After-School
Start your robotics journey with our 15-session after-school program — Foundations of Robotics! Learn to build, code, and program using LEGO® SPIKE Prime through three progressive modules. Build the foundational skills to tackle competitive robotics (FLL) challenges or simply explore STEM through hands-on learning.
Program Overview
3 Modules
1 module each week
Grades 4-8
Curriculum Below
All Materials
SPIKE LEGO® kits provided
What Your Child Will Learn
What Students Do
- • Build LEGO SPIKE Prime robot from scratch
- • Learn block-based coding fundamentals
- • Program precise forward, backward, and turning movements
- • Navigate obstacle courses and mazes
- • Complete multi-step navigation challenges
Robot Basics & Movement
In this exciting first module, students will build their very own LEGO SPIKE Prime robot from scratch and learn the fundamentals of programming. They'll explore block-based coding to make their robot move forward, backward, and turn with precision.
Through hands-on challenges, your child will practice measuring distances, calculating angles, and navigating obstacle courses. By week's end, they'll confidently program their robot to complete multi-step navigation tasks independently.
Key Skills Developed
- • Understanding of motors and mechanical systems
- • Basic programming logic and sequencing
- • Spatial reasoning and measurement
- • Problem decomposition strategies
What Students Do
- • Integrate ultrasonic distance sensors
- • Program obstacle detection and avoidance
- • Use color sensors for line following
- • Add force sensors for touch and pressure detection
- • Create autonomous sensor-driven programs
Distance, Color & Force Sensors
This week introduces your child to the world of sensors and responsive robotics. Students will learn how ultrasonic distance sensors detect obstacles, enabling their robots to "see" and respond to their environment. They'll master color sensors, programming robots to recognize different colors and follow lines.
Students also explore force sensors, adding touch sensitivity and pressure detection to their robots. Through exciting challenges, your child will create autonomous robots that make intelligent decisions using distance, color, and force feedback to navigate complex environments and solve real-world problems.
Key Skills Developed
- • Sensor integration and calibration
- • Conditional logic and decision-making
- • Line-following algorithms
- • Force sensing and touch-based interaction
What Students Do
- • Build gear mechanisms to control speed and power
- • Construct robot arms and manipulators
- • Combine mechanical attachments with all sensors
- • Program robots to grab, lift, and sort objects
- • Present final showcase project
Gears, Arms & Multi-Sensor Integration
In this final module, students expand their robots with mechanical attachments. They'll learn how gears transfer motion, build gear trains to change speed and torque, and construct robot arms and manipulators that can grab, lift, and move objects.
Combining their mechanical builds with all three sensor types—distance, color, and force—students create sophisticated robots that sense their environment and physically interact with it. Through a final showcase project, they'll demonstrate advanced problem-solving, engineering design, and computational thinking skills.
Key Skills Developed
- • Mechanical design with gears and linkages
- • Multi-sensor integration strategies
- • Advanced programming and debugging
- • Engineering design and project presentation
Ready to Start Your Robotics Journey?
Join our After School Robotics program and watch your child build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills through hands-on robotics education.