What does it mean to think like an engineer?
What do Amazon warehouse robots, Mars rovers, surgical robots and
self-driving cars all have in common?
Behind every one of them is an engineer who started by asking a
simple question: “How can I solve this problem?”
This August, we're opening our robotics studio for a special two-day
hands-on workshop. Students will work in small teams to learn the
foundations of robotics and then put those ideas into practice by
designing, building and improving their own robots.
Over one exciting weekend...
🤖
Build & Drive
Build a working robot and learn how its major components work together.
⚙️
Learn the Mechanics
Explore motors, gears, sensors, the robot brain and basic mechanical principles.
🔄
Design an Intake
Build a real intake mechanism inspired by competitive robotics.
📓
Document Ideas
Learn to use an engineering notebook to sketch, document and improve designs.
🧪
Test & Improve
Discover the engineering cycle: build, test, fail, rethink and improve.
🎥
Explain Their Work
Present what they built and learned to family and friends through recorded videos.
Our workshops emphasize creativity, curiosity and engineering
thinking — not simply following instructions.
The program is based on the curriculum we've developed over the past year
with our Fairmeadow Robotics Team, whose students have progressed from beginner
robot builds to designing more advanced mechanisms inspired by VEX robots.
If you’d like to get a feel for the learning journey, take a look
through our robotics newsletters and project updates.
Read Our Robotics Blog & Newsletters →
No previous robotics experience is required.
Weekend at a Glance
Saturday establishes the foundations. On Sunday, we shift from
following instructions to solving an engineering problem.
| Time |
Saturday — Build the Foundations |
Sunday — Think Like an Engineer |
| 9:30–10:00 |
Welcome & What Makes a Robot? |
Reverse Engineering: How Does Our Robot Work? |
| 10:00–11:00 |
Meet the Parts: Motors, Gears, Sensors & Brain |
Design Challenge: Brainstorm & Sketch |
| 11:00–12:30 |
Build Your First Robot: BaseBot |
Build an Intake: Rollers, Friction & Traction |
| 12:30–1:15 |
Lunch |
Lunch |
| 1:15–2:30 |
Build a Claw: Grabbing & Lifting |
Test, Fail, Improve: Engineering Iteration |
| 2:30–3:30 |
Robot Challenge: Drive, Pick Up & Move |
Robot Challenge: Put the Design to Work |
| 3:30–4:00 |
Engineering Notebook: Draw & Document |
Demo Day: Team Presentations and recordings |
Workshop Contribution
$50
We're keeping costs low and ask for a $50 contribution to cover
food, snacks and the cost of equipment use.