Embedded Files
Expanding Access to Engineering Through Community Libraries
Regency Robotics Launch Event Recap
Regency Robotics is now an ongoing STEM program at Regency Park Library.
On April 6, Regency Robotics officially launched at Regency Park Library with 9 student participants ages 8–12.
Students rotated through three hands-on robotics stations:
• Line tracking using sensors
• Maze navigation with programming
• Obstacle course driving challenges
Participants worked alongside LED Robotics student volunteers to explore how robots move, sense their environment, and follow programmed navigation paths.
All participants successfully completed at least one robotics navigation challenge during the workshop.
The event was part of my Girl Scout Gold Award project and marks the beginning of an ongoing robotics program at the library.
Regency Robotics will continue as an ongoing STEM program at Regency Park Library, with upcoming workshops scheduled for June 25, 2026 and July 23, 2026 from 2–3:30 p.m. Additional future events are currently being planned to expand robotics learning opportunities within the community.
Project Overview
Regency Robotics is a library-based STEM outreach program I developed as part of my Girl Scout Gold Award to expand access to hands-on robotics learning opportunities for students ages 8–12. The program introduces engineering concepts through structured activity stations hosted at Regency Park Library and supported by LED Robotics student volunteers.
Rather than lending robotics equipment for checkout, Regency Robotics provides guided workshop experiences that allow students to explore robotics in a collaborative learning environment.
The workshop uses Makeblock mBot robots, which provide an accessible introduction to sensors, motion control, and programming concepts for beginner robotics learners.
The goal of this program is to make engineering education more accessible through repeatable, library-hosted robotics events.
Ana introduces students to the mBot robots alongside LED Robotics volunteers during the Regency Robotics launch event at Regency Park Library.
The Challenge
Many students are interested in robotics but do not have access to equipment outside school programs. Public libraries provide strong academic resources but rarely offer engineering tools that allow students to explore robotics in a hands-on environment.
Without early exposure to STEM learning opportunities, students may miss important chances to build confidence in engineering skills and develop interest in technical careers.
My Solution
To address limited access to robotics learning opportunities outside school environments, I developed Regency Robotics, a structured library-based workshop program supported by reusable activity stations and volunteer mentors.
The program includes:
• Beginner-friendly robotics kits used during hosted events
• Structured activity stations
• Printed setup guides for volunteers and staff
• Student volunteer leadership
• A structured program binder with station instructions and setup guides for future library and volunteer-led workshops
This model allows libraries to offer structured robotics programming without requiring equipment checkout systems or specialized technical staff.
Engineering Design Process
🔍 Identify Need
Students lacked access to robotics resources outside school environments.
📚 Research Solutions
I studied existing STEM outreach programs and library learning models.
✏️ Design Program
I designed activity stations using Makeblock mBot robots, developed setup guides, and created a volunteer-supported workshop structure.
🤖 Test Implementation
I partnered with Regency Park Library to prepare and conduct a pilot workshop.
📊 Evaluate Feedback
Parent surveys and student participation data helped refine station activities and improve workshop effectiveness.
🌍 Prepare Expansion
The program is being expanded through additional Regency Robotics workshops supported by reusable activity guides and student volunteers.
I used CADing software to design maze station components that support structured hands-on engineering challenges for student participants.
Pilot Workshop in Action
Students rotated through three structured robotics stations supported by LED Robotics volunteers, exploring sensors, programming logic, and navigation challenges.
Preparing the Robotics Stations
Preparing the line tracking paths before students arrived.
LED Robotics volunteers setting up obstacle course navigation challenge.
Finalizing robot setup and station instructions before rotations began.
Setting up all three robotics stations prior to the start of the event.
Line Tracking Challenge
LED Robotics volunteers introduce the line tracking challenge and explain how students will design their robot paths
Volunteers distribute laminated path segments used to create custom line tracking routes.
Students assemble and tape their line paths together before testing robot navigation.
Students observe their robot following the path they designed using sensor-based tracking.
Maze Programming Challenge
An LED Robotics volunteer introduces the maze programming challenge and explains how students will guide the robot through the course.
Students planning robot movement sequences through the maze.
LED Robotics volunteers explain how to use the Makeblock app for the maze programming challenge.
Ana sets up the robot to follow the program created by the students.
Obstacle Course Navigation Challenge
Students testing precision driving through engineering challenges.
Students guiding robots through obstacle course turns.
LED Robotics volunteers assist students with obstacle navigation strategies.
Students guiding robots down the obstacle course path.
Participant Feedback
Families and students responded positively to the hands-on robotics learning experience and station-based workshop format.
“Instructions were clear and she was able to complete without much difficulty.”
“Enjoyed coding the robots and guiding them through the obstacle course.”
“Great event and my daughter had fun!”
This feedback supports continued development of future Regency Robotics workshops and confirms that the station-based format is accessible for students ages 8–12.
Launch Workshop Evaluation Results
Survey responses from participating families were used to evaluate engagement, accessibility, learning outcomes, and interest in future Regency Robotics workshops.
All 9 participating families completed evaluation surveys following the workshop.
Most participating families rated the Regency Robotics launch workshop as Excellent, indicating strong engagement with the station-based learning format.
Most participating students reported increased interest in robotics after the workshop, demonstrating the effectiveness of the station-based workshop format.
The obstacle course navigation challenge was the most frequently selected favorite activity, while several students reported enjoying all stations equally.
