Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab launching FIRST LEGO League robotics program

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
Faulhaber Fab Lab students build a LEGO robot with the help of a student volunteer. The Fab Lab is launching a FIRST LEGO League robotics program in January.
Faulhaber Fab Lab students build a LEGO robot with the help of a student volunteer. The Fab Lab is launching a FIRST LEGO League robotics program in January.

The Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab is launching a FIRST LEGO League robotics program for local students.

The FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16 through fun, hands-on learning. Participants gain real world problem-solving experience through a guided, global robotics program. FIRST stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology."

April Pan is the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab's director of robotics.
April Pan is the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab's director of robotics.

The Fab Lab classes will teach students in grades 1-8 fundamentals of engineering as they 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 awards, including the 2021-22 first-place award for LEGO Robotics Design in Florida and a semifinal finish in the 2021-22 FIRST Global Innovation competition.

"My dream is to contribute my expertise to our community and promote robotics education so that more kids will get the chance to learn," Pan said. "Throughout learning robotics, kids will also build up their confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills."

Classes will run on Sundays from 1:30-5:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 15. Additional sessions for homeschool families will run on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting Jan. 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 like.

For the full schedule and more information, visit suncoastscience.org/lego.

Submitted by Jenn Sams Scott

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: FIRST LEGO League to debut in January at Suncoast Science Center