Robotics 4All - Igniting Tech Talent in At-Promise Youth

Access to tech and creative industry employment

South LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

The Robotics 4All Teen Robotic Program addresses the need for accessible, high-quality STEM education for at-promise youth who often lack exposure to hands-on technology experiences. Many teens in underserved communities face barriers such as limited school resources, few enrichment opportunities, and a lack of mentorship in STEM fields. This program fosters curiosity, collaboration, and technical skills through team-based robotics challenges using LEGO Mindstorms kits. By engaging teens in creative problem-solving and engineering concepts, the initiative not only builds academic and career pathways in science and technology but also cultivates confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging in a supportive learning environment.

The Robotics 4All Program is a hands-on, multi-session initiative designed to engage at-promise teens in robotics, coding, and collaborative problem-solving. Operated through the CLASS Parks Program—which serves youth at 38 neighborhood parks across Los Angeles—the initiative targets teens of color from low-income communities who face systemic barriers to quality STEM education. Many lack access to enrichment opportunities, technology resources, and mentorship.
Through a series of five-class sessions (totaling 10 hours), teens work in teams to design, build, and program robots using LEGO Mindstorms kits—a highly accessible robotics platform. Each session blends guided instruction with open-ended challenges, allowing teens to develop critical thinking, technical proficiency, creativity, and teamwork skills in a safe and encouraging environment.
Sessions are strategically scheduled during Winter, Spring, and Summer school breaks, ensuring teens can participate without competing school commitments. The program’s goals are to ignite interest in STEM fields, build confidence through skill mastery, foster leadership and teamwork, and create a sense of belonging.
Grant funding will expand delivery across multiple CLASS Parks sites, reaching more teens and deepening year-round impact. Long term, Robotics 4All aims to become a core component of the Youth Employment Internship Program (YEIP)—providing a pathway to personal growth and future STEM careers.

The Robotics 4All Teen Robotic Program for at-promise teens will have a lasting impact on all its participants. By breaking economic and racial stereotypes and providing a supportive environment, the program will work towards creating confidence, enthusiasm, and a sense of accomplishment amongst teens of color. It will foster a genuine interest in STEM subjects, hopefully inspiring many to pursue further education and careers in robotics, technology, engineering, and related fields. The program will also highlight the crucial role of diversity and inclusion in the STEM community, setting a positive example for future initiatives.
Future plans to continue and expand the program include adding the Robotic 4All program as a class within our ongoing, year round, Youth Employment Internship Program (YEIP). There is also a possibility that the teens could receive a stipend upon completion of the Robotics class through the YEIP program.