How to Prepare for Level Up as a First-Year Team
A practical six-week plan for brand-new VEX IQ teams and for existing programs with new students. Register, build the Hero Bot, start the notebook, and put a low-pressure first event on the calendar.
Nebraska VEX IQ Robotics
Celebrating Nebraska's STEAM Excellence
Empowering Nebraska's future through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education.
- 16Tournaments
- 426Students
- 71Teams
- 107Volunteers
Celebrating Nebraska's STEAM Excellence
At gainingSTEAM, we spotlight the achievements of Nebraska students in robotics and STEM, while honoring the educators, mentors, and families who support them.
Together, we're building the future of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in our state.
With every competition, project, and program, we're inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders.
By the numbers
What we bring to every tournament
Schools and clubs across Nebraska host VEX IQ robotics tournaments. We bring the fields, the technology, and the trained volunteers it takes to run one.
- 3fields at every event: two for matches and one for skills, so more students get field time
- 100%of the equipment and on-site tech support at every tournament we partner with
- 107volunteers trained as referees, judges, and field crew in our first season
- 16tournaments supported across Nebraska in 2025, our first season
What We Offer
Complete Tournament Solutions
We're proud to support Nebraska's robotics community. Our programs help make tournaments possible and provide teams with the resources and training they need to succeed.
- Tournament Equipment: Fields, scoring systems, displays
- Professional Training: Coaches, judges, and referees
- Team Support: Mentoring and resource sharing
- Event Logistics: Setup, delivery, and technical assistance
Fuel Nebraska's STEAM Future
Your donation makes robotics competitions possible across Nebraska. Every contribution helps us provide tournament equipment, support coaches, and create memorable experiences for students discovering their STEAM potential.
Your Impact:
- $125 covers one month of tournament equipment storage
- $200 provides a coaches appreciation lunch at tournaments
- $700 purchases VEX IQ kits for STEM camps
- $995 funds field risers for better tournament viewing
In our first season we supported 16 tournaments and 426 students across Nebraska. Join us in making STEAM education accessible to every student who dreams of building the future.
Latest News & Updates
The Notebook Rubric Changed. Here's How to Be Ready.
A student's guide to judging changes for the 2026-27 season, including the three new summaries teams submit, what is new in the notebook rubric, and what your team can start doing at your very next meeting.
The 2026-27 VEX IQ Season Is Here
Level Up is underway. Register your teams, learn the game, and start with a low-pressure Skills Only event on Sunday, October 25 where your robot does not need to be finished.
Practice Level Up Anywhere with VEX Virtual Skills
VEX IQ Virtual Skills is live for the 2026-27 Level Up season — free virtual autonomous coding and driving practice in VEXcode VR for any registered team, no field required.
Getting Ready for the 2026-27 Season
Summer resources to prep your VEX IQ team for Level Up — the Hero Bot "Flop," the game manual and competition videos, registration details, and the new Global Robotics & Science Foundation library.