Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Robo-Tech Zone: Vex Robo TZ
Spring 2026
All students must complete a project for this class.
- Contact: Chris Kimmey
- Email: goteamrobotz@gmail.com
- Location: SMC Niles Campus. 33890 US-12, Niles, MI 49120. Rm 157
- Format: In-person
- Website: RoboTechZone.org
VEX Robo TZ: Grades 7-12
Dates: Thursdays 4-8pm, additional classes as needed
Classes begin January 8th, 2026
Open to new and returning students.
VEX RoboTZ course is centered around learning VEX V5RC, robotics. Students work in small groups to design, build, and program/code a robot to participate in a new game-based engineering challenge every year.
STEM concepts are put to the test as students learn lifelong skills in teamwork, leadership, and communication.
*RECOMMENDED: Robo Tech Zone also offers a LABZ for LEADERZ course to take in conjunction with this course, specifically for students looking to strengthen their communication skills.
*NOTE: Students may participate in several competitions including 4-5 league nights on Thursday evenings in Grand Rapids, and possibly two all day Saturday events. For teams progressing beyond the regular season, to State, Nationals, or Worlds, the season may continue through April. Nationals and World events take place out of state, typically Wednesday through Saturday. Travel/hotel expenses will be the responsibility of each family. Families will be encouraged to participate in fundraising events throughout the season, which may help to offset some of these costs. *Our program also accommodates R&D and in-house scrimmage teams for those not able to travel/participate in competitions.
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*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Tom Hurst
