The Thunder Bolt

At Concordia International School Hanoi, we take our STEM programs seriously, actively creating an environment where students don't just study theory but apply it in real-world situations. We provide many ways for our young engineers to learn by doing and prove their skills in top international competitions. This commitment was on full display in December, just before Christmas break, where our students had the opportunity to compete in the VEX V5RC competition in Bangkok. 

By engaging with the global VEX Robotics organization, we provide a level playing field where our students' success is defined by their ingenuity, creativity, and the resilience they show when faced with the unpredictable challenges of global competition.

One of the most significant aspects of the VEX organization is its accessibility. Mr. Seth Carper explains that while robotics is an "up and coming" field, this platform is designed to be approachable for students of all ages and skill levels. To ensure a level playing field, VEX provides standardized materials so that every participating school has access to the same equipment. This ensures that success is determined by a team's inventiveness and mechanical logic rather than their budget.

Each year, a new game-like challenge is announced globally on the same day. These competitions involve manipulatives (objects like balls or frisbees) that robots must be designed to pick up and place into targets with high precision. While these tasks might seem simple, Mr. Carper notes that designing a robot to grip and move objects of varying shapes and sizes is a complex skill that requires mastering:

• Mechanical Logic: Finding the right balance between how fast the robot moves and how much weight it can lift.
• Physics and Stability: Calculating weight distribution to ensure the robot remains balanced and maintains equal pressure on its tires.
• Integration: Using sensors and coding to communicate with moving parts and pneumatic systems.

A core reason for student participation is the "learning by doing" philosophy. No one in the world has played these specific games before they are announced, so there is no blueprint for success. Students must prototype, fail, and go back to the drawing board repeatedly.

Mr. Carper highlights that in previous years, our students often only attended one competition, which limited their growth. This year, the goal is for students to compete multiple times to truly experience the iterative process. By taking their robots into a real-world setting, they realize what strategies their opponents have developed (such as defensive maneuvers they hadn't considered) and are forced to pivot and revise their own designs for the next event.

Perhaps the most unique element of VEX is that teamwork is a core standard. In the professional world, no engineer works alone, and our program reflects this by assessing students on their ability to collaborate within their four-person teams.

The competition environment further pushes these boundaries by pairing teams with randomized alliances. This requires students to network and strategize with peers from different backgrounds and schools. This shifting landscape of partners and opponents creates a deep sense of camaraderie and a lasting "robotics community" that extends far beyond the tournament floor.

Following the discussion with Mr. Carper, we sat down with the students who recently returned from the VEX V5RC Robotics Competition in Bangkok. Competing in a massive field of 41 teams, our students experienced firsthand the high-pressure environment of international robotics. Their journey was a masterclass in resilience, proving that success is often defined by how a team responds to failure.

The tournament began with a surge of momentum, as our team secured a high ranking - sitting in first or second place through the opening rounds. However, the unpredictable nature of robotics soon took hold when their drive train suddenly jammed. Unable to move effectively during critical matches, the team watched their ranking slip. This technical hurdle was complicated by a strategic decision made just before the trip. 

Recognizing that their robot's complex intake system was riddled with mechanical issues, the team opted to remove it entirely the night before their flight. While this left them with a "driving-only" robot that lacked offensive scoring capabilities, it ensured they had a reliable machine that could at least compete.

In the heat of competition, the students learned that winning isn't always about having the most advanced-looking machine; it’s about how you respond to the situation at hand. Despite the stress of having "half a robot" and the lack of an intake system, the team stayed focused on the small victories. They made constant tweaks between matches, working tirelessly to fix mechanical errors and stay in the game.

One standout moment of strategic quick-thinking occurred in the final seconds of a match. Realizing they couldn't score offensively, the team focused on "parking", which is a maneuver that earned them five critical extra points and demonstrated their ability to maximize their resources under pressure.

The most exciting moment of the weekend came during the alliance selection. Even though their ranking had dropped due to their earlier drive train issues, their reputation for consistency and teamwork didn't go unnoticed. To their surprise, a top-seeded team looked past the higher-ranked competitors to select them as their first-choice partner.

"I was so focused on scouting other teams on my phone that I didn't even realize they had picked us until the representative came over to ask if we’d accept," one student recalled. This selection was a powerful validation of their hard work and their ability to contribute to a larger team strategy, even when facing significant mechanical setbacks.

As they look ahead to the next challenge, the team is already planning a complete rebuild of the robot's intake system. They are returning to Hanoi not just with a 2-3 record, but with the grit and experience needed to finish the season even stronger.

While the students were navigating the technical hurdles of the tournament, Mr. Carper was observing the broader impact of the experience from the sidelines. From a teachers perspective, the Bangkok trip provided invaluable insights into the students' growth that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting.

Mr. Carper noted that the most significant takeaway for the students was the opportunity to test their designs in the high-pressure environment they were built for. "It’s impossible to get that same level of insight just by building in the lab," Carper explained. By seeing how their robots compared to others, students gained immediate inspiration and ideas from the diverse strategies and designs used by other international teams.

Beyond the mechanical performance, the highlight of the trip was witnessing the students' character. One of our teams, an all-girls squad, was honored with the prestigious Sportsmanship Award. This award is presented to the team that best demonstrates excellent collaboration and treats every other team with respect, regardless of whether they are allies or opponents on the field.

"The students got a lot of experience and now they know exactly what to expect," Mr. Carper said. With a clearer understanding of their robots' limitations and the level of competition they will face, the teams are now focusing their efforts on the specific areas they need to improve before next month's big tournament.

As we look toward next month, all eyes are on the VEX V5 Robotics Competition in Ho Chi Minh, where one of our most experienced teams is preparing to take the stage. Known by their creative team name, "Two Lotus Among Us," this group has been competing together for a year and a half, building a level of camaraderie that only comes with time. 

This momentum follows their impressive performance a few weeks ago at the V5RC HS Vietnam National Championship in Hanoi. During the event, the team earned the prestigious Amaze Award, which recognizes high-performing robots that demonstrate outstanding creativity and engineering. We look forward to seeing them carry this innovative spirit into their next challenge in Ho Chi Minh.

While many teams are still refining their designs, "Two Lotus Among Us" has been focused on this challenge since it was first released in May. After spending their summer brainstorming and designing, they hit the ground running in August to begin the physical build of their robot. This long-term commitment has allowed them to move past basic assembly into the more nuanced stages of engineering.

This year, the team has implemented a more sophisticated division of labor to maximize their efficiency. Rather than everyone working on the same task, they have split into specialized roles: some members focus purely on programming, while others dedicate their time to researching innovative designs to stay ahead of the competition.

Their technical approach is equally rigorous. The team utilizes Python for their coding, choosing to write their programs manually to ensure they have complete control over the robot’s movements. While they sometimes use AI as a tool for brainstorming or generating new ideas, they take pride in executing the actual code themselves.

For "Two Lotus Among Us," the Saigon tournament isn't just another competition, it's the culmination of months of hard work and a shared passion for innovation. Their journey reflects the very heart of our robotics program: a commitment to continuous learning, teamwork, and the drive to see how far their engineering skills can take them.

From the technical hurdles faced in Bangkok to the ambitious preparations for Saigon, our students are proving that they are much more than just builders, they are young engineers. Whether they are returning home with awards or returning to the lab for a total rebuild, the grit and collaboration they display on the international stage is truly remarkable.

Learn more about Concordia Hanoi's STEM Program.