Erasmus+ KA1 · Teacher training
VEX IQ Robotics for Teachers: Hands-on STEM Course in Ptuj
A five-day, hands-on course for primary and lower-secondary teachers: build and program VEX IQ robots, explore AI vision, and bring challenge-based STEM learning back to your school.
- 26–30 April 2027
- RoboTech STEM Center, Ptuj, Slovenia
- 5 days · 35 hours
- English
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Who is it for
Teachers of primary and lower-secondary schools (roughly ages 8–14), STEM, technology and computing teachers, and teachers who want to start or lead a school robotics club.
What you need
No robotics or programming experience is required. Participants need a working knowledge of English (about B1) and their own laptop.
Group of up to 16 participants; the course runs with at least 6.
Learning outcomes
After the course participants will be able to:
- Build and program VEX IQ robots and guide students through the same steps.
- Use sensors, including the AI vision sensor, to design simple autonomous behaviours.
- Plan robotics lessons that support maths, science, technology and computing objectives.
- Apply challenge-based and collaborative learning methods and assess student work fairly.
- Set up and run a school robotics club and prepare students for friendly competitions.
- Create a concrete implementation plan for their own school and share practice with colleagues from other European countries.
Course themes
The VEX IQ system, building techniques and classroom management with robot kits.
From block-based programming to text-based coding in VEXcode IQ, and working with sensors.
Introducing AI concepts through the VEX AI vision sensor and age-appropriate activities.
Designing projects, rubrics and assessment that connect robotics to school subjects.
Competition formats, team roles, and how to organise a robotics club in your school.
Comparing curricula and school practice with teachers from other countries and planning future cooperation.
Course methodology
The course is learning by doing: roughly two thirds of every day are practical work with VEX IQ kits, in pairs and small international groups, and one third is short input, demonstration and discussion.
Each block follows the same cycle: try it yourself, reflect with peers, then plan how to adapt it for your own students. Participants receive worksheets, example lessons and project ideas they can use directly, and trainers give individual feedback during practical tasks.
Digital tools: VEXcode IQ for programming, and a shared online folder for materials and group work before, during and after the course.
European dimension
The course brings together teachers from several European countries. Group work is deliberately mixed by country, and time is reserved to compare school systems, share practice and explore ideas for future Erasmus+ cooperation, such as school partnerships and eTwinning projects. The course supports Erasmus+ priorities of digital transformation, inclusion and quality teaching.
Preparation before the course
About four weeks before the course we send practical information, a short questionnaire about your experience and goals, and instructions to install VEXcode IQ on your laptop (Windows, macOS or Chromebook). Please bring your own laptop and charger.
Programme
35 hours of learning activities, at least five hours of learning on each working day.
-
Mon26
Welcome and VEX IQ foundations8 h
Monday 26 April 2027 · 09:00–18:00 (lunch 12:30–13:30)
Introductions and tour of RoboTech STEM Center.
The VEX IQ system, building a classroom robot, first driving tasks and team challenges. -
Tue27
Cultural day: Ptuj and Slovenian schools3 h
Tuesday 27 April 2027 · 09:30–12:30 learning session; 14:00–16:00 guided visit of Ptuj
Public holiday in Slovenia.
Morning learning session: robotics and STEM in the Slovenian and other European curricula, and a guided visit of the historic town of Ptuj with informal networking. -
Wed28
Programming and sensors8 h
Wednesday 28 April 2027 · 09:00–18:00 (lunch 12:30–13:30)
Block-based programming and a first step into text-based coding in VEXcode IQ.
Working with sensors; solving navigation and measurement problems. -
Thu29
AI vision and challenge-based learning8 h
Thursday 29 April 2027 · 09:00–18:00 (lunch 12:30–13:30)
Hands-on activities with the AI vision sensor.
Designing cross-curricular lessons, rubrics and assessment, and adapting activities for different ages and abilities. -
Fri30
Competitions, implementation and certificates8 h
Friday 30 April 2027 · 09:00–18:00 (lunch 12:30–13:30)
VEX IQ competition formats and a friendly mini-tournament.
