This immersive, in-person class introduces young adults ages 11-14 to the world of robotics through hands-on learning. Students will have access to their own individual LEGO MINDSTORM robot kits for the duration of the class, and will be able to design, build and program their very own robots! As they guide their robot through various challenges and tasks, students will not only learn the basics of robotics, but will also develop critical thinking, research and presentation skills—all while having fun with LEGOS. 

Due to the complexity involved in learning robotics, this program is kept intentionally small, with each class limited to 10 students maximum and two instructors at each class in order to maximize time building valuable skills in programming and problem solving. Laptops and robotics kits have been generously provided to us for this course, and there are no other materials required.

This program offers students at any level an opportunity to join and grow; students with prior experience will build on their existing skills, and complete beginners will get the chance to become pros! At any level, your child will have a lot of (educational) fun!

THREE LEVELS OFFERED

The program is offered at three levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Each level is offered twice this summer. Every session takes place at our facility from 1-4pm. Please see below for the dates and individual descriptions of each session:

• Intermediate is perfect for students who have just completed our beginner level course and want to move on to more challenging tasks. We also recommend it to students who have had prior experience with LEGO Robotics and are looking to expand that knowledge. Some key concepts include programming the robot to perform autonomous tasks, and exploring the use of sensors and programming logic for navigation purposes.
  • Dates:  August 9-13 (Session 2B)
• Advanced is designed for students who are ready for serious, competition-level tasks. Students who have completed both our beginner and intermediate classes will find this to be an exciting and challenging culmination of the two earlier sessions.
  • Dates:  August 16-20 (Session 2C)
• If your child is interested in taking all three courses consecutively, you can sign up for all three at once and receive a small discount.  
  • Dates: Combined Session 2 takes place 1-4pm M-F, August 2-20. 

Students with prior experience are welcome to self-select the level that suits their needs, and are encouraged to reach out to us with questions via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. about placement if unsure. We recommend that students joining us  at the Intermediate or Advanced levels be familiar with the key concepts listed above in the course descriptions for the levels prior to the one they are joining.

Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, TVCOG has instituted a voluntary three-tier fee structure for our Summer Robotics Program. You may choose the pricing tier that is most suitable for your family. It is really an honor system; you tell us what is affordable for your family. 

This program is voluntary and in no way influences the experience children receive, yet it offers the opportunity for families to take an active role in supporting the true cost of their child's program experience. 

HOW IT WORKS

• Tier I is our subsidized base rate and does not reflect the true cost of operating this program.
• Tier II is our partially subsidized fee for those who can pay a little more but still cannot afford the actual cost of this program. 
• Tier III more closely accounts for the true costs of the program, including administrative time, building usage and utilities, and insurance.

INDIVIDUAL SESSION PRICING

Tier I: $220 Tier II: $260 Tier III: $300

COMBINED SESSION PRICING

Tier I: $600 Tier II: $720 Tier III: $840

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND FEES

Our tiered pricing program is made possible thanks to the generous donation of equipment and time from COG members, as well as individual donations to our THINQubator general operating fund. The generosity of our members also allows us to offer these courses without any additional fees for program materials; laptops and robotics kits will be provided at no additional cost to you.

• Current COG members receive a $20 discount, which will be automatically applied during the registration process. You must be signed in to your account in order for the discount to be applied.
• A $60 discount is automatically applied to everyone who signs up for either of the Combined Sessions. 
  • We also offer a $10 discount code on future weeks when you register for the individual sessions. For example, if your child wants to try attending Session 1A before committing to Session 1B, you will still be able to receive a discount for 1B. Please note that this only applies when open registration slots for additional sessions remain and are available by request.
  • Families signing up multiple children are welcome to use the tiered payment system to give themselves a multi-child discount, but will need to register each child individually in order to do so. 

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Additional financial assistance may be available for certain sessions, on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for more information either via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone at 518-244-3544. 

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

Cancellations must be made 2 weeks (10 business days) before class start dates and will be subject to a $35 administration fee. Cancellations made after this date will not be refunded, unless due to illness. 

Classes will be limited to 10 students total in order to ensure social distancing, and will take place in our large classroom, closed off from the rest of the facility. At this time, TVCOG requires that all unvaccinated individuals, regardless of age, wear a mask while in the facility. We reserve the right to request proof of vaccination via the Excelsior Pass.  This policy includes instructors and TVCOG members who are using the facility; parents will also be asked to follow our mask policy when picking up their student. All students will be asked to wear masks while in the classroom; mask breaks will be given outside. Vaccinated students will have the option of removing their mask in the general facility while not in class.

 Students and parents will be asked to sign forms acknowledging and agreeing to the following terms during the registration process:

• Students are required to wear masks at all times while attending camp.
• Handwashing breaks will be required for all students throughout the class as directed by the instructor.
• Students should remain 6ft apart.
• Sharing of food, toys, electronics will not be permitted

Instructors will review these policies again with the students directly on the first day of each session. If your child is unable to adhere to our COVID program protocols, then said child will be asked to be removed to assure the safety of fellow students, staff, instructors and TVCOG members.

Parents will also be asked to sign forms acknowledging that they agree not to send their child to class if they have exhibited symptoms of, or been potentially exposed to, COVID-19. If this is the case, parents should contact us immediately.

• About Our Instructors: This program is taught by Sam Bonfante and Meeghan Appleman, volunteer coaches for TVCOG's First Lego League Team, and experienced Lego Robotics instructors.
• Daily Schedule: Due to the limited time we have, all program time will be spent on robotics concepts and programming. Class takes place from 1-4pm every day in our SEFCU Community Room.
  • Breaks: 10-15 minute snack/mask breaks will be taken outdoors halfway through the class; snacks will be provided but students are allowed to bring their own if preferred. Students should arrive 5-10 minutes early in order to be checked at the front desk.
  • Check-in and check-out: Students should arrive 5-10 minutes early in order to be checked at the front desk. Parents are required to sign their out of class; children ages 13+ are allowed to sign themselves in and out if given written permission by a parent or guardian. At this time, we are not offering late pick up, and expect parents/guardians to arrive promptly at the end of class. Please contact us if you have questions about this policy.
• Additional Forms: After registering, participants will receive additional forms to fill out before class begins. This will include forms listing who is authorized to pick up your child, health concerns etc. Please complete them promptly. 
• Student Behavior Policy: As an organization, our motto and code of conduct is "Be excellent to each other." Every TVCOG member and anyone participating in a TVCOG program is expected to follow that code. Students will be asked to sign a Student Behavior Agreement form at the beginning of each session outlining and agreeing to those terms, which currently also includes our COVID-19 policies. We have a three strikes policy for incidents, with class instructors deciding what constitutes a strike. Children with three strikes will be asked to leave; no refunds will be given in this circumstance.
• Accessibility: TVCOG strives for ADA compliance and in accordance with Title II will make reasonable accomodations as needed when we can. The building itself is accessible to wheelchair users and others who need to avoid stairs. 

To keep our classes affordable, we book our instructors and purchase materials in advance. We depend on advanced registration. Classes without sufficient advanced enrollment may be canceled. Advanced registration closes 2 weeks (10 business days) before the class date. Reservations made after this date will be subject to a $25 late registration fee. If applicable, late registration will remain open until the morning of the first day of class. Cancellations must be made one week before the class date in order to be eligible for a refund, unless due to illness.

Select your session to begin the registration process:

Combined Session 2: Beginner through Advanced

M-F, August 9-27

Session 2A: Beginner

August 2-6

Session 2B: Intermediate

August 9-13

Session 2C: Advanced

August 16-20

All classes take place from 1-4pm. Tiered pricing is available for every session.