Building Robots Together: Free Robotics Workshop at the Library

This summer, the Center for Future Innovators (CFI) kicked off our series of free STEAM workshops at the Blue Island Public Library with an exciting robotics session that gave students a chance to build, test, and learn through real experience.

The day began with a deep dive into how robots work. Students learned about the essential parts that make a robot move and think: wheels, motors, sensors, hubs, power sources, and code. Once they understood what each component does, it was time to build.

First, everyone created a simple drive base, giving their robots the ability to move forward and backward. With that challenge complete, students took on an extra step: designing a physical adjustment that let the robot steer using just one motor. It was amazing to see the students test different ideas and discover how a small change could completely affect the way a robot moves.

Next, each student built an obstacle course to test their robots. There were tight turns, tricky paths, and lots of cheering when robots made it through each course. When they didn’t, students went back to the drawing board, making adjustments and trying again.

To build on what they learned, students then tackled a new drive base using a gear chain to handle steering. This introduced them to the idea of precision. They could see right away how the gear system made steering much smoother and more accurate compared to a simple pivot design.

Workshops like this show what STEAM learning is all about: hands-on discovery, creativity, teamwork, and real problem-solving. Thanks to the Blue Island Public Library and our STEAM Leadership Education Grant, families can join these sessions at no cost.

We look forward to welcoming more students to our upcoming workshops. Let’s keep building and learning together.