Personal implementation plans for your school, next steps, feedback and certificates.
The programme may be adjusted slightly; participants are informed in advance of any change.
Equals the Erasmus+ course-fee flat rate for the whole course.
The fee includes
- Training and teaching materials
- Use of VEX IQ equipment during the course
- Training venue
- Coffee breaks and refreshments
- Cultural programme on Tuesday (guided visit of Ptuj)
- Certificate of attendance
Not included
- Accommodation
- Lunches and dinners
- Travel to Ptuj and local transport
- Travel and health insurance
How it works
- ApplySend the form below by 26 March 2027. We reply within a few working days.
- We confirm30 days before the start, once at least 6 participants are in.
- InvoiceYour organisation gets an invoice. There is no online payment.
Application and selection
Places are allocated in the order in which complete applications are received (first come, first served). There is no separate selection test. We confirm receipt of your application by e-mail and reply within a few working days. When all places are taken, applications close automatically.
The course is confirmed 30 days before the start, once at least 6 participants have applied. Until then you can cancel free of charge.
Cancellation and changes
Cancellation by you: you can cancel free of charge until the course is confirmed, 30 days before the start. After confirmation we send an invoice. Your organisation can replace a participant free of charge if we are informed in advance.
Changes by us: if the fee, content, dates, location or schedule change significantly, you can cancel at no extra cost with reasonable notice.
If the course does not take place (for example, because the minimum number of participants is not reached) we inform you at the latest 30 days before the start and you pay nothing; any fee already paid is refunded in full.
Force majeure: in case of events beyond anyone's control, such as natural disasters or serious transport disruption, we agree on a new date or refund the fee for the part of the course that did not take place. Travel costs are covered by your own travel insurance.
mag. Oliver Buček
VEX robotics expert, RoboTech STEM Center
mag. Oliver Buček is an educator and VEX IQ specialist with a master's degree in Pedagogics and a Microsoft Innovative Educator certification. He runs RoboTech STEM Center in Ptuj, Slovenia, where he teaches robotics and STEM and trains teachers to use VEX IQ in the classroom.
For 12 years he has been an Erasmus+ project coordinator and has successfully completed more than 10 projects that connect schools across countries. He also organises international VEX IQ competitions and mentors students in STEM. In April 2026 he gave two hands-on workshops at the Education Summit 2026 in Guimarães, Portugal: on AI vision sensors in VEX IQ and on introducing the VEX AIR drone in the classroom.
RoboTech hosts the Slovenian Open VEX IQ competition (18 teams from five countries in 2026) and takes part in international VEX competitions, such as the VEX Czech Open in Zlín.
Oliver believes in hands-on learning and uses digital tools to make complex ideas accessible. He leads the course in a practical, supportive way, with plenty of time for questions and exchange between participants.
Training institution
RoboTech STEM Center is a robotics and STEM education centre in Ptuj, Slovenia, run by Oliver Buček s.p. The centre offers robotics courses, holiday camps and workshops for children, and training for teachers and kindergarten teachers. It is a certified VEX robotics centre and a member of EdTech Slovenia.
Teacher workshops in VEX 123, VEX AIM, VEX GO and VEX IQ run regularly for Slovenian schools; this course brings the same practical approach to an international group.
- Provider
- RoboTech, Oliver Buček s.p.
- Erasmus+ Organisation ID
- E10436304
- Address
- Čučkova ulica 5, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia
- Contact
- info@robotech.si
The course is eligible for Erasmus+ KA1 funding. It is not accredited or endorsed by the European Commission or a National Agency.
Contact and directions
Oliver Buček, course leader and trainer
+386 70 390 664 ·
info@robotech.si
RoboTech STEM Center, Čučkova ulica 5, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia · Open in Google Maps
Accessible for participants with reduced mobility (lift to the training room, toilet at the centre).
