After‑school build club for curious makers, ages 12–16
Hands‑on engineering with goBILDA, Arduino + LEDs, computer vision AI, and a mini Mars‑Rover challenge.
Register now → Fall session starts October 2025 (limited seats).
ROCO Robotics is a volunteer‑led makers program in Chicago where kids learn by building real hardware, writing real code, and working as a team. We combine the proven goBILDA FTC‑style platform with approachable electronics (Arduino) and beginner‑friendly AI vision to keep the learning curve exciting and achievable.
- Who: Kids ages 12–16 (no prior experience required)
- Where: Romanian Community Center, Chicago
- When: Weekly, 2 hour sessions on Saturdays at 2PM
- Mentors: Experienced engineers and parent volunteers
- Cost: We aim to keep this low‑cost via donations and sponsors
This summer our crew designed and assembled a robust goBILDA robot:
- Frame, drivetrain, gear ratios, and wiring
- Basic tele‑op control
- First autonomous moves
We captured highlights (photos + short clips) showing teamwork, problem solving, and those first magical inches of robot motion.
Add a short video montage here (30–45 sec) and a 3×3 photo grid.
We’re kicking off a new session with a seasonal maker mini‑arc, then we return to robots with fresh skills.
Create interactive Halloween pumpkins:
- Addressable LEDs (WS2812/“NeoPixel”) patterns
- Simple sensors (sound/IR button) for interactivity
- Basic Arduino code structure, variables, loops, and functions
- Safe tool use (hot glue, wire management)
Showcase: At ROCO, just before Halloween. Afterwards kids can take their projects to display at home and on their porch.
Take‑home: Kids keep their Arduino UNO‑compatible board and LED ring/strip to keep hacking at home.
Build on our summer robot with smarter capabilities:
- Mechanisms: arms, intakes, mounts
- Controls: gamepad tuning, driver practice
- AI camera: beginner object detection, AI vision and text synthesis.
- Autonomy challenge: navigate a short course using vision
Put it all together in a playful mission scenario:
- Rough‑terrain drivetrain and suspension basics
- Sensor fusion for navigation (IMU + camera markers)
- “Sample collection” game: pick up and deliver foam cores
- Team demo day for family + friends
- Project‑based: Every session produces visible progress
- Team roles: Builder, coder, tester, documenter—everyone contributes
- Real tools: Kids use the same parts and software the pros use
- Confidence first: We scaffold early wins, then climb steadily
- Mechanical design (chassis, gearing, fasteners)
- Electronics & wiring (power, polarity, safety)
- Programming fundamentals (Arduino C/C++, Python basics for vision)
- AI concepts (classification vs. detection, datasets, limits)
- Collaboration (stand‑ups, task boards, iterative improvements)
Final dates confirmed after registration closes.
- Pumpkin Glow Lab: 3–4 consecutive weeks in October
- goBILDA + AI: 6–8 weeks Nov–Jan (breaks for holidays)
- Mini Mars Rover: 4 sessions Feb–Mar, ending with Demo Day
Session length: 2 hours Time options: Weeknight early evening on Thursdays or Saturday afternoon (majority rules which one)
- A curious mind and a willingness to try
- Personal laptop (Windows/Mac/Linux OK). We have shared machines too.
We practice safe tool use, tidy wiring, and respectful teamwork. Parents/guardians sign a participation waiver; photo/video consent is optional and can be changed anytime.
- Volunteer: Join us as a build coach or classroom helper—no robotics experience required. We’ll train you.
- Sponsor a kit: Help a student take home an Arduino/LED starter pack or fund shared goBILDA/AI parts.
- In‑kind support: We welcome gently used laptops, storage bins, and hand tools.
Add a sponsor strip here (logo row) and a donation button.
Seats are limited. We keep groups small to maximize hands‑on learning. Pre‑register here to hold a spot; we’ll confirm your time slot and send the final calendar.
Insert registration link and form embed.
Is this for beginners? Yes. We start simple and build up. Do kids need a laptop? Recommended but not required; we have shared devices. What languages do you use? JAVA for GoBilda, Arduino C/C++ and light Python for AI demos. Is this an FTC team? We use FTC‑style hardware (goBILDA) and team habits; competition entry may be offered if enough interest. Make‑up sessions? We’ll share build notes and code so kids can catch up.
Questions? Want to help? Email: info@rocorobotics.org Location: Romanian Community Center (Chicago)
Drop in a hero video (15–20s), plus a 3×3 grid of action photos. Add a short caption to each: what was learned or discovered.
- Summer 2025 goBILDA build montage (short)
- Pumpkin Glow Lab teaser clips
- AI vision first‑try highlights
- Mini Mars Rover course map
Program leads: Dorin Ilie Acu and Constantin Gavrilescu Mentors: ROCO volunteers Hardware: goBILDA, Arduino, Raspberry Pi / AI camera