Parts Redistribution Program: how it works

Isentropic Robotics’ Parts Redistribution Program, Isentropic Parts Distribution (IPD), collects unused, legacy, and retired VEX robotics parts from established teams and redistributes them to schools, underfunded programs, and community robotics groups. Its aim is to eliminate resource barriers in STEM education.

The program is meant to do three things:

1. Increase STEM accessibility, by lowering the financial barrier for underprivileged youth to get started with VEX robotics for educational and competition purposes.
2. Reduce parts waste, by making sure all usable robotics parts from retired teams can be given back to the community to support robotics learning.
3. Empower local teams, by providing them with not only hardware but also mentorship and guidance to build, compete, and sustain their robotics programs long term.

How it works

Donors, whether retired teams, graduating seniors, event partners, or school districts, complete a short donation form describing the parts they have and when they are available. Donated components are sorted into usable, repairable, and recyclable bins, with V5 brains, controllers, sensors, motors, and batteries checked and metal parts cleaned, then cataloged in an inventory tracker under three categories: structure and motion, electronics and power, and hardware and pneumatics.

Underfunded or new robotics programs submit a grant request form describing their program, the parts or equipment they are missing, and a mentor or coach to contact. Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis, and approved teams are matched with kit bundles based on what the inventory holds.

Donors who organize, clean, and deliver their hardware before hand-off can receive official volunteer or community service hours, awarded case by case.

Both forms, and the full description of the donation pathway, are on the Parts Redistribution page.