Want to learn more about our robotics program? Meet us at our Grand Opening on October 3, 2026 from 2-5 PM!
STEMBox: A Sandbox for Authentic Learning
Undervolt Robotics
We are recruiting our first cohort of students for STEMBox's competitive robotics program. The goal: qualify for the VEX Robotics World Championship in our first year as a program. Students will design, build, code, iterate, and present their work in front of judges. No experience needed.
The Season At a Glance
40+
Two-hour sessions from September to March
2
Tournament registrations included in tuition
3+
Students per team, choose your team or get assigned
3
Target number of teams to represent STEMBox this year
As you can see, our plan is to invest a lot in a small cohort (roughly 12-15 students) of highly motivated individuals. We will split the season up into two parts: Learn and Compete. During the Learn Semester, students will learn robotics from the ground up, covering the engineering design process, mechanical building principles, programming in C++, and more. During the Compete Semester, the coaches' role will shift from teacher to mentor, meeting students where they are in their specific build process.
Semester 1: Learn
Runs
Off
Sessions
Sept 14 to Dec 14, 2026
Columbus Day, Oct 15, Thanksgiving, Nov 30
20 guaranteed
Semester 2: Compete
Runs
Off
Sessions
Jan 4 to Mar 4, 2027
MLK Day and President's Day
20 guaranteed
Sessions take place at STEMBox, located at 7300 N. Crescent Blvd. Pennsauken, NJ. A one-time tuition payment covers the entire 2026-2027 season. Meeting times are TBD.
Early Bird Registration
Pay on or before Friday, September 4, 2026
$995
Regular Registration
Pay after September 4, 2026
$1,195
Pay Now Buy Later options available at checkout.
What Registration Covers
All coaches and mentors are volunteers. The registration fee covers essential tools, equipment, parts, team registration, and small travel stipends for coaches. We are looking to secure grants and sponsorships to add tournaments, travel expenses, etc.
Included
40 two-hour team sessions
Two tournaments, announced in advance, with coaches
Robot parts, tools, and field access
Coaching and mentor training
Lab time during scheduled sessions
Not Included
Additional tournaments with optional $50 coaching fee per event (registration can be split among the families attending)
Travel, lodging, and meals for any event
Replacement costs for equipment damaged through misuse
Extra lab sessions (depends on staffing)
How Teams Work
Come with a team or get placed on one
Bring friends and form your own team, or register alone and we will place you. Teams need at least three students.
Every team needs a parent mentor
At least one guardian per team, no coaching background required. A mentor must travel with the team to every tournament and scrimmage.
Attendance is critical; some homework expected
Students must attend at least 80% of the meetings, and try to attend all Learn sessions. About 30-60 min of homework may be assigned weekly.
vex robotics is student-centered
Adults guide and support. Students design, code, compete, and speak to judges. That is how VEX works and it is how people actually learn.
Engineering notebook required
Every team documents its design process and submits a notebook. It is judged, and it is where most of the learning gets consolidated.
Equipment training before use
Students are trained on every tool before using it, and are expected to use it responsibly afterward. Damage through misuse may carry a replacement cost.
Drop-off and pick-up within ten minutes
We are a small volunteer staff and cannot supervise outside that window.
States and Worlds, if you qualify
Teams are expected to compete at the State Championship (mid-March) and at Worlds (mid-April) if they earn a spot.
The lab is shareD
Every session ends with cleanup. Anything a team borrows stays that team's responsibility until it is returned. At events, teams pack their own robot and tools and bring all of it home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my student need robotics experience
No. The Learn phase exists precisely because most students arrive with none. What matters more is showing up and being willing to be bad at something for a few weeks.
What ages is this for?
This program is designed for upper middle school and high school students.
What does the parent mentor actually do?
Show up, keep the team organized, drive to tournaments, and let the students make their own decisions. You are not expected to know robotics. Note that there is a background check.
How much will tournaments cost beyond tuition?
Two tournaments are covered. Beyond those, entry fees (usually around $120) are split among the families attending, plus a $50 coaching fee per event. Travel and meals are on families. States and Worlds carry their own costs, and we will be specific as soon as those events are scheduled.
What if we can't afford it?
Talk to us before you rule it out. Keeping this program reachable is the reason it exists.
Can we visit the lab outside of sessions?
We expect to offer extended lab hours during the season. Some of those sessions may require a lab pass or a fee depending on staffing. Note that donors to Rooted Forward receive lab passes.
Creating Innovators through Hands-on Mastery
STEMbox is a community-centered innovation hub located in South Jersey. We move students from passive consumers of technology to ethical supervisors of innovation. STEMBox is program under Rooted Forward: A NJ Nonprofit Corporation (EIN: 42-3317645).
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