Teaching VEX IQ (1st gen) STEM Labs with IQ (2nd gen) Kits – VEX Library

While IQ (1st generation) STEM Labs were designed for the IQ (1st gen) Kit and follow the SPARK format, there are many ways to teach the (1st gen) STEM Labs with your IQ (2nd gen) Kit. In this article, we provide you with resources to help adapt (1st gen) STEM Labs, giving you the flexibility to teach all IQ STEM Labs, with your IQ (2nd gen) Kit.

Overall Considerations When Teaching IQ (1st gen) STEM Labs with IQ (2nd gen) Kits

Only two sections of a (1st gen) SPARK Lab will need to be modified — the 'Seek' and 'the Play' sections. The Seek section is where students Build their robot (or mechanism) and the Play section is where they are guided through hands-on activities with their robot.

See this article for more information on the SPARK format.

Overall, there are some procedures for connecting, saving, downloading, and running projects in IQ (2nd gen) that vary slightly from what is in the Play section of the SPARK Labs.

See the articles in the Connect to the Brain section of the STEM Library for updated steps on how to connect a robot Brain to VEXcode IQ.
See the articles in the Open and Save blocks Project section of the STEM Library for updated information on how to save projects on your tablet or computer.
See this article for updated steps on downloading and running a VEXcode IQ Block Project.

The following section identifies a (1st gen) SPARK Lab, the IQ (1st gen) build that is used for that Lab, and a compatible IQ (2nd gen) Build that you can use to complete the Lab activities. Also included are suggestions for adapting the 'Play' section of each Lab.

Select the STEM Lab name to open the (1st gen) STEM Lab in a new window.
Select the build name to open the build instructions in a new window.

Drive Forward and Reverse

Explore robot behaviors and code the Autopilot to drive forward and in reverse. See the Drive Forward and Reverse STEM Lab here.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Autopilot	BaseBot	Use the BaseBot (Drivetrain 2-motor) template in VEXcode IQ instead of the Autopilot (Drivetrain). The project that students build in the Play section of the Lab does not need to be modified.

Turning

Explore robot behaviors and code the Autopilot to turn. See the Turning STEM Lab here.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Autopilot	BaseBot	Use the BaseBot (Drivetrain 2-motor) template in VEXcode IQ instead of the Autopilot (Drivetrain). The project that students build in the Play section of the Lab does not need to be modified.

Clawbot w/ Controller

Program the IQ controller to drive the Clawbot IQ using loops. See the Clawbot w/ Controller STEM Lab here.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Clawbot IQ	Clawbot	Use the Clawbot (Drivetrain 2-motor) template as directed in the Play section of the Lab. Then, have students convert the configuration for a (2nd gen) Brain. Students will simply need to select ‘2nd gen’ in the Devices window. See this article for more information on how to convert a (1st gen) project for a (2nd gen) Brain. See this section of the STEM Library for helpful information on how to charge, pair, and use the IQ (2nd gen) Controller.

Changing Velocity

Explore changing the velocity of the Autopilot robot while creating projects that drive the robot. See the Changing Velocity STEM Lab here.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Autopilot	BaseBot	Use the BaseBot (Drivetrain 2-motor) template in VEXcode IQ instead of the Autopilot (Drivetrain). The project that students build in the Play section of the Lab does not need to be modified.

Movement Challenge

Code the Autopilot to drive on a designated path with a sequence of movements. See the Movement Challenge STEM Lab here.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Autopilot	BaseBot	Since this Lab is an open-ended challenge, there is no need to modify the Lab. Refer to this section of the STEM Library for information on using VEX IQ Sensors, if you have students incorporate sensors into their projects.

Loop, There it is!

Learn how to code loops to get your robot grooving. See the Loop, There it is! STEM Lab here.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Clawbot IQ	Clawbot	Use the Repeating Actions template as directed in the Play section of the Lab. Then, have students convert the configuration for a (2nd gen) Brain. Students will simply need to select ‘2nd gen’ in the Devices window. See this article for more information on how to convert a (1st gen) project for a (2nd gen) Brain. The tutorials and the project in the Lab will work seamlessly with the (2nd gen) Clawbot.

To Do, or Not To Do

Code your robot to act on conditionals and create a User Interface (UI). See the To Do, or Not To Do STEM Lab here.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Clawbot IQ	Clawbot	Use the Clawbot (Drivetrain 2-motor) template as directed in the Play section of the Lab. Then, have students convert the configuration for a (2nd gen) Brain. Students will simply need to select ‘2nd gen’ in the Devices window. See this article for more information on how to convert a (1st gen) project for a (2nd gen) Brain. Refer to this article regarding the Buttons on the (2nd gen) Brain. Buttons are ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ Arrows on the (2nd gen) Brain. The tutorials and the project in the (1st gen) STEM Lab will work with the (2nd gen) Clawbot.

Testbed - VEX IQ Sensors

Build a Testbed to investigate how the IQ Sensors work and compete in the ‘Sense It’ Challenge. See the IQ (1st gen)Testbed STEM Lab here.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptation if using an IQ (2nd gen) Kit
Testbed	Free Build	Complete the IQ (2nd gen) Testbed Activity Series if you are using an IQ (2nd gen) Kit. This Activity Series is designed to use with IQ (2nd gen) instead of the Testbed (1st gen) STEM Lab. The Testbed Activity Series provides student-facing instruction using IQ (2nd gen) Sensors.

Tallest Tower

Build the tallest tower possible that can withstand a simulated earthquake. See the Tallest Tower STEM Lab here. *Build instructions are embedded in the STEM Lab.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Earthquake Platform	Same	This build requires a 60T gear. You will need to purchase Gear Add-On Kit that includes a 60T Gear. See this page to purchase.

M.A.D. Box

Explore how the mechanical advantages of torque and speed are related to gear ratios. See the M.A.D. Box STEM Lab here. *Build instructions are embedded in the STEM Lab.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
M.A.D Box	This can be built with an IQ (2nd gen) Kit. Piece colors may be different, but the sizes listed in the build instructions are the same	No modifications to the Play section needed.

Grabber

Build a device that uses scissor linkages to convert the direction of motion and explore the mechanics of scissor linkage. See the Grabber STEM Lab here. *Build instructions are embedded in the STEM Lab.

(1st gen) Build	Recommended (2nd gen) Build	Adaptations for "Play"
Grabber	This can be built with an IQ (2nd gen) Kit. Piece colors may be different, but the sizes listed in the build instructions are the same.	No modifications to the Play section needed.