VEX Volunteering Experience

by Fengdi Deng

Last weekend, I volunteered at a VEX robotics competition, and it was an incredible experience. I took photos of the competitors and saw the entire process of the event. Students from schools across Massachusetts were extremely passionate, and the atmosphere was vibrant and energetic.

The competition itself can be full of dramatic moments. For example, one team performed well initially, earning points by moving the blocks into the correct positions. A boy on the team was so excited that he jumped up and cheered for his teammates. But in the last 10 seconds, one of his teammates made a big mistake. Even though the boy seemed upset, he encouraged his team, saying they did a great job. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Throughout the event, the atmosphere was encouraging, and everyone cheered for others, even if they weren’t on the same team.

The participants’ emotions were evident everywhere. I noticed how they learned to accept small failures and quickly reorganize their focus for the next round. During lunch, I went to the lounge to rest and saw the same boy working with his team to adjust data and practice operating the robot. He didn’t dwell on the earlier mistake, instead, he worked even harder.

I was also amazed at how organized middle school students can be. They had clear plans for teamwork, knowing exactly who would handle each task. Even as a high schooler, I found it inspiring to see how focused and coordinated they were.

Another thing that stood out was their courage to question decisions. A young girl on one team challenged a judge’s score, believing her team deserved more points. She calmly explained why her team should receive the points and didn’t blindly accept the decision. Her clear thinking and bravery were impressive, even though the judge’s original score was correct.

Volunteering at this event made me realize that robotics competitions are not just about building and operating robots. They foster teamwork, teach students how to handle failure, and encourage them to think critically and speak up when necessary. These are lessons that will benefit them for life.

For anyone considering competing in VEX: don’t hesitate. Be ready to face challenges and occasional failures. Communicate with your teammates and cheer for them, because they are your partners and supporters. And if you lose some points, don’t feel discouraged, use it as motivation to push further.