Embedded Files
Overview
Regency Robotics workshops introduce students ages 8–12 to robotics through structured, hands-on engineering activities hosted at Regency Park Library. The program is designed to support recurring library STEM workshops using reusable activity stations, standardized implementation resources, and trained student volunteers.
Students rotate through three activity stations that introduce robotics, programming, computational thinking, and engineering design while building confidence through guided experimentation.
A participant lines up her mBot for the Bowling Challenge during the July Regency Robotics workshop. After programming the robot’s movements, students test their code and adjust their approach as they work to knock down the custom 3D-printed bowling pins.
Workshop Structure
The workshop is organized into three rotating activity stations, allowing students to experience multiple robotics challenges during a single session. Each activity is designed to take approximately 15 minutes, with participants rotating to the next station after completing each challenge.
RAIL currently includes a library of nine reusable robotics activities. Three activities are selected for each workshop based on participant age, available space, equipment, and event goals.
Line Tracking Challenge
Maze Programming Challenge
Obstacle Course Navigation
Dinosaur Rescue Mission
Crazy Frog Programming Challenge
Robot Art Studio
Soccer Challenge
Bowling Challenge
Racing Challenge
Because each activity is modular and independently documented, libraries can select different combinations of activities for future workshops and incorporate new activities as the RAIL program continues to grow.
Workshop Timing
RAIL workshops are typically scheduled for 90 minutes to allow adequate time for introductions, station rotations, transitions, and closing discussion. The core workshop activities generally take approximately one hour, depending on group size and participant engagement.
Each activity station is designed for approximately 15 minutes, with additional time provided for the opening introduction, safety instructions, transitions, and closing discussion.
Volunteer Leadership
High school robotics students support each workshop by mentoring participants throughout the activity stations.
Volunteer responsibilities include:
Demonstrating how robots operate
Helping students troubleshoot challenges
Encouraging teamwork and experimentation
Supporting safe use of robotics equipment
This mentorship model allows younger students to learn from experienced robotics participants while building leadership experience for volunteers.
Christiana trains student robotics volunteers on maze station programming procedures using the mBot app prior to the Regency Robotics workshop, preparing volunteers to guide participants through navigation challenges.
Christiana works with Regency Park Library staff to review robotics kits and coordinate activity station materials for the Regency Robotics workshop program, supporting implementation of a repeatable library-hosted STEM outreach model.
Library Partnership
I partnered with Regency Park Library staff to prepare materials, organize activity stations, and support workshop logistics.
Libraries provide an ideal environment for STEM outreach because they are accessible community learning spaces that serve students from a wide range of backgrounds.
This partnership helps make robotics education available beyond traditional classroom settings.
Library staff also provide valuable feedback after each workshop, helping refine activities and improve the implementation resources used throughout the RAIL framework.
This partnership model is designed to be replicated at additional libraries, with RAIL providing the activity resources, volunteer support, and implementation guidance needed to help library staff successfully host a workshop.
Program Documentation Binder
To support long-term sustainability, I am developing a comprehensive implementation binder that will allow RAIL workshops to be delivered consistently by libraries and student volunteers.
As each engineering activity is created, tested, and refined through live workshops, the corresponding setup guides, materials lists, volunteer instructions, and implementation resources are added to the documentation. This iterative process ensures the final RAIL implementation binder is based on real-world experience rather than theoretical planning.
Once complete, the binder will provide libraries with the resources needed to independently implement the RAIL workshop model.
An LED Robotics volunteer guides participants through programming an mBot for the Bowling Challenge during the July Regency Robotics workshop. Students use laptops and the mBlock software to program the robot’s movements before testing their code on the activity course.
Materials Used
RAIL workshops use beginner-friendly robotics kits and reusable activity materials designed for repeated implementation.
Materials include:
Makeblock mBot robots
Laptop computers with the mBlock programming software
Reusable robotics activity materials
Laminated line-tracking paths
Modular maze components
Obstacle course materials
Dinosaur Rescue Mission pieces
Crazy Frog Programming Challenge materials
Large drawing paper and markers for Robot Art Studio
Printed station setup guides and volunteer documentation
Soccer Challenge goals and activity materials
Bowling Challenge custom 3D-printed pins
Racing Challenge course materials
These materials allow the workshop to be used for recurring Regency Robotics events and adapted for implementation at additional library locations.
Workshop Flow
Each Regency Robotics workshop follows a repeatable implementation process:
Welcome and workshop introduction
Safety and robot demonstration
Three 15-minute activity station rotations
Volunteer mentoring and troubleshooting
Closing discussion and participant feedback
Parent evaluation surveys
Ana welcomes participants and introduces the workshop structure, explaining the engineering activities and station rotations before students begin the Regency Robotics program.
What the Host Library Provides
RAIL is designed to minimize the resources required from the host library. The library primarily provides:
An indoor program space with room for three activity stations
Tables and chairs as needed for selected activities
Access to electrical outlets
Participant registration and library promotion
A library staff contact to coordinate scheduling and logistics
Assistance with room setup and library-specific procedures as needed
For RAIL workshops led by Ana and her team, RAIL provides the robotics equipment, activity materials, setup instructions, and trained student volunteers needed to conduct the workshop. Libraries interested in implementing the program independently can use the RAIL implementation resources to establish their own equipment, activities, and volunteer model.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse