2025-26 Homeschool Robotics at Cottonwood

Thursdays starting September 2025 - 9am-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, learn to code and build in a team environment. The Explore team will share their work with their families at a Cottonwood Showcase in December. 

Journey Team, Grades 3-5:

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 work to prepare a small group project. The Journey team will share their work with their families at a Cottonwood Showcase in December. Recommended for 3-4th graders with robotics experience, 5th graders with no robotics experience or those wanting a shorter commitment than Challenge level. 

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 to challenge themselves this season!

Prerequisites for Challenge Team Members

  • In-person application required

  • Can read & discuss news articles, ex: National Geographic

  • Can compose & type a paragraph on a computer

  • Has basic coding skills or willing to learn Scratch prior to start of season

  • Willing to commit 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

9-10am - Literacy & Project

10-11:45am - Robotics 

11:45am-1pm - Lunch & Park Time

1-2:15pm - Hands-On Science

2:15-2:30pm - 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.