The Playbook

Academic Athlete Robotics Lab

Curiosity becomes engineering, coding, teamwork, and innovation.

Grades 4 to 12WeeklyDiscovery + FTC aligned

What it is


Robotics Lab turns curiosity into engineering and is the flagship STEM experience of The Playbook. Two pathways let a student enter in elementary school and grow all the way to a competition team, learning the full engineering cycle along the way.

Program PhotoSuggested image: A student team building and testing a robot

How it works


  • Discovery pathway for grades 4 to 6 with guided build and code challenges
  • FTC aligned team for grades 7 to 12 building toward the FIRST Tech Challenge
  • Design, CAD, programming, and iterative testing
  • An engineering notebook and community outreach
  • Scrimmages, qualifiers, and a family showcase

What students gain


Real engineering and coding skills
Teamwork and problem solving
Exposure to STEM careers
A portfolio of built and tested work

Get in the game

Every program is free or scholarship first for youth and runs on committed mentors and partners. Enroll a student, volunteer your time, or sponsor this program.