Building Bots and Big Ideas in Blue Island

The clicks of LEGOs and the spark of discovery fill the air. Every table is a hub of invention, where students work side-by-side, surrounded by robot parts, gears, and electric excitement.

Each student has their own robot kit open in front of them, ready to explore. The room hums with a special kind of energy, the kind that only happens when kids are learning with their hands, minds, and hearts.

One week, the room transformed into a garden of buzzing bots as we dove into our Pollination Project. Students learned how bees pollinate flowers by building a robotic bee that flew in circles over a LEGO flower. Hidden within the LEGO petals was a light sensor. When the bee flew close enough, the sensor detected it and triggered the bee to pause and "gather pollen."

In this single lesson, students absorbed biology concepts about pollination, explored mechanical engineering by building gear chains to control the bee’s flight, and learned the fundamentals of coding using conditional logic. They saw firsthand how technology can replicate nature and how a simple sensor can bring a model to life.

Who We Are: CFI Robotics @ Blue Island Public Library

The Center for Future Innovators (CFI Robotics NFP) is a nonprofit that believes in the power of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) to shape young minds. We believe learning should be hands-on, engaging, and fun, and accessible to all students, regardless of background.

That’s why, for the past four years, we’ve proudly partnered with the City of Blue Island Public Library to bring free, high-quality robotics and STEAM programs to families across the Blue Island area. What began as small Saturday workshops has grown into full robotics seasons filled with science projects, coding missions, and student-led creations.

These programs are made possible thanks to generous support from the Blue Island Public Library, STEM Learning Grants, and donors who believe in a brighter, tech-powered future for every child.

Beyond robotics, CFI has brought a wide range of programs to the Library, including:

• Junior Master Gardener: Learn to grow plants sustainably using hydroponics and environmental science.

• Science Lab: Dive into hands-on experiments that reveal the mysteries of the natural world.

• 3D Design & Printing: Transform digital designs into real-world models using 3D printers.

• Minecraft Engineering: Build bridges, machines, and cities inside Minecraft to explore real engineering challenges.

• Scratch Coding: Introduce students to the logic of programming through interactive storytelling and game design.

• URC Robo Sumo: Students build bots and battle them in safe, strategic sumo-style competitions.

• Circuit Design: Use breadboards and wires to learn how electricity powers our world.

And every Monday, you’ll still find Dr. Hofer, one of our dedicated board members, teaching a public speaking and interview prep course at the Library, just one of the many ways CFI Robotics continues to show up for this community.

About This Program: Science, Engineering, and Robots That Move

In this year’s Blue Island Robotics class, we built more than robots; we built curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Each session followed a fun, engaging structure:

1. Science First: We began every class with a science lesson. Topics included volcanoes, pollination, animal movement, and natural disasters. Our goal? To connect every robot to a real-world concept.

2. Build the Bot: After the science, students became engineers, constructing robots using LEGO robotics kits, integrating gears, axles, and sensors.

3. Code It to Life: Lastly, students programmed their robots to move using simple coding languages. These bots were autonomous, meaning they relied entirely on the students’ logic and sensor input, not remote controls.

Students used LEGO WeDo 2.0 kits in this session, chosen for their intuitive design, accessible programming platform, and perfect blend of education and fun. These kits give young learners the tools to explore serious concepts like gear ratios and input/output systems, all while building something that moves, flashes, spins, or buzzes.

No two robots were the same. Some flew. Others rumbled. A few danced. Every one of them told a story about how science and creativity come together in robotics.

Deep Dive: Volcano Alert!

What’s more exciting than a robot? A robot that helps save lives!

In our Volcano Alert lesson, students became volcanologists, scientists who monitor volcanic activity. We started by learning about the three stages of a volcano:

• Extinct – No longer active

• Dormant – Could erupt again, but currently quiet

• Active – Erupting or likely to erupt soon

To keep nearby communities safe, scientists use color-coded alerts:

• Green: All clear

• Yellow: Possible rumbling, stay alert

• Orange: Minor activity, prepare to evacuate

• Red: Major activity or imminent eruption

Armed with this knowledge, our students built their own robotic alert systems. Using LEGO WeDo components, they programmed their bots to react to different alert levels. Some robots flashed warning lights, and others played sounds.

We also discussed how real-life scientists use drones and robots to explore dangerous volcano zones. That inspired students to imagine what their robotic explorers might look like.

Every robot was different, and every robot had a purpose. Every student walked away knowing more about the earth, engineering, and the incredible role technology plays in keeping us safe.

What’s Next for CFI in Blue Island?

There’s so much more ahead!

CFI Robotics continues to expand throughout Blue Island and beyond. In addition to our ongoing partnership with the Blue Island Public Library, we now offer after-school programs in schools across the region.

Interested in bringing CFI to your school? Reach out to Executive Director Brian Meadows at 📧 bmeadows@future-innovators.org

We also host workshops, competitions, and family-friendly STEAM nights to bring entire communities together around creativity and learning. More programs are available at our Bridgeport Robotics Center.

Our mission is simple: deliver accessible, high-quality STEAM education to every neighborhood. And Blue Island is a huge part of that vision.

Want to help?

• 💖 Donate to support more Blue Island programs

  https://www.future-innovators.org/donate/cfi

  
  

• 🧑‍🏫 Join our team as a STEAM teacher in Blue Island

  https://www.future-innovators.org/careers

  
  

We’re looking for passionate, curious people who love LEGO, teaching STEAM, and want to make a difference.

Thank You, Blue Island!

This season’s robotics program wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support of the City of Blue Island Public Library, our incredible volunteers, and the families who champion our mission.

We’re deeply grateful to the parents who make sure their kids arrive ready to learn, to the library staff who open their doors and hearts to us, and to the students who remind us week after week why we do what we do.

Whether it’s a robot bee, a volcano sensor, or a sumo bot, every project is proof that when we work together, we build more than machines, we build momentum.