2025-26 Homeschool Robotics at Cottonwood
Thursdays starting September 2025 - 10am-2:30pm
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
The homeschool robotics program at Cottonwood blends project-based learning with the experience of FIRST LEGO League. Across three groups for grades 2-8, team members spend their day immersed in the season theme. In addition to coding & engineering with LEGO robotics kits, homeschoolers participate in hands-on science activities and build literacy skills. The program emphasizes teamwork and the core values of FIRST Robotics, including Gracious Professionalism. Join our homeschool cohort to learn, experiment, socialize and build skills in the coming season!.
WELCOME TO FIRST LEGO LEAGUE’S ARCHAEOLOGY-INSPIRED ROBOTICS SEASON
Every artifact we uncover holds a story. Each tool, each innovation, each work of art connects us to the people and ideas that came before us. Using STEM skills and teamwork, today we can dig deeper into discoveries than ever before. What will you uncover? Join us for an experience for the ages.
Explore Team
Grades 2-4. September-December, 12 sessions, $1200
Beginners welcome! No robotics experience required. Teams learn coding, problem solving and engineering. Have fun exploring the season theme with hands-on science activities. The Explore team will share their work with their families at a Cottonwood Showcase in December.
Journey Team
Grades 4-5. September-December, 12 sessions, $1200
Journey is a pre-competitive team to bridge between the Explore & Challenge level. Teams code missions for the robot game and prepare a group presentation about their robot design process. The Journey team will share their work with their families at a Cottonwood Showcase in December. Recommended for 4th & 5th graders preferring a shorter commitment than Challenge level. 3rd graders with strong coding skills accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Challenge Team
Grades 4-8. September-March, 20 sessions, $2000
Prepare to compete in the NYC First LEGO League Qualifier! Challenge level requires team development in four areas: engineering & coding a LEGO robot to compete in the robot game; documenting robot design; a group research project, invention prototype & presentation related to the season theme; and team core values. We are looking for committed team members ready for a challenge!
Prerequisites for Challenge Team Members
Application required
Can read & discuss news articles, ex: National Geographic
Can compose & type a paragraph on a computer
Have basic coding skills or willing to learn Scratch prior to start of season
Willing to commit at least 1 hour each week to team homework
Interested in working as a team
Each family must provide a parent volunteer on the day the competition.
Competition Information: The qualifier is on a Saturday or Sunday in late January to February. The Semi-Final & Championship competitions are in March. We expect the competition schedule to be published in September.
Sample Schedule - Journey & Explore
8:45-10am - Early Drop Off, additional fee applies
10-11:45am - Robotics & Project
11:45am-1pm - Lunch & Park Time
1-2:20pm - Hands-On Science
2:20-2:30pm - Clean-up
Sample Schedule - Challenge
8:45-10am - Early Drop Off, additional fee applies
10-11:45am - Robotics
11:45am-1pm - Lunch & Park Time
1-2:20pm - Innovation Project
2:20-2:30pm - Clean-up
Cottonwood does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or ethnic origin in administration, admission, or any associated activities.