POE Unit 3 • Lesson 3.9

VEX Ground Support Systems

Explore VEX structures, motors, sensors, and mechanisms for a mission support task.

Lesson Snapshot

Student Objective

I can describe how VEX components can create an automated aerospace ground-support system.

Main Activity

Explore VEX structures, motors, sensors, and mechanisms for a mission support task.

Deliverable

VEX ground-support concept sketch

Tools / Materials

VEX parts, notebook, website, sample mechanisms

1ProblemUnderstand the challenge and why it matters.

Rovers often need a mission environment: landing pads, gates, beacons, payload stations, inspection targets, or launch support equipment. VEX can model these ground-support systems.

2ConceptLearn the engineering idea or skill.

A ground-support system combines structure, mechanisms, actuators, sensors, and control logic to interact with the mission environment.

3ApplyUse the skill in a guided task.

Choose a possible ground-support role and sketch how VEX parts could support the rover mission.

4DocumentRecord your evidence and decisions.

Create a labeled concept sketch that shows structure, actuator, sensor or trigger, and how the system supports the mission.

5ReviewCheck quality and identify your next step.

Your sketch should show a physical system, not just an idea.

Lesson Resources

Use these files and shared website resources when they support today’s work.

Engineering Graph Paper

Use for flowcharts, system diagrams, calculations, mission layouts, and design sketches.

Open Resource

Measurement Data Sheet

Use for rover trials, actuator tests, timing data, accuracy measurements, and observations.

Open Resource

Engineering Resource Library

Templates, reference sheets, sketch paper, and course support files.

Open Resource