About
UP Robotics was founded by two dads committed to fostering curiosity and practical STEM skills in young learners.
Our story
UP Robotics started with us coaching our own kids in robotics. We saw, up close, that almost magical moment when a tricky concept finally clicks — when a stubborn build works, or a robot takes its first independent "steps." We couldn't find a program nearby that took that moment seriously, so we built one — with both competitive and non-competitive teams, so every child can find their place in STEM, whether they dream of tournament trophies or just love to build.
We call it our Two Dads ethos, and it's the soul of UP Robotics: our instructors aren't just teaching robotics — they're sharing something we truly love. They help kids find a place they belong, with the freedom to explore, create, fail, and try again. We believe that makes all the difference.
What we want most for every student is what we wanted for our own: the discovery that challenges are just puzzles waiting to be solved, and that wonderful, empowering spark of "I can do this!" Thanks for trusting us with your kids' curiosity. We can't wait to build with them.
— Matt & Tarun, the two dads behind UP Robotics
Our mission
To inspire a love of science, technology, engineering, and math by teaching students to be creative problem solvers and future innovators.
We believe robotics education can inspire a lifelong love of STEM in children. Students learn how to build and program robots, collaborate effectively, and interact positively with their teammates. We believe each student has the potential to become a creative problem solver and future innovator.
What we teach
Our hands-on curriculum covers:
- Robotics — LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime builds through competition-grade robots
- Coding — block coding for beginners, then Python and Java
- Engineering design — prototyping, iteration, and problem solving
- Drones — flight, sensors, and autonomous programming
Who we serve
We offer afterschool, weekend, summer, and homeschool programs for students in grades K–12, serving families from across the DMV — Bethesda and the greater Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.