Throughout 2023-2024, the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), in collaboration with Google, held robotics workshops in fourteen locations across the US. 

At each stop, hundreds of students attended immersive, hands-on workshops to dive into the exciting world of STEM and robotics. Nearly 700 students, primarily middle schoolers, participated, with almost 600 exploring robotics for the first time. Students were guided by dedicated RECF staff, Google volunteers, and local community members. 

For many students, this was their first opportunity to collaborate as a team, solve real-world problems, and unlock their creativity while learning new skills. The experience left a lasting impression. “I had fun, and now I’m thinking about robotics as a career,” shared one excited student participant. 

“Our goal is simple: to give students the opportunity to experience STEM in a safe and inclusive environment – one where the power of learning is greater than the fear of failure,” said Program Manager at Google, Dawn Kuenzi.

The impact was immediate and powerful. What started as simple robot pieces and parts quickly transformed into fully functioning machines, giving students technical skills and newfound confidence. Guest speakers from Google and local communities shared their personal journeys in STEM, inspiring students to envision themselves as future engineers, coders, and technology leaders.

“With Google’s generous support, we expanded hands-on robotics education, allowing more students to design, build, and operate robots in a dynamic and inspiring environment,” said, CEO of RECF, Dan Mantz. “Beyond the excitement of the experience, it helped equip students with essential STEM skills and highlights various career opportunities available to the next generation of innovators.”

Watch the video to see students dive into robotics and have fun while learning.