Robotics

On this page, we list resources for learning robotics, local (San Mateo or adjacent counties) and online. The best known in our area are Lego and Vex, but there are also other options which we have listed below. 

Resources are classified by:

• Camp/Class: Teacher directed. Camps usually run for a shorter time, e.g. winter break or summer while classes span the school year.
• Community Team: Teams not affiliated with a particular school. Usually experience is not required to join, but often there is an application/selection process at the end of the season (start checking in April/May). 
• Competition: Student led with adult coaches. Families should factor in travel and registration costs for large competitions.
• League: Mix of teacher/student learning. Some have options to participate in competitions.

It's worth checking with your local homeschool group - they may organize classes or teams as well.

Lego

Lego robotics competitions are well established in the Bay Area. First Lego League has a set of competitions which run from elementary to middle school. From speaking with mentor parents, this is the easiest way to get started - start up costs are low, and teams use a standardized kit (e.g. Lego Spike Prime)

Beyond First Lego League, middle/high schoolers can participate in First Tech Challenge (FTC) or First Robotics Challenge (FRC). The FRC robots are larger and more impressive but practically speaking, out of budget for homeschoolers. At this level, students use off the shelf robotics components or even custom 3D print their own. The First Inspires site has a storefront where teams may order parts.  

Advice from mentor parents: Start with First Lego League events - homeschoolers can start their own teams and participate in local events - Playing at Learning lists competitions in the NorCal region. For FTC, families can search for community teams (teams which don't require a school affiliation, hence they would be open to homeschoolers) on the First Inspires site - be sure to select the correct season and level on the left column. 

Our spreadsheet below lists community teams in the Bay Area which have their own website or social media accounts so you can follow to see when they recruit (typically at the end of the season, or in summer). 

 

Vex

Vex is another popular robotics option - classes and worldwide competitions are available as well. 

Others

Besides Lego and Vex, other competitions are available as well (including Zero Robotics which is entirely web based, and free).