Robotics Classes for Kids

YEL Robotics Classes for Kids

Since 2004, YEL has offered robotics classes to thousands of kids. These budding engineers learn to unleash their inner-innovator and get a hands-on, foundational introduction to the world of robotics.

Why are robotics important for youngsters? Robotics is the future. Robotics has seen enormous growth in the last decade and the pace is rapidly increasing. Robotics is an excellent career path, so why not introduce the topic to your young roboticist! CLICK HERE to read more on the subject of Five Reasons Youth Robotics Education is so Important.

YEL robotics classes keep all kids engaged with hands-on, experiential based activities. Each class, students will design, build, program, test, and modify different robot projects. For instance, students will build a monkey, program it to play drums and sing. I mean, why not – it’s fun!

YEL Robotics classes for kids feature:

Our trademarked Teach It! Practice It! Play It!® methodology
- Teach It! – Each class the our robotics instructors lead a brief lesson in computer programming and basic engineering. Topics include, block programming, linear programming, loops, and different code. We use software designed for young learners, so it is accessible for students of multiple skill levels.
- Practice It! – During the Practice It! portion of class, students will build their robot project, program it, test it, modify it, and test it again. Students are given the freedom to experiment with different programming ideas and engineering applications.
- Play It! – Kids continue to explore their robot and investigate more unique ways to program it. For instance, if the students are working with an airplane, they can try programming it to stop turning the propeller whenever the nose of the plane is tilted straight up. They can share their project discoveries with the teacher, and may even be asked to showcase what they’ve learned to the entire class.
  Monkey Robot
Dynamic instructors – YEL instructors pride themselves on keeping all the kiddos engaged in their class. They are constantly canvassing the classroom, engaging students with questions, and ensuring all students are participating in the activities.
Comprehensive curriculum – YEL robotics classes feature years of curriculum. We currently have approximately 80 hours worth of classroom material and are developing more.
Prizes – YEL robotics classes award students with a sticker once they have finished all their projects for the day. After they have completed their projects, the students are encouraged to free-build and come up with their own creations for the remainder of class. This time can produce some amazing ideas. Our instructors are often blown away with ideas that students come up with that our teachers could never dream up. Students can also earn a “Student of the Day” pin for a number of reasons: 1) knowing more about robotics today than they did a few weeks ago; 2) being a great partner and teammate; 3) being a great helper with cleaning up their materials; 4) teacher’s discretion. NOTE: All students will receive a “Student of the Day” pin at some point during a session as long as the work hard and focus.

Find Classes

Visit our Registration page and put in your zip code to find chess classes in your area.
YEL offers after school classes at your school at the end of the school day.
YEL also offers summer camps in your community or near you.
Can’t find a YEL chess class near you? Email us at info@yelkids.com to discuss how to start classes in your area.

Summer Camps

What a great way to keep your child’s brain engaged! Summer Robotics Camps are day camps (usually 9am-noon, or 1-4pm) in your area. We come right to locations within your community and teach our robotics programs in a day camp setting. A great introduction to robotics.

Find Summer Camps

Other:

CLICK HERE to read more on the subject of Five Reasons Youth Robotics Education is so Important.
Looking for a more stearn challenge? CLICK HERE to learn about the next level in YEL Robotics, called Robotics Evolution Challenge.

FAQ | Robotics Classes for Kids

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1.Robotics FAQ
A list of frequently asked questions for robotics classes.
Do we get to keep the robots?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
This is a very common question. The LEGO materials that we use are quite expensive and allowing the students to take home any of the projects would drive the cost of the class up considerably. We can refer parents to places to purchase the LEGO kits we use.

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How do I register?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
To see a complete list of {YEL!} robotics classes at all of our schools, visit our REGISTRATION PAGE.

Step 1: enter your zip code. Then choose Robotics from Course Subject. You can filter by school, course name, start date, district, or teacher.

Feel free to email us further questions via our CONTACT PAGE.

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What will my child learn?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
The YEL Robotics classes for kids are introductory robotics and computer coding classes for kids. Students will learn basic engineering concepts like what is a lever, how gear ratios are calculated, and much more. Students will also learn basics of coding and gain comfort with linear coding, trouble shooting their own code, and perhaps loops.

Each session introduces new concepts and a unique array of projects.

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What are the pins for?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
We give out "Student(s) of the day" awards at each class. Students can earn these pins by creating a great free-build project, showing they have more knowledge about engineering and coding than they had in previous weeks, being a great teammate, helping the teacher with clean up, and more.

