Application open now for Robotics Night, put on by The STEAM Connection, a technical educational charity. This event is geared towards youths ages 12-14 who can attend our event in Troy, MI. Please read this description in its entirety before applying. All of your private information will be kept confidential.


Is your child curious about robotics, 3D printing, and engineering? Do they want to see STEM role models and see cool robots in action? Welcome to our Robotics Night! A two-part event that is offered for free to get kids engaged in STEM, based out of Troy, MI at our headquarters! 

Over two sessions, attendees ages 12-14 will build and keep their own robot, design their own 3D printed trinket, get to record one of our podcast episodes with us about the power of engineering, have a soldering lesson, and so much more! They will get their own STEM goodie bag and get to hear from a role model in STEM keynote speaker!

Part 1: Virtual Design Instruction
November 6th, 2021 at 5pm-8pm EST via Zoom.
Together, we will hear from a speaker, meet other students, and learn how to use a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software together to design a 3D print. Students will receive their own 3D print at the in-person robot party! The class will occur on Zoom and computer-mice is preferred for students to make the design process easier. 

Part 2: In-Person Robot Party!
November 8th, 2021 at 5pm-7pm in-person at our headquarters in Troy, MI USA.
Together, students will receive the 3D print that they designed, present about their design to the class, learn about the robots designed by The STEAM Connection, learn how to solder a motor controller, assemble, wire, and code their own robot that they will take home after the class, and much more! We will have a COVID-safe snack area and small seating area available for vaccinated parents. Please make dietary restrictions known on the the application form. Masks and vaccinations are required by everyone for the safety of our volunteers and students. 

This event is led and taught by two young women from Troy, MI! Danielle Boyer (Indigenous) is our founder and designer of the robot that students will be building! She is also an MIT Solve Indigenous Communities Fellow, a Governor's Service Awards: Youth Volunteer of the Year, one of PEOPLE's Girls Changing the World, a L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth, and a Verizon x Clinton Foundation Social Innovation Challenge Winner. Vinaya Gunasekar (Indian) is our Youth Ambassador and is a 13-year-old student at Troy High School. She is a young environmental activist, on the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll, an award-winning podcaster, and robotics inventor! She's given talks for Verizon, the city of San Antonio Natural Parks, and many more.

Due to COVID-19, we have very limited space and are only accepting a small number of students. We do not have open registration, but are instead accepting applications. Please do not apply unless you plan on attending both sessions. The COVID vaccination is required for the safety of our volunteers and students. Vaccinated parents are welcome to attend, we will have a small seating area available. Please pick your students up promptly after the class concludes.

Please note, there will be filming on the 8th at our headquarters with a COVID-safe crew. All parents/guardians will be required to sign a photo consent form. A crew is covering a story on our founder, Danielle Boyer, and her work as a woman in innovation. It is by a top-ten university. The award-winning production team has been amazing to work with and have been extremely sensitive and understanding about filming with youth, filming cultural activities, etc. If you or your child are not comfortable with filming, please do not sign up and check out our virtual events instead. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us at thesteamconnection@gmail.com and we will put you in touch with the director.