Pictured: Students build LEGO robot with the help of a student volunteer. Photo courtesy of The Suncoast Science Center.

The Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab is excited to be launching a FIRST® LEGO® League Robotics program for local students. FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping today's students and teachers build a better future together. The project-based classes offered at the Fab Lab will teach students in grades 1-8 the fundamentals of engineering as they explore real-world problems, engage in problem-solving and learn to program robots using Scratch programming language. Students will build and code LEGO robots to navigate the missions of a robot game. Previous coding experience is NOT needed. Students will not be required to compete in the FIRST® LEGO® League to participate in the classes, but those who desire to do so will have the option. Classes will be taught by Fab Lab Robotics Director April Pan with the assistance of high school student volunteers. Pan has studied and worked in Electrical/Robotics Automation, Professional Information Tech, Mathematical/Actuarial and STEM education fields. She has coached multiple FIRST® LEGO® League teams and helped lead them to win awards such as the 2021-2022 first-place award for LEGO Robotics Design in Florida and the 2021-2022 FIRST® Global Innovation Award semifinalist title. Each class is $55 and will run Sundays from 1:30-5:30 pm beginning January 15. Additional sessions for homeschool families will run on Wednesdays from 9:00 am-1:00 pm starting January 11. Students embark on a new robot-building mission every class, so participants may sign up for as few or as many sessions as they'd like. Registration is now open, but limited spaces are available. For the full schedule and more information, visit https://suncoastscience.org/lego.

Pictured: Students build LEGO robot with the help of a student volunteer. Photo courtesy of The Suncoast Science Center.