Robot Explorers
A playful weekly LEGO robotics and beginner coding class for students in grades 1–3 at UP Robotics in Bethesda, MD.
Grades 1–3 · No experience needed
Robot Explorers turns a child's natural curiosity into a first engineering habit: build something, test it, change it, and try again. Students use LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential to make robots move, light up, and respond through playful weekly challenges.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Grade range | Grades 1–3 |
| Class length | 1 hour, once a week |
| Tuition | $185 every 4 weeks |
| Experience | None required |
| Format | Small-group, hands-on building and coding |
What students do
- Build a different working mechanism or robot around each challenge.
- Use icon- and block-based code to control motors, lights, and sensors.
- Predict what the robot will do, test it, and debug with an instructor.
- Explain their design and learn to collaborate without losing hands-on time.
Who thrives here
This is the best starting point for grades 1–3, especially children who love LEGO, machines, stories, puzzles, or figuring out how things work. Students do not need prior robotics or coding experience. A third grader ready for longer projects and more independent coding may also consider Intro to Robotics.
Weekly schedule
Choose one recurring time during registration. Omnify shows current availability.
- Monday 4:30 – 5:30 pm
- Thursday 4:30 – 5:30 pm
- Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Saturday 9:00 – 10:00 am
- Saturday 10:30 – 11:30 am
- Saturday 12:30 – 1:30 pm
- Sunday 9:00 – 10:00 am
- Sunday 10:30 – 11:30 am
- Sunday 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Enrollment
Registration is specific to Robot Explorers. The button below goes directly to this class—not the general booking homepage.
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Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to know how to read or code?
No. Instructors introduce the tools visually and guide students from their first build through their first program.
Is this a competition team?
No. Robot Explorers is a weekly learning class with no tournament or team-season commitment.
What comes next?
Most students progress to Intro to Robotics when they are ready for longer builds, more independent troubleshooting, and deeper coding.