NOTE: Each child receives one pin and one pin only per session as long as they work hard and focus.

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What are the grade levels?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
YEL robotics classes are designed for students in first through fifth grades. What we have found is that some first graders fit in nicely, while others are thoroughly challenged. We have found the same with fourth and fifth graders. Some 4-5 graders love the class, others have had enough code already that this class is below their level. See our Robotics Evolution Challenge program if that is the case.

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Do you offer scholarships?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
Yes, we offer scholarships on an as-needs basis. This is also contingent on the current enrollment in the class.

Reach out to us at info@yelkids.com for more information.

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Where can I buy the kits?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
{YEL!} purchases our kits from LEGOEducation.com (https://education.lego.com/en-us/shop).

We use a variety of materials from LEGO Education starting with PreK kits all the way through middle school EV3 kits.

A quick note from experience. These kits are educational. I've purchased a number of them for my own children. Although they are intrigued at first, they tend to lose interest because of the educational component. As a metaphor, my kids love math, but I don't buy them a math book and say, "Play with it". They like to learn math in school, but don't want to "Play" math. So, I have found that sticking with traditional retail LEGO sets is tends to win the day.

That being said, kids love these classes. They learn a ton, hang with friends, and build new things each class.

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How much does the class cost?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
YEL Robotics classes for kids vary in cost dependent on facilities fees, teacher remuneration, and supply costs of the class.

We list the fees for each class on our Registration Page. Visit our Registration Page and search for classes by your zip code and Course Subject.

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Does my child need to know code for the robotics classes?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
No, we teach the code during this classes. The coding language is designed by a LEGO Education partner and is specific for the robotics classes.

Whether it is Robotics Junior, Robotics 2.0, or Robotics Evolution, the code is taught in class. The code uses a drag and drop method that is easy for students to incorporate quickly.

We'll go over coding concepts like linear code, loops, and more.

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What does STEM mean?
Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
STEM is an acronym meaning

Science

Technology

Engineering

Math

It is designed as a way for educators and parents to nurture students of all backgrounds in the above fields.
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What is STEAM?
Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
STEAM is an acronym for:

Science

Technology

Engineering

Art

Math

Art was added as a necessary component for young learners and their educators. Look no further than Apple products and how important the art of design was to their products.
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Can I see my child's projects?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
Absolutely! We encourage parents to visit classes 10-15 minutes before the end of class so their child can share what they built in class that day.

You can always take pictures or ask your child to with their own device.

Kids love this (their least favorite part of class is taking their projects apart).

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What is the class structure?
Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
All YEL classes follow a Teach It! Practice It! Play It!® structure.

Teach It! - The instructor leads a brief lesson on the engineering and coding concept of the day. How to explore that concept with the project, and any trouble spots with the project.

Practice It! - The students build a project (in some classes they work in pairs...pre/post COVID) and begin to explore how the engineering concepts.

Play It! - After completing the projects, the students make them work and explore the engineering concepts more deeply.
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My child is younger than the listed grades. Can I still sign up?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
If your child is younger than the listed grade levels, we won't exclude them, but parents should understand that our goal is to nurture and encourage understanding of the engineering concepts taught.

What we have found is that students younger than the grade levels listed get "bored" because the projects are too challenging for them and lose interest in the engineering projects and in the class.

We leave it up to parents to decide. You know your child best. But, keep in mind that your child may end up frustrated and not enjoy the class. Talk this over with your child before enrolling.

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I can't find a class. What do I do?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
If you can't find a class near you on our Registration Page, we suggest you reach out to us at info@yelkids.com. Perhaps we don't have classes in your area at this time, but we could soon, with your help.

YEL does offer franchise opportunities in dozens of states. We'd love to talk to you if you are interested in owning your own local YEL franchise! Visit our FRANCHISE PAGE for more information.

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How difficult are the projects?

Chet Gunhus17-02-2021
Each class title has unique projects. Each course, in turn, offers projects that start as very basic for the grade levels listed, and then get progressively more difficult. Younger students may not complete all the elements of a project, but will almost always complete the basic elements of each project.

An exception to this is our Varsity Builders Summer Camp. This features only moderate and difficult projects. Because summer camps have more time, we can complete these projects more easily.

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Why YEL Robotics?

Class Features

Find Classes

Summer Camps

Robotics FAQ

Other

Robotics Classes for Kids

YEL Robotics Classes for Kids

YEL Robotics classes for kids feature:

Find Classes

Summer Camps

Other:

FAQ | Robotics Classes for Kids

Information for Schools

Contact {YEL!}