Available Programs
2026-2027 Competitive Robotics Program
Model 1: Competitive Team Model (VEX IQ Only)
Season (June 2026 through Feb/Mar 2027):
- 2026-27 VEX IQ Season Membership (Competitive Model)
- $1,250 Standard Rate (Register by April 30, 2026)
- $1500 Late Registration (Register after May 1, 2026)
- Registration closes on August 1, 2026.
Built for families who want a hands-on, team-driven competitive experience with strong structural support from The Mind Spark.
What’s Included
- Placement on an official The Mind Spark Competitive Team
- Parent Coach–Led Teams (one parent coach required per team)
- Coach Training & Playbook provided to new Parent Coaches by The Mind Spark
- Access to The Mind Spark facilities (Unlimited 2-hour slot reservations on select days each week, first come first serve basis)
- Scheduled access to official competition fields with 2026-2027 game elements
- Assigned competitive robotics parts kit + Pneumatics Kit
- Registration for 3 local tournaments
- Official team registration with REC Foundation
- Season planning, timelines, and competition readiness support
- Team Size:
- IQ: 4-6 Members
Best For
- Families who want to be actively involved
- Parents excited to coach with structured guidance
- Students ready to compete at a high level with a team-first mindset
- Student Centric Environment Reinforced by The Mind Spark
- Students: Design, build, and program robots; collaborate in teams; solve challenges; and compete while developing technical and teamwork skills
- Mentors: Guide and support students, teach core concepts, ensure safety, and encourage problem-solving without doing the work for them
- Important: All robots and parts will remain at The Mind Spark facilities to ensure a student-centric learning environment
Model 2: Varsity Team Model (VEX IQ Only)
Season (June 2026 through Feb/Mar 2027):
- 2026-27 VEX IQ Season Membership (Varsity Model)
- $2,500 per student (Register by April 30, 2026)
- Spots are limited to 2 IQ Elementary teams and 2 IQ Middle School teams.
- Registration closes on April 30, 2026.
The highest tier Mind Spark experience, designed for students who are ready to perform at an elite competitive level with professional coaching and full resources.
What’s Included
- Everything in the Competitive Team Model, plus:
- Teams led and coached entirely by The Mind Spark professional coaches
- No parent coaching involvement required
- All robotics parts included, including premium & advanced components
- Coaching in advanced build techniques, programming, and game strategy
- Enhanced coaching support focused on in-season performance optimization
- Structured, championship-level preparation and execution
Varsity Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum 1 year of VEX IQ experience
(with The Mind Spark is preferred or another recognized robotics program may be considered) - Skills assessment and/or interview by the coaches required to ensure readiness for the Varsity-level pace and expectations
- Demonstrated commitment, teamwork, and competitive mindset
- Teams consist of 4-6 students; team roles are assigned by coaches based on student’s strengths/interest with no parent involvement permitted
Best For
- Students with prior competitive robotics experience
- Families seeking a fully coached, high-performance program
- Families comfortable with a coach-led model and no influence in team operations, this is a must
- Builders, programmers, and drivers aiming for top-tier results
One Mission. Two Pathways. One Competitive Standard.
Both Competitive and Varsity teams compete in the same official events and represent The Mind Spark, the difference is experience level, coaching structure, and depth of resources.
STEM WORKSHOPS
Hands-on sessions on
- Intro to Robotics for Grade 3-5 (Registration now open)
- Introduction to 3D Modeling & Design (Coming soon)
- AI Fundamentals – Seminar/workshop (Coming soon)
- Presentation Skills workshop (coming soon)
- and more…
PROGRAMMING/CODING
Introduction to Python
Discover the fun of coding with Python! In this beginner-friendly course, elementary students will learn how to write simple programs, use loops and logic, and create their own games and stories. Through fun activities and hands-on projects, kids will build confidence, think creatively, and explore the basics of computer science—no experience needed!
Join us for an action-packed week of robotics, engineering, and STEM challenges led by experienced robotics coaches and state champion team mentors!