CS-STEM Curriculum

Select a curriculum below for more information

Fabrication Foundations (through VRC)

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Fabrication Foundations (through VRC)

VRC: Applying for your Fabrication Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by RECF and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through VRC.

The Fabrication Foundations Micro-Certification covers cutting, measuring, drilling, and 3D printing which are commonly performed by technicians on robotics systems.

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:
  • (Optional) Review the lesson materials to brush up and see what is covered by the exam 
  • [REQUIRED] Upload photos of your work to your portfolio according to the prompts 
  • [REQUIRED] Obtain approval of your uploads by CMRA or a Certified Teacher**
  • [REQUIRED] Take the online exam (60 min, multiple choice, passing = 70%)**
  • **Requires purchasing Student Certification Access and have CMRA or a CMRA Certified instructor approve uploads

Process for applying for the Micro-Certification

Topics Covered

Exam Prep: Fabrication Part 1 (e.g. a Chassis, through VRC)
Exam Prep: Fabrication Part 2 (e.g. a Motor Mount, through VRC)
Exam Prep: 3D Printing (through VRC)

Mechanical Foundations (through VRC)

View Mechanical Foundations (through VRC)

Mechanical Foundations (through VRC)

VRC: Applying for your Mechanical Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by RECF and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through VRC.

The Mechanical Foundations Micro-Certification covers structural design, weight distribution, drivetrains, fastening, and speed and torque which are common concepts robotics technicians need to understand.

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:
  • (Optional) Review the lesson materials to brush up and see what is covered by the exam 
  • [REQUIRED] Upload photos of your work to your portfolio according to the prompts 
  • [REQUIRED] Obtain approval of your uploads by CMRA or a Certified Teacher**
  • [REQUIRED] Take the online exam (60 min, multiple choice, passing = 70%)**
  • **Requires purchasing Student Certification Access and have CMRA or a CMRA Certified instructor approve uploads
Process for applying for the Micro-Certification

Topics Covered

Exam Prep: Strength, Stability, and Balance (through VRC)
Exam Prep: Transmissions and Mechanical Design (through VRC)
Exam Prep: Drivetrains (through VRC)

Robotics Integration (through VRC)

View Robotics Integration (through VRC)

Robotics Integration (through VRC)

VRC: Applying for your Fabrication Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by RECF and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through VRC.

The Robotics Integration Micro-Certification covers situations where technicians may receive a large industrial system that requires assembly and installation. Learners must provide evidence of unpacking and testing, testing navigation programming, and vision system integration.

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:
  • (Optional) Review the lesson materials to brush up and see what is covered by the exam 
  • [REQUIRED] Upload photos of your work to your portfolio according to the prompts 
  • [REQUIRED] Obtain approval of your uploads by CMRA or a Certified Teacher**
  • [REQUIRED] Take the online exam (60 min, multiple choice, passing = 70%)**
  • **Requires purchasing Student Certification Access and have CMRA or a CMRA Certified instructor approve uploads
Process for applying for the Micro-Certification

Topics Covered

Exam Prep: Testbed (through VRC)
Exam Prep: Open-Loop Navigation (through VRC)
Exam Prep: Camera Navigation (through VRC)

Software Foundations (through VRC)

View Software Foundations (through VRC)

Software Foundations (through VRC)

VRC: Applying for your Software Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by RECF and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through VRC.

The Software Foundations Micro-Certification covers all of the concepts that were covered in Robotics Integrations as well as programming sensors, and a vision system (or camera).

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:
  • (Optional) Review the lesson materials to brush up and see what is covered by the exam 
  • [REQUIRED] Upload photos of your work to your portfolio according to the prompts 
  • [REQUIRED] Obtain approval of your uploads by CMRA or a Certified Teacher**
  • [REQUIRED] Take the online exam (60 min, multiple choice, passing = 70%)**
  • **Requires purchasing Student Certification Access and have CMRA or a CMRA Certified instructor approve uploads
Process for applying for the Micro-Certification

Topics Covered

Exam Prep: Testbed (through VRC)
Exam Prep: Open-Loop Navigation (through VRC)
Exam Prep: Sensing (through VRC)
Exam Prep: Camera Navigation (through VRC)
Exam Prep: Camera Programming (through VRC)
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