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Founder of RAIL
Creator of Regency Robotics
FIRST Robotics Team 6722
I am a high school robotics student and aspiring aerospace engineer focused on expanding access to STEM education through community-based engineering programs.
I founded RAIL (Robotics Advancement in Libraries), a community initiative designed to bring hands-on robotics education to public libraries through sustainable and replicable workshop programs.
As part of this initiative, I created Regency Robotics, the pilot RAIL program at Regency Park Library and the foundation of my Girl Scout Gold Award project. Across four workshops, I developed and implemented 12 hands-on robotics activities that introduced 36 students to engineering, programming, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Following the success of the pilot program, I expanded RAIL beyond Regency Park Library, leading its first workshop at South Holiday Library in October 2026. The program has now served 42 students across five library workshops, with another workshop scheduled at Starkey Ranch Library in November 2026.
RAIL has also been featured by Tampa Bay 28 ABC News and presented at community STEM outreach events, demonstrating the program's potential to engage students and expand access to robotics education.
In addition to leading Regency Robotics workshops, I have presented the program at STEMapalooza, led Girl Scout STEM outreach events, and continue mentoring younger students through hands-on robotics and engineering activities while contributing to FIRST Robotics Competition robot development. I am also a member of the National Honor Society.
This portfolio highlights my engineering projects, leadership experience, robotics outreach initiatives, and community impact work.
Featured Projects & Recognition
Explore my engineering projects, community outreach initiatives, and achievements, including the completion of the Regency Robotics pilot program, the development of the RAIL framework, and recognition for expanding access to STEM education.
Featured by Tampa Bay 28 ABC News
Featured by Tampa Bay 28 ABC News
Regional news coverage highlighting how Regency Robotics and the RAIL framework are expanding access to STEM education through public libraries.
Girl Scout Gold Award Project
Girl Scout Gold Award Project
Explore the complete Gold Award portfolio, from initial planning through implementation, outreach, evaluation, and long-term sustainability.
Robotics Advancement in Libraries (RAIL)
Robotics Advancement in Libraries (RAIL)
Explore the RAIL framework, a replicable robotics education model developed to help public libraries introduce hands-on STEM programming. Learn how the program expanded from Regency Park Library to South Holiday Library, with additional locations planned.
Regency Robotics
Regency Robotics
Explore the original RAIL pilot program at Regency Park Library, including all four workshops and 12 robotics activities, engineering challenges, activity guides, project milestones, and measurable community impact.
Explore the Project
Browse the pages below to learn about the RAIL framework, the Regency Robotics pilot program, engineering documentation, and implementation resources.
RAIL Framework
RAIL – Learn about the framework, mission, goals, and educational model.
RAIL Framework – Discover how libraries can implement the RAIL framework.
Resources for Libraries – Implementation toolkit, documentation, equipment, volunteer model, and replication guide
Regency Robotics
Regency Robotics – Explore the founding library program and its community impact.
Timeline – Project development from planning through expansion
Workshop Implementation – How a workshop is organized and delivered
Activity Station Guides – Step-by-step instructions for each robotics activity.
Project Gallery – Workshop photos and engineering stations
Program Evaluation – Did the program achieve its goals?
Media & Recognition – News coverage, outreach, and community recognition
Engineering Resources – CAD files, templates, and technical resources.
RAIL at a Glance
5
Library workshops completed
42
Students served
12
Robotics activities developed
3
Library branches involved in RAIL
Project Highlights
• Girl Scout Gold Award Project
• Featured on Tampa Bay 28 ABC News
• Supported by LED Robotics student volunteers
• Presented at community STEM outreach events
• Expanding across Pasco County libraries
Results include the four-workshop Regency Robotics pilot at Regency Park Library and RAIL's first expansion workshop at South Holiday Library. A third library location, Starkey Ranch, is scheduled to host a workshop in November 2026.
A student works with LED Robotics volunteers to assemble a line-tracking course during RAIL's first workshop at South Holiday Library in October 2026. The activity introduces students to sensor-based navigation, engineering design, and teamwork.
From Pilot Program to County-Wide Expansion
In September 2026, Regency Robotics reached an important milestone with the completion of its four-workshop pilot program at Regency Park Library. Through the development of 12 hands-on robotics activities, the program introduced 36 students to engineering, programming, teamwork, and problem-solving.
What began as a Girl Scout Gold Award project has grown into RAIL (Robotics Advancement in Libraries), a replicable robotics education initiative expanding across Pasco County. In October 2026, Ana successfully led RAIL's first workshop at South Holiday Library, introducing six additional students to hands-on robotics activities. With 42 students served across five workshops and another library workshop scheduled at Starkey Ranch in November, RAIL continues working toward making robotics education more accessible throughout the community.
Contact
Interested in bringing RAIL to your library or learning more about the program? RAIL is expanding across Pasco County, and I welcome opportunities to collaborate with libraries, schools, and community organizations to bring hands-on robotics education to more students.
Christiana “Ana” Thomas
Founder, RAIL (Robotics Advancement in Libraries)
✉️ christianathomas2027@gmail.com
Libraries, schools, and community organizations are welcome to reach out regarding workshops, presentations, or future collaboration opportunities.
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