RoboZone · Student-led robotics education
RoboZone is a student-led initiative where younger students learn electronics, programming, and design by building real projects. We started with in-person workshops in South Brunswick, New Jersey. Now we're planning free online workshops and exploring new local branches.
Since 2024
In-person course
Programs
Our in-person course is where RoboZone started and what we've taught so far. Free online workshops and local branches are how we hope to reach more students. Neither has launched yet.
Established Next session not scheduled
Our original course in South Brunswick, New Jersey. In small groups, students wire circuits, program Arduinos in C++, design parts in CAD, and build a final project.
Being explored Dates not announced
We're planning free, 60-minute online workshops in circuit simulation and CAD. Students will build virtual circuits and create digital 3D models, with no physical circuit building or 3D printing.
Pilot dates, eligible audiences, registration, and platform arrangements are not yet confirmed.
Being explored No other branches yet
Local groups in other communities that would run hands-on workshops using RoboZone's teaching approach.
We'd start with a single pilot branch. Approval, support, and money arrangements are still being worked out.
Try it · An on-screen illustration
This arm has two servo motors: one at the shoulder and one at the elbow. A servo turns to whatever angle it's given, from 0° to 180°. In our in-person workshops, students wire and program real servos the same way.
shoulder.write(64);
elbow.write(40);
gripper.write(90);Move your cursor, or tap the bench. Elbow at 90 means the arm is straight. With a keyboard, select the bench and use the arrow keys.
How we teach
Students don't need to know what a resistor is on day one. In our in-person course they learn by building, one working circuit at a time, with mentors at the table to help when something doesn't work.
Stage 1 · Circuits
Students start with real parts on a breadboard: an Arduino, jumper wires, resistors, and LEDs. Once the LED lights up, they learn why.
Stage 2 · Code and input
Next, students add a button and write the C++ code that connects it to the LED. Then they change the program so the button works in reverse.
Stage 3 · Motion and CAD
Students wire and program servo motors, meet transistors, and start using computer-aided design (CAD) in Onshape to model parts like an organizer.
Stage 4 · Final project
To finish, students design and 3D print parts, build and program a minigame circuit, and present what they made.
What students make
From our in-person workshops in South Brunswick.
The in-person course ends with a project that brings together 3D-printed parts, a circuit, and code. Students present what they built. One student built a machine that waters a plant automatically.
More student builds from past sessions
Built in the in-person course
Wire a pushbutton and an LED, write the code that links them, then rewrite it so pressing the button does the opposite.
Concepts: Digital input and output / C++ on Arduino
Connect a servo motor, program it to move to set positions, and take on extension challenges once it works.
Concepts: Motors / Control in code
Design an organizer or another model in Onshape, a CAD program that runs in the browser.
Concepts: Computer-aided design / 3D modeling
Combine a circuit, code, and 3D-printed parts into a small game, then present it to the group.
Concepts: 3D printing / Putting it all together
Why RoboZone exists
RoboZone's founders taught themselves robotics, electronics, and programming, and found it hard to make progress without someone to guide them. In 2024 they started RoboZone in South Brunswick to give younger students what they had wanted: a structured place to begin.
Workshops are taught by high school mentors. Asking questions is expected, and a circuit that doesn't light up yet is part of the process. That approach is what we hope to bring to more students.
Co-Founders & Co-Presidents
Get involved
Help teach our in-person workshops: explain circuits, look over code, and debug alongside younger students. Our mentors are high school students.
MentoringHost workshops near South Brunswick, or talk with us about a possible RoboZone program in your own community.
Hosting and partneringRoboZone is fiscally sponsored by Hack Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations go through HCB, Hack Club's donation platform.
How donations workQuestions
Questions about the in-person course are on the Programs page. Can't find your answer? Email team@robozonenj.org.
For now, yes. RoboZone started in South Brunswick, New Jersey, and all of our workshops so far have been held in person there. We're planning free online workshops and exploring local branches in other communities, but neither has launched.
Not yet. We're planning free, 60-minute online workshops in circuit simulation and CAD. Class dates and registration have not been announced. If you're interested, you can email us; that's a question, not a registration.
Not at the moment. The next in-person session in South Brunswick hasn't been scheduled. Free online workshops are being planned, but dates and registration haven't been announced. The Program updates page always shows where each one stands.
No. All RoboZone online workshops will be free: no tuition, fees, kits, or required purchases. Donations to RoboZone are separate and never affect a student's place.
A computer with internet access. Everything happens on screen: students build virtual circuits and create digital 3D models, with no physical electronics, kits, or 3D printing. We'll list the specific free platforms and device requirements before registration opens.
Our South Brunswick workshops are where RoboZone's teaching approach comes from. A branch would be a group in another community running workshops with that approach. The idea is being explored: no other branches exist yet, and there's no set process for starting one.
Yes. Near South Brunswick, a school, library, or community space can talk with us about hosting in-person workshops. Hosting workshops doesn't make an organization a RoboZone branch. If you're farther away, we're glad to discuss a possible program in your community, keeping in mind that branches are still being explored.
Email team@robozonenj.org, or use the links on the Program updates page for local sessions, online classes, mentoring, or hosting. Emailing us doesn't reserve a spot or add you to a mailing list.