Most families reported that instructions and activities were easy to follow, confirming that the station-based workshop format is accessible for students ages 8–12.
Nearly all participating families expressed interest in attending future Regency Robotics workshops, supporting continued program expansion at Regency Park Library.
These results demonstrate strong student engagement, accessible instruction, and sustained interest in future Regency Robotics workshops.
Community Impact
The Regency Robotics program introduces elementary and middle school students to robotics concepts through guided, hands-on activities hosted at Regency Park Library. By providing structured robotics workshops in a public library setting, the program expands access to engineering learning opportunities beyond traditional classroom environments.
Expected outcomes include:
• Increased access to hands-on robotics learning opportunities in the community
• Strong engagement from participating students during structured workshop activities
• Mentorship opportunities for high school robotics volunteers
• Reusable activity station guides and program documentation for future events
• A sustainable library-hosted robotics program model that can continue beyond the initial implementation
Community Outreach: STEMapalooza Demonstration
Girl Scouts participate in a hands-on robot navigation challenge during the Regency Robotics STEMapalooza outreach demonstration.
Guiding a participant through controlling a robot around obstacles while introducing basic engineering and problem-solving concepts.
Explaining the Regency Robotics workshop program and library partnership to families using the project posterboard, QR code resources, and a looping presentation featuring kickoff event photos and videos.
As part of the Regency Robotics initiative, I hosted an outreach booth at STEMapalooza to introduce Girl Scouts and their families to the robotics workshops offered at Regency Park Library.
Participants completed a hands-on robot navigation challenge by guiding a robot through an obstacle course. This activity helped students explore how robots respond to movement commands while practicing problem-solving and control skills.
During the event, I also shared information about upcoming workshops and provided access to project resources through a QR code linking to this site. An iPad display showing photos and video from the kickoff workshop provided additional context about the program and helped families understand what participants experience during Regency Robotics sessions. This outreach activity supported continued participation in Regency Robotics workshops and expanded awareness of the program within the community.
Community Outreach: Brownie STEM Workshop
Brownie Girl Scouts learn about the Regency Robotics Gold Award project while exploring robotics concepts, engineering design, and STEM outreach activities.
Participants practice robot navigation and problem-solving skills by guiding an mBot through a cone obstacle course.
Brownies collaborated to build a large circular line-tracker course, introducing teamwork and hands-on robotics programming concepts.
As part of the continued community outreach for Regency Robotics, I visited a Brownie Girl Scout troop at Starkey Ranch K-8 to introduce younger students to robotics and STEM concepts through hands-on activities.
During the visit, I shared my STEMapalooza presentation board and explained how I developed the Regency Robotics Gold Award project, including the design process behind the robotics stations and 3D-printed maze components. The Brownies were encouraged to ask questions about robotics, engineering, and the process of creating the program.
Participants then took part in interactive robotics activities, including driving an mBot through a cone obstacle course and working together to build a large circular line-tracker course for the robot to follow. These activities promoted teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and early exposure to engineering concepts in a fun and engaging environment.
This outreach event helped expand the impact of Regency Robotics by introducing elementary-aged Girl Scouts to STEM learning opportunities beyond the library workshops.
Future Expansion
Regency Robotics is designed as an ongoing library-based STEM program that will continue through scheduled workshops at Regency Park Library. Future sessions are planned for June, July, and September, with additional events supported by LED Robotics student volunteers and structured activity guides developed as part of this project.
The launch event served 9 student participants ages 8–12, all of whom completed hands-on robotics activities across three stations. LED Robotics student volunteers supported instruction at each station, helping participants test solutions and troubleshoot robot navigation challenges.
Future goals include:
• Continuing Regency Robotics events at Regency Park Library as part of ongoing youth STEM programming
• Expanding workshops to additional Pasco County library locations
• Training additional student robotics volunteers to support future events
• Refining activity station guides and program documentation
• Developing a replication toolkit for libraries and community organizations
• Increasing access to structured robotics learning opportunities for Girl Scouts and STEM clubs nationwide
Project Leadership
Role: Project Designer and Implementation Lead
I designed and implemented the Regency Robotics program as part of my Girl Scout Gold Award to expand access to hands-on engineering learning through public library workshops. I coordinated student robotics volunteers, developed activity station setup guides, partnered with Regency Park Library staff, and created a structured workshop model supported by a program documentation binder to enable future library-hosted robotics events. I also led the launch workshop event and coordinated student volunteers supporting all activity stations.
I developed visual outreach materials, including a poster display and a looping presentation of workshop activities, to help communicate the program to families and community members during outreach events. I also independently presented the program during community outreach events, including a hands-on robotics demonstration at STEMapalooza for Girl Scouts and their families.
This initiative reflects my commitment to expanding access to engineering education through hands-on learning and sustainable community partnerships.
Ana worked with Regency Park Library staff to assemble robotics kits used for Regency Robotics workshops, preparing materials for student events and supporting long-term library program sustainability.
Why This Project Matters
Library-hosted robotics programs create accessible opportunities for students to explore engineering concepts in a supportive community environment. Regency Robotics provides a structured model that libraries can use to introduce robotics through guided workshops rather than equipment checkout systems.
This approach supports long-term sustainability while expanding access to hands-on STEM learning experiences.
Learn More
To learn more about the Regency Robotics project or how libraries can implement similar programs, please contact:
Christiana “Ana” Thomas
Girl Scout Gold Award Candidate
Founder, Regency Robotics
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