Foundations of Robotics
Choose the format that works best for you
After-School
Start your robotics journey with our 15-session after-school program! Learn to build, code, and program robots 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.
Summer Camp
Dive deep into robotics during summer break! Our intensive 2-week camp delivers the same comprehensive curriculum as our after-school program in an accelerated format. Build the foundational skills to tackle competitive robotics (FLL) challenges or simply explore STEM through hands-on learning.
Program Overview
2 Weeks
Monday-Friday,
9 AM - 12 PM | 1 PM - 4 PM
Grades 4-8
Age-appropriate curriculum
All Materials
LEGO® kits provided
What Your Child Will Learn
Daily Activities
- • Build LEGO SPIKE Prime robot from ground up
- • Master block-based programming fundamentals
- • Program precise movements and navigation
- • Integrate distance, color, and force sensors
- • Create autonomous sensor-driven robots
Foundations, Movement & Sensors
The first week immerses students in robotics fundamentals. Starting from scratch, students build their LEGO SPIKE Prime robot and learn block-based programming to control motors and create precise movements. They'll master basic navigation, turning, and distance measurement.
Students then dive into the full sensor suite—ultrasonic distance sensors for obstacle detection, color sensors for line following and recognition, and force sensors for touch and pressure feedback. By week's end, they'll program autonomous robots that use all three sensor types to navigate and respond intelligently to their environment.
Key Skills Developed
- • Robot construction and mechanical understanding
- • Programming logic and sequencing
- • Sensor integration and calibration
- • Problem-solving and debugging techniques
Daily Activities
- • 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
- • Design and complete final showcase project
Gears, Arms & Multi-Sensor Integration
Week two expands into mechanical design. Students 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, students create sophisticated robots that sense their environment and physically interact with it. The week culminates in a final showcase project where students demonstrate advanced problem-solving, engineering design, and computational thinking skills.
Key Skills Developed
- • Mechanical design with gears and linkages
- • Multi-sensor integration strategies
- • Complex problem decomposition
- • Project planning and execution
Ready for an Intensive Summer of Robotics?
Join our Summer Robotics Camp and dive deep into STEM learning. Two weeks of hands-on fun that builds skills for a lifetime!