Nobody is born knowing how to run a robotics team. Here's how coaches level up around here.
gainingSTEAM training sessions
We run training sessions through the season — on our events calendar alongside tournaments — covering the season's game, how matches and events run, and hands-on time with fields and equipment. They're built for volunteers and coaches; going to one before your first competition removes most of the day-one mystery.
Mentors
Through our Team Support & Mentoring program, we connect new coaches with experienced ones in the Nebraska robotics community — sometimes a one-time question answered, sometimes a season-long sounding board. Email us and tell us what you're wrestling with.
Official VEX / Global Robotics resources
The authoritative competition resources — the game manual, judging and award criteria, referee training, and certifications — live with VEX and Global Robotics in their library. Two habits worth building:
- Skim the current game manual early in the season; your students will out-read you otherwise.
- If you'll wear other hats at events (many coaches do), the official certifications are open to you too.
VEX PD+
VEX runs its own professional-development platform, VEX PD+ — courses, videos, and a resource library built around coaching and teaching with VEX IQ, including a VEX IQ Educator Certification course. A lot of what new coaches ask us is answered there in course form, and it pairs well with the hands-on training above.
There's no separate signup: you sign in with your VEX account — the same one you used to register your team — and a VEX account already entitles you to a set of resources and the free intro courses. If you don't have one yet, or want the steps, see Create a PD+ Account.
Learn by volunteering
Honestly the fastest coach education is working an event: volunteer at a tournament your team isn't attending — one shift as a queuer or scorekeeper teaches you more about tournament flow than a season of spectating.