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Weekly Robotics Classes
We host robotics classes in Albany, California, for teams of up to six kids, ages 9 to 14. Classes meet once a week for 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on class level. Meeting time is divided according to two main goals: children learn STEM Fundamentals and then we prepare for a robotics Competition.
The Fundamentals part focuses on principles from classical mechanics and elementary programming. Kids learn mechanical principles through guided building sessions: they create structures and machines using toy parts, and learn how to improve them so that the things actually work. Programming skills are introduced and practiced to help run the machines. A more detailed schedule and curriculum is available here.
Lessons from the Fundamentals class form the basis for the second Competition part of the class, which prepares teams to compete in the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge (FLL) competition. Participants will team up to design, build, and program a robot that will compete for the highest score against other regional teams at the competition. Recreational competitions are held in February at a to-be-determined hosting site in the Bay Area. The Competition part of the class is intended for intermediate and advanced teams following Fundamentals part of the class.
Class fees are collected at the beginning of every month. The standard fee for participating is $220 per month. (We are also currently recruiting for a separate girls' beginner team that lasts for 1.5 hours at a rate of $165 per month.) There is also an approximately $450 registration fee for the FLL competition, and this will be divided among competition participants. Parents and guardians can decide whether their children will participate in the actual FLL competition team, but the cost of classes is the same regardless of participation. Competition dates have not yet been released, but there are two types of competitions, qualifiying and recreational. Classes continue after the end of competition and roughly follow school calendars, with breaks for summer and winter.
Classes:
Intermediate Mixed: Saturdays, from 2pm to 4pm, $220 per month
Beginner Girls': Saturdays, from 4:30 to 6pm, $165 per month
Location: Albany, CA
For more information or to register please email jonsrobotics@gmail.com or fill out the form on the Contact page.
No experience with robotics or programming is necessary to join. It will help if the child is already comfortable putting brick sets together. All necessary materials are available to students at our location, which provides them with a full and current FLL Challenge table, computers to operate the robots, and a comfortable space to build their projects. We also provide FLL competition materials (approximate cost for 2025: $350), several LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime sets (each $399.95), a very large collection of LEGO® Technic™ parts, and other learning materials for use during classes.
LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this site. FIRST® is a trademark of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST®), which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this site. FIRST® LEGO® League (formerly also known as FLL®) is a jointly held trademark of FIRST and the LEGO Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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