🤖 Robotics 1: AI-Driven Adventures with Bots
For Ages: 6–9
Duration: 6 weeks Dates: Mondays, September 8 – October 20 (no class on October 13), 4:00 pm -5:00 pm, or Saturdays, September 6 – October 11, 9:30 am – 10:30 am Price: $180
No coding experience needed
Description:
Young inventors dive into robotics using friendly, expressive robots like Dash, Dot, Cue, and mBot. Students build obstacle courses, jousting arenas, treasure hunts, and drawing challenges — then bring their robots to life with block-based coding. Each session includes a storytelling challenge guided by AI. For example, “Write a story where your robot explores the deep sea” becomes a real movement sequence on the underwater-themed mat.
AI Tie-In:
Kids co-create stories and robot missions with the help of AI text prompts. They use ChatGPT to generate imaginative scenarios, robot behaviors, and even robot names and personalities.
→ Ideal first step for early learners curious about robotics, creativity, and simple coding.
🤖 Robotics 2: Engineering Challenges with VEX
For Ages: 9–13
Duration: 8 weeks Dates: Mondays, September 8 – October 20 (no class on October 13), 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, or Saturdays, September 6 – October 11, 10:35 am – 11:35 am Price: $240
No coding or robotics experience needed
Description:
Students take on design and engineering challenges using VEX GO or VEX IQ kits. They build and code robots to lift objects, navigate mazes, and complete tasks inspired by past VEX competitions. The emphasis is on teamwork, problem-solving, and iteration.
Students who enjoy this level can choose to return with new builds, field elements, or join our optional VEX competition team in a future term.
AI Tie-In:
Students use AI to brainstorm design strategies, reflect on performance (“Why did our robot fail the ramp test?”), and debug logic-based issues with GPT guidance.
→ Great next step for students ready to build robots with real-world mechanisms and gear-driven logic.
🤖 Robotics 3: Arduino Smart Machines
For Ages: 12+
Duration: 8 weeks Dates: tba Price: $240
Requires basic coding knowledge (block or Python)
Description:
Students move into the world of physical computing with Arduino-based robotics kits. They build robots with motors, sensors, and actuators — and code them using Arduino C-style syntax. Projects may include a soil moisture watering robot, an intruder alarm, or a maze-solving car.
AI Tie-In:
Students work with ChatGPT to write, troubleshoot, and adapt Arduino code. They prompt AI for project ideas and real-time code generation (e.g., “Give me code for a robot that moves when it sees light”).
→ Perfect for middle schoolers and teens ready to combine real hardware with real code and AI.
Robotics 4: AI-Powered Robotics with Raspberry Pi
For Ages: 13+
Duration: 8–10 weeks Dates: tba Price: $240
Prerequisites: Solid experience with Arduino or similar platforms; some Python coding
Description:
In this advanced robotics class, students build and program intelligent autonomous robots using PiCar-X and Raspberry Pi. Projects may include line-following bots, object-tracking rovers, voice-controlled vehicles, or camera-enabled obstacle avoidance. We explore real-world concepts like computer vision, AI-inference on the edge, and sensor fusion.
AI Tie-In:
Students use AI tools (like ChatGPT and Vision APIs) to:
- Generate Python control code
- Interpret camera input for object detection
- Troubleshoot AI logic
- Simulate smart behavior before testing in real-world scenarios
→ This class bridges robotics and real-world AI systems — ideal for students interested in autonomous cars, drones, or smart robotics.