Bountiful STEM Educational Foundation
VEX Robotics
Utah STEM Action Center
2025/2026Provo
Education · Hero project · Utah
Robots, AI and code. After school, for free.
Free, hands-on robotics, coding and AI classes for refugee and low-income kids in Utah, with real mentors and certificates.
Powered by Bountiful STEM Educational Foundation & VEX Robotics · Sponsored by Utah STEM Action Center
50+
robotics classes taught
150+
students from refugee centers and Title 1 schools
12
weeks in each bootcamp course
200
young dreamers from minority groups, including refugee and immigrant youth: our 2026 goal
Featured · Our graduates 2025/2026
Meet our proud graduates.
2025/2026
2025/2026Salt Lake City
Hartland Partnership Center graduates
Summer bootcamp4 weeks · Robotics, coding & AI
Summer bootcamp graduates
Now running · Season 3
Season 3 is here!
Our Robotics & AI Bootcamp runs September 1 – November 24, 2026 at the UNP Hartland Partnership Center in Salt Lake City.
- 12 weeks · Tuesdays 3–5 PM
- Ages 8–14
- Cost: free
We need $3,000 in robotics equipment so every student has a kit. We already have 20 laptops from Bountiful STEM.
Inside the classroom · Season 3
Build it. Code it. Show it.
Teams build VEX robots with volunteer mentors, then present what they made.
What is STEAME?
Six subjects, one way of thinking.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship, blended into real-world projects.
With Bountiful STEM Educational Foundation, Utah Valley Refugee Center and the University of Utah's Hartland Partnership Center.
Summer robotics, AI & coding in Utah
The 12-week curriculum
Build it. Code it. Make it smart.
From a first VEX robot to coding, sensors and AI. Every session is hands-on.
Weeks 1–4Build it
Robot parts, drivetrains, gears and the engineering design process.
Weeks 5–8Code it
Block coding, loops, logic, sensors and autonomous missions.
Weeks 9–11Think smart
How AI learns, training a simple model, and using AI fairly and safely.
Week 12Show it
A showcase for families, graduation and certificates.
Week by week
See the week-by-week plan
- Week 1Build itMeet your robotForm teams, learn lab safety, explore VEX parts and take a test drive.
- Week 2Build itBuild the baseAssemble a drivetrain and learn how gears and wheels work.
- Week 3Build itEngineer it betterTest, find what breaks and rebuild stronger.
- Week 4Build itDrive the courseSteer an obstacle course. Roles: builder, driver, coder, captain.
- Week 5Code itBlock coding basicsFirst programs in VEXcode blocks and VEXcode VR.
- Week 6Code itLoops and logicLoops and if-then decisions: a square, a zigzag, a robot dance.
- Week 7Code itRobots that senseSensors for bumps, colors and distance.
- Week 8Code itAutonomous missionFinish a course with no controller.
- Week 9Think smartWhat is AI?How computers learn from examples, and AI in everyday life.
- Week 10Think smartTeach a computerTrain a simple model to recognize pictures or sounds.
- Week 11Think smartSmart robots, smart choicesCombine coding, sensors and AI; use AI fairly and safely; plan a final project.
- Week 12Show itShowcase and graduationPresent to families and receive your certificate.
Approved curriculum
Approved by STEM instructor Seth Ogoe Ayim and Bountiful STEM Educational Foundation.
Who it's for
Ages 8–14. Free. No experience needed; laptops and kits provided.
Skills they build
Engineering, coding, problem-solving, teamwork, confidence and AI basics.
What's next
Our 2027 STEAM Fair, and IT Essentials for older students.
Help a team
Mentors don't need robotics experience; we'll train you.
Mentor on TuesdaysJoin a class · Free
Pick your track.
Tuesdays 3–5 PM at Hartland · ages 8–14 · free.
Next-gen skills
What students learn.
Beginner robotics
Build and program simple robots.
STEM AI essentials
Machine learning and data basics.
Coding academy
Programming fundamentals through real projects.
VEX Robotics competitions & challenges
Teams solve real-world problems.
Advanced IT courses
Networks, cybersecurity and systems admin.
Bootcamp challenges
Intensive, hands-on problem solving.
Cisco IT Essentials certificate
Preparation for entry-level IT jobs.
AI for everyone
How AI works and where it's used.
Computer hardware repair & networking
Fix devices and set up networks.
Multimedia design & graphics
Design, video and digital storytelling.
Career workshops
Résumés, interviews and job prep.
Meet your instructors
Learn from people who do this.
Local instructors teach in person, with guests from BYU, UVU and the University of Utah.
Seth Ogoe AyimSTEM instructor ·
Godwill TandohLead instructor ·
Guest instructorsFrom BYU, UVU and the U
Sign up
Save a spot.
Classes are free. A parent or guardian signs up students under 18.
- Hartland Partnership Center · Salt Lake City
- Utah Valley Refugees · Provo
- Laptops and robot kits provided in class
You're signed up!
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