Robotics | Future Innovators

Build. Code. Compete.

Hands-on robotics programs that grow with your child from beginner builders to competition-ready engineers.

The CFI Robotics Journey

At the Center for Future Innovators, robotics is discovery, creativity, and teamwork. Students begin with hands-on LEGO builds, then grow into real engineering challenges with sensors, coding, and design. Our pathway brings learners from first builds to competition-ready skills, supported by experienced instructors and a welcoming community. CFI teams compete at the local, state, national, and world levels. Your child can start at the right step and progress with clear goals, six-week sessions, and projects that build confidence.

View upcoming robotics classes

Open Lab Robotics Program

CFI Robotics Bridgeport Center

Open Lab is a flexible weekend program where young makers learn by doing with clear guidance. Students progress at their own pace through our project-based curriculum. Each session blends hands-on building with simple coding challenges. Your child will be guided by instructors to keep them leveling up, practicing real engineering concepts and creative problem solving in a friendly, supportive space.

Dual Language STEAM Night

This free program resumes in January 2026. The initial schedule will be released in November.

Dual Language STEAM Night is a free bilingual robotics and family learning program starting January 2026 at the Bridgeport Robotics Center. Each session features hands-on LEGO Robotics projects taught in English and a partner language. The first series will include Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese, with plans to add more languages as the program grows. Families learn together, build together, and strengthen communication using shared STEM vocabulary at home and in school.

Quick Facts

Who: Children ages 5 to 8 with a parent or guardian
Languages: English plus Spanish, Chinese, or Japanese
When: Monthly evening workshops beginning January 2026
Cost: Free. All materials provided
Staffing: Led by bilingual educators with support from trained student volunteers and community partners
Location: Bridgeport Robotics Center

What to Expect

Bilingual instruction: Robotics concepts in English and a partner language
Project-based learning: Design, build, and program LEGO robots together
Family focus: Parents and children collaborate side by side
Vocabulary building: Practice technical terms in both languages for deeper conversations at home

Read the Grant Announcement

Supported by the JCCC Foundation’s 2025 Student Development and Achievement Grant.

LEGO Robotics Garage

Launching January 2026 at the Bridgeport Robotics Center.

The LEGO Robotics Garage is a creative engineering workshop for advanced builders. Students design and build ambitious robots using LEGO EV3 kits with full access to motors, sensors, and tools. Work is hands-on and instructor-guided. Students choose projects, prototype ideas, and iterate with coaching to build real engineering skills.

Quick Facts

Format: 6 weeks, 1 hour per session
Location: Bridgeport Robotics Center

What Students Practice

Mechanical design and gearing
Sensor use and data-driven behavior
Autonomous navigation and testing
Iteration, documentation, and teamwork

After-School
Robotics Programs

Serving Chicagoland

CFI partners with schools across Illinois to bring robotics education directly to students after class. Programs focus on hands on learning, teamwork, and creativity through LEGO based engineering. Sessions are typically six weeks, one hour per week, and align with each school’s schedule.

Request Robotics at Your School

LEGO Robotics Pathway

Our LEGO Robotics Pathway is a structured six-step sequence that takes students from first builds to advanced engineering using age-appropriate LEGO robotics kits. Each course runs for six weeks at one hour per week in person at the Bridgeport Robotics Center and blends hands-on building with guided coding and testing. Instruction is project-based and instructor-led led so students learn core concepts like motion, gearing, sensors, loops, and autonomous control while practicing teamwork and problem-solving. Every class includes work in an engineering notebook where students record pseudocode, design sketches, test results, reflections, and short discussions on real-world engineering applications. Readiness is based on mastery rather than age alone, and completing a course allows students to move to the next level even if they are younger than the suggested range.

Robotics 101

Ages 4 to 5

Playful first builds introduce motor movement, simple pulleys to transmit motion, and the light sensor as a start/stop trigger. Students change LED colors based on conditions and practice basic sequencing to understand motion and simple coding.

Robotics 102

Ages 5 to 7

Students build more complex mechanisms and use conditional logic with sensors to control behavior. The tilt sensor becomes a key input as they create event driven actions, add simple loops, and strengthen structures for reliable motion.

Robotics 103

Ages 7 to 9

Advanced builds use full gear trains for power and speed changes, plus interlocking parts for strength. Students integrate limit switches and sensor safeguards to prevent overextension while testing, debugging, and improving performance.

Robotics 104

Ages 8 to 10

Capstone foundations projects coordinate multiple motions, often driving several mechanisms from one motor using power splitting techniques similar to a differential. Students combine multiple sensors with structured logic for precise, repeatable control.

Students building advanced lego robots.HEIC

Robotics 201

Grades 4 - 8

Using LEGO Spike Prime, students advance mechanical design and integrate color, distance, and gyro sensors for accurate navigation. Coding is done in LEGO’s Scratch based environment with variables, functions, and reusable blocks for clean solutions.

Robotics 202

Grades 5 - 8

Students program autonomous missions with multi step routines, reliable sensing, and refined motion control. Work centers on planning, testing, and iteration to achieve consistent results using LEGO’s Scratch based code.