[galewind]

I'm a high school teacher who just recently started teaching an "Introduction to Engineering with Robotics" course. I decided to use the VEX IQ system due to its flexibility, safety, and, of all things, its sensors and programming. Being a math and computer science teacher at heart, and being deeply familiar with sensors and FRC robots, the VEX IQ kit, in summary, is a dream come true.

While there are a few issues with the way that WE use the kits (stripping axle lock plates, for example), and the fact that we didn't get chains/sprockets, treads, or omni wheels our first year, the kits really do work for a high school robotics course that focuses more on robot CONCEPTS than, say, building a knock-down, smash-up robot game.

If you want to focus on sensors and programming, there are tons of options for both beginners and advanced users. There is a scratch-style programming language called MODKit that can be used, or the robots can be programmed using text-based RobotC (Which anyone in FTC should be familiar with). We opted to use RobotC, and my students programmed autonomous robots (with state machines) and teleoperated robots.

While we had some issues with gyro inaccuracies, the sensors, particularly the smart motors, have TONS of awesome options. The motors can read voltage, have built-in encoders, can be set to hold a position like a servo. Using these for advanced programming activities was a blast. The TouchLED is really awesome, too. Haptic (I believe) touch sensor useful for enabling/disabling routines and displaying color codes for troubleshooting. The possibilities are endless.

This year, we just scratched the surface with VEX IQ -- and honestly, while the materials, of course, are not as robust as something like VEX EDR or TETRIX, the hardware snaps together easily, requires no tools, and can be worked with and cleaned up quickly.

There is also a ton of curriculum out there for VEX IQ, but it is largely targeted toward middle school students. But as I mentioned, the hardware and software features are so robust and complex that it can be used as a tool at any age level, depending on what you're trying to use it for.

I do not regret the decision to go with VEX IQ, and we have ordered ANOTHER 12 kits for the coming year, as well as the other hardware (treads, chains, omnis) for next year. I'm a huge fan.

I hope all of the info helps.