Interested in robotics? Start here!

Below, the teens share recommendations for kids who might be interested in joining a robotics team. Their three biggest pieces of advice:

1. It’s totally fine to come in with no background in coding or engineering

2. Practice a “growth mindset” to help you take on new challenges and learn from mistakes

3. If you give STEM a try, you’ll find things you like—there’s something for everyone!
   

Programs to explore and skills to build

• LEGO engineering kits—FIRST also offers LEGO Leagues that start as young as ages 4-6

• Hummingbird robotics kits from BirdBrain Technologies—the Science Mill uses these for lots of programs!

• Hopscotch coding app—good for learning the basics of programming with visual cues

• Scratch coding platform—another good intro that lets you “build” with blocks of code

• Codecademy—helpful for learning a specific programming language, like Java or Python

• Work on your math skills—again, not a requirement, but they definitely help you decode what other teams did and breakdown challenges into solvable pieces

• Try problem-solving activities to think like an engineer—no need for fancy equipment here! Identify a problem, brainstorm solutions, use cardboard and recyclables to prototype your idea, then keep testing and improving. (Hands-on problem-solving is also great for building grit and resilience.) Check out our Think like a Robot Inventor blog for more ideas.