middle School Robotics

Eighth graders practice constructing robots using the same VEX Robotics kits our high school robotics teams use. 

Two Hewitt students and two competitors from another school stand near a robotics field during competition
Middle School Robotics

Middle school Hewitt Robotics teams compete against peers from across the city at a VEX IQ qualifying tournament.

Three students stand over a desk where a blue and white finch robot is drawing a blue square on a piece of paper.
Middle School Robotics

Middle school students program Finch robots to draw shapes and solve for area and perimeter.

Two students sit on the ground holding and looking intently at a tractor tread.
Middle School Robotics

Middle schoolers design and build their own unique robots to exhibit at Robo Expo. These sixth graders used a tractor tread to create a miniature amusement park robot that could lift and drop passengers. 

A student sits in front of a blue Hewitt Robotics banner working on building a robot
Upper School Robotics

During summer preseason, Hewitt Robotics teams return to campus to begin designing and refining the robots they will use in competition.

Three students stand in a gym holding a VEX robotics award. They are all wearing navy Hewitt Robotics sweatshirts.
Upper School Robotics

Hewitt Robotics Team Y took home a design award at the 2023 VEX Robotics New York State qualifier.

Two students stand up and work on building a robot. One is using a screwdriver.
Upper School Robotics

An upper school Hewitt Robotics team builds their drivetrain and refines their robot design for an upcoming VEX Robotics Challenge. 

Three students wear safety goggles and hold robotics controllers. They stand in front of a robotics game field.
Upper School Robotics

After earning a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championship, Hewitt Robotics Team V traveled to Dallas, Texas to compete against the top 800 teams in the world. 

Hewitt Robotics teams have won awards and recognition at regional, state, national, and world championships.

Hewitt Robotics shield with a blue, orange, and white Hawk graphic

   

Hewitt Robotics Accolades

Since the program began in 2015, Hewitt Robotics teams have earned an impressive list of accolades, including:

VEX State Championships

  • 4 x NY VEX IQ Teamwork Challenge Winners (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020)
  • 2 x NY VEX IQ Excellence Award Winners (2018, 2020)
  • 2 x NY VEX IQ Robotics Skills Award Winners (2016, 2020)
  • 2 x NY VEX IQ Design Award Winners (2018, 2020)
  • 1 x NY VEX Teamwork Award Winner (2020)
  • 1 X NY VEX Think Award (2022)
  • 1 x NY VEX Tournament Finalist (2023)

VEX United States Open Championships

  • 1 x Tournament Finalists (2022)


VEX World Championships

  • 10 Invitations to the VEX World Championships 
  • Ranked 4th place out of 80 in the Technology Division (2018)
  • Ranked 19th overall out of 3000 teams (2017)
  • 1 X VEX Worlds Sportsmanship Award (2022)
Robotics News