Robotics Outreach Initiative

The STEAM Robotics Outreach Initiative is an initiative that partners with community organizations to design and implement holistic robotics programs for learners of all ages in the Greater Connecticut River Valley community. Utilizing LEGO robotics and Makey Makey kits, the Robotics Outreach Initiative provides a fun and hands-on introduction to the mechanics, coding, engineering process, and circuitry that goes behind making a robot. More broadly, the Initiative strives to increase the self-efficacy of students in STEM.

Founded in Fall 2021, the Robotics Outreach Initiative has since worked with learners ranging from elementary school students to adult learners through both one-day events and long term programs ranging from 4 weeks to 8 weeks. Past and current partners and events include Holyoke Boys & Girls Club, Girls, inc., The Valley Opportunity Council, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, Geek is Glam, Science for the People Fair, Springfield Prep, and the German Gerena Community School. This Fall 2023, the Robotics Outreach Initiative is facilitating an 8 week robotics program at the German Gerena Community School for a group of fifth graders and has also expo’d at the Girl Scouts event, Geek is Glam.

 

Current and Past Partners (Last Update: 3/9/2024)

  • Enfield Public Library
  • Springfield prep,
  • German Gerena Community School
  • Girl Scouts  

 

Upcoming Opportunities (Last Update: 3/9/2024)

  • Girl Scouts Maker Faire – April 2024

In Fall 2023, the Robotics Outreach Initiative is facilitating an 8 week robotics program at the German Gerena Community School for a group of fifth graders.

The Robotics Outreach Initiative ran a 6-week long program at German Gerena Community School during the 2023 spring semester.

The Robotics Outreach Initiative ran a 4-week long program at Springfield Prep in the 2022 fall semester.

In past years, the Robotics Initiative has partnered with Girls, Inc of the Valley and the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club to host robotics workshops in addition to holding a booth at the People’s Science Fair at UMass Amherst.