Venue and accessibility
RoboTech STEM Center, Čučkova ulica 5, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia. Free parking is available in front of the centre. Ptuj is about 1.5 h by car from Ljubljana and 1.5–2 h from Zagreb and Graz. Participants arrange their own accommodation and travel; Ptuj has a range of hotels and guesthouses, and we are happy to answer practical questions. The centre is accessible to participants with reduced mobility: there is a lift to the training room and a toilet at the centre. Please tell us in the application form about any further needs so that we can prepare the venue and the programme.
Inclusion
The course is open to all teachers without discrimination. We adapt activities and materials to participants with special educational needs, as well as dietary and other requirements. Please tell us what you need in the application form.
Certificate
Every participant receives a certificate of attendance with their name, a short description of the course and its learning outcomes, dates, venue, the name of the training provider and of the trainer. The learning outcomes are written so that the certificate can be used together with Europass.
After the course
On the last day each participant prepares a personal implementation plan for their school. After the course you keep access to the shared materials and receive suggestions for next steps, such as extra online resources, robotics clubs and competitions you can join, and ideas for presenting the course to colleagues at your school.
Support, feedback and complaints
Before, during and after the course you can reach us at info@robotech.si; we answer within two working days. At the end of the course every participant fills in an anonymous evaluation form, and we use the results to improve the next course.
Complaints: write to info@robotech.si. We confirm receipt within three working days and answer within 14 days. Complaints are handled fairly and with respect, and the answer explains what we will change.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this course for?
Teachers of primary and lower-secondary schools (roughly ages 8–14), STEM, technology and computing teachers, and teachers who want to start or lead a school robotics club.
Do I need robotics or programming experience?
No robotics or programming experience is required. Participants need a working knowledge of English (about B1) and their own laptop.
Is the course eligible for Erasmus+ KA1 funding?
Yes. The course is eligible for Erasmus+ KA1 funding for school education staff. Your organisation applies for the grant through its Erasmus+ National Agency, and we describe the course according to the Erasmus+ KA1 course quality standards. RoboTech's Erasmus+ Organisation ID is E10436304. The course is not an accredited programme.
How much does the course cost?
Participants funded by Erasmus+ pay the Erasmus+ course-fee flat rate of 400 € per person, VAT included; other participants pay 490 € + 22 % VAT per person for the whole 5-day course.
How are places allocated?
Places are allocated in the order in which complete applications are received (first come, first served). There is no separate selection test. We confirm receipt of your application by e-mail and reply within a few working days. When all places are taken, applications close automatically.
How do I apply and pay?
Fill in the application form on this page for yourself or a group from your organisation. There is no online payment: after the course is confirmed (30 days before the start, once at least 6 participants have applied) we send an invoice to your organisation.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation by you: you can cancel free of charge until the course is confirmed, 30 days before the start. After confirmation we send an invoice. Your organisation can replace a participant free of charge if we are informed in advance.
Where is the course held and how do I get there?
RoboTech STEM Center, Čučkova ulica 5, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia. Free parking is available in front of the centre. Ptuj is about 1.5 h by car from Ljubljana and 1.5–2 h from Zagreb and Graz. Participants arrange their own accommodation and travel; Ptuj has a range of hotels and guesthouses, and we are happy to answer practical questions. The centre is accessible to participants with reduced mobility: there is a lift to the training room and a toilet at the centre. Please tell us in the application form about any further needs so that we can prepare the venue and the programme.
Which certificate do I receive?
Every participant receives a certificate of attendance with their name, a short description of the course and its learning outcomes, dates, venue, the name of the training provider and of the trainer. The learning outcomes are written so that the certificate can be used together with Europass.
When is the course and how long is it?
26–30 April 2027 in RoboTech STEM Center, Ptuj, Slovenia, Slovenia: 5 days, 35 hours, taught in English.
Apply
Fill in the form for your organisation. We reply within a few working days. There is no online payment: after the course is confirmed we send an invoice to your organisation.