Jobs in the robotics field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) are high-paying and abundant. Tragically, these are precisely the subjects that students struggle with most in school. The Lapan Robotics program is designed to address these critical subjects through hands-on project-based learning. Students build and program robots, and in the process learn to use basic industrial tools. This Spring, the program is directed by Nathanael Gross, a Mechanical Engineer at CalPortland, and Zane Craddock, volunteer and engineering student at the University of Arizona. Projects this Spring include:

1. Battle-Bots: Students build remote controlled robots that must duel against other robots and pop the balloons attached to them. Working in teams, students design and build the armor and weapons to attach to their robots.
2. Programmable Robots: Students write code to program their robots to follow a prescribed route.