The VEX Robotics Design System offers students an exciting platform for learning about areas rich with career opportunities spanning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These are just a few of the many fields students can explore by creating with VEX Robotics technology. Beyond science and engineering principles, a VEX Robotics project encourages teamwork, leadership and problem solving among groups. It also allows educators to easily customize projects to meet the level of students' abilities. The affordable VEX platform is expanding rapidly and is now found in middle schools, high schools and university labs around the globe. Robotics hobbyists also appreciate the advanced capabilities of the VEX System.

VEX Gateway is the VEX Robotics competition game for the GatewayIso2011/2012 season. It is played on a 12’x12’ square field configured as shown. Two alliances – one “red” and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a twenty-second autonomous period followed by two minutes of driver-controlled play.The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent Alliance by Scoring Barrels and Balls in Goals, earning Bonus Points and Doubling or Negating Goals.

There are a total of twenty-six (26) Barrels, eighteen (18) Balls, two (2) Doubler Barrels and two (2) Negation Barrels available as Scoring Objects in the game. Most Scoring Objects begin in designated locations on the field, while some are available to be loaded prior or during the match. Each Robot (smaller than 18”x18”x18” to start) begins a match on one of their Alliance Starting Tiles. There are thirteen Goals, of varying heights which teams can Score Balls or Barrels in. Alliances earn Bonus Points for having the lowest Ball or Barrel in a Circular Goal. Doubler or Negation Barrels which are scored alter the point values in a Circular Goal. The field is divided into sections by two 6’ long PVC Gates that teams can lift during the Match.