• July 2025

Robotics Basics at the Southeast Branch Library

From the Director’s Desk

July has been a month of exploration, creativity, and hands-on problem solving. Thanks to the support of our volunteers and the welcoming staff at the Austin Public Library – Southeast Branch, we’ve introduced a group of curious young minds to the basics of robotics. For many, it was their first time working with motors, sensors, and simple coding — and the energy in the room was electric.

 

 

Program Overview: Robotics for Beginners

Workshop Goals:

  • Introduce fundamental robotics concepts in a fun and accessible way.
     

  • Foster collaboration and teamwork through small-group activities.
     

  • Build problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
     

 

 

Key Activities

  1. Robot Building 101
     

    • Children learned how to assemble basic robot kits, identifying components like wheels, sensors, and controllers.
       

    • Volunteers guided them through safe tool handling and troubleshooting common assembly issues.
       

  2. Coding Made Simple
     

    • Using block-based programming software, students programmed robots to perform simple tasks — from moving in a straight line to navigating a small obstacle course.
       

    • This hands-on approach made abstract coding concepts tangible and exciting.
       

  3. Robotics Challenge Day
     

    • The month ended with a friendly competition: teams designed robots that could push lightweight objects across a finish line.
       

    • Winners received donated STEM activity kits to continue learning at home.
       

 

 

What the Kids Loved Most

  • Creative Freedom: Many children enjoyed customizing their robots with colorful designs and unique attachments.
     

  • Team Spirit: Working in pairs or trios allowed them to share ideas and learn from each other.
     

  • Instant Feedback: Seeing their code instantly affect their robot’s movements gave them a sense of real accomplishment.
     

 

 

Parent Feedback

Parents expressed excitement about the program’s impact. One mother shared:

“My son has always been curious about how things work. This workshop not only gave him answers but made him want to ask more questions. Now he’s talking about becoming an engineer.”

 

 

Volunteer Spotlight – Carlos Ramirez

Carlos, a robotics hobbyist and mentor, led much of the programming instruction. His enthusiasm was contagious, and his ability to break down complex ideas into bite-sized lessons kept every child engaged.

 

 

Why Robotics Matters for Our Mission

Robotics combines creativity, technology, and problem solving — exactly the skills our students need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. By making these experiences accessible, we’re ensuring that kids from all backgrounds can imagine themselves in STEM careers.

 

 

Next Month

August will bring a “Global Cultures & STEM” series where we blend science activities with cultural storytelling, reminding students that innovation and heritage can go hand in hand.