Building Robots by Land and Sea in the Heart of the LA Harbor

K-12 STEAM education

South Bay Long Beach

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

While similar organizations to EXP exist, most operate after school—creating access barriers. Afterschool Alliance reports parents cite high cost, limited transportation, hours, and long waitlists as key obstacles. Latino parents—73% of EXP families—face even greater barriers. 80% of providers say kids need programs but can’t access them. The need for accessible, high-quality education to ehance learning is clear. LAUSD students also face post-graduation challenges: only 45% of the class of 2024 are considered college or career ready (California School Dashboard). The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation reports 89% of employers are more likely to hire students with real-world skills. Additionally, mentoring has long-term benefits. Brown University’s Annenberg Institute found mentored students—especially those from lower-income backgrounds—earn better grades, stay in school longer, and make more money than their peers.

EXP’s innovative program delivery model combines in-class instruction with hands-on, project-based learning (PBL) to enhance academic engagement and create direct pathways to high-demand careers. By embedding the program into Banning High School’s STEAM and PATHS Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, EXP eliminates access barriers and ensures students, primarily from underserved communities receive high-quality, real-world learning experiences. In the fall, students learn the fundamentals of robotics engineering. In the spring, they collaborate in small teams to design, construct, test, and operate land and underwater robots in a series of 6–8 week workshops. This approach develops technical skills, teamwork, and problem-solving—core competencies sought in the rapidly growing robotics and automation industries, which are critical for Southern California’s economic future. Mentorship from industry professionals throughout the program builds confidence, expands networks, and exposes students to STEAM careers that offer upward economic mobility. A new partnership with AltaSea brings added technical expertise, relevance and excitement, culminating in a Robotics Field Day and community-facing competition, where students demonstrate their skills, creativity, and career potential.

If our work is successful, more students across Los Angeles County, particularly those from underserved communities, will graduate high school with the skills, confidence, and exposure needed to pursue careers in robotics and other high-growth STEAM fields. Students will report increased interest in high-wage, future-focused careers, stronger problem-solving and collaboration skills, and meaningful mentorship experiences. In 2023, 89% of EXP students reported increased confidence in pursuing higher education, and 22% of our industry partners have hired EXP alumni. As we expand our robotics program to other EXP-supported schools LA County like Carson High, we will build a local pipeline of talent prepared for the innovation economy. In the long term, this will fuel economic mobility, reduce opportunity gaps, and ensure LA’s workforce reflects the diversity of its population, transforming lives and creating a more equitable, prosperous region for all.