What age group is the Robotics Club for?

The program is designed for children aged 9 to 14 years old.

What programming languages are taught?

Participants learn to program using pseudocode and Python within the LEGO Mindstorm robotics ecosystem.

Is prior coding experience necessary?

No, beginners are welcome as instruction covers foundational programming skills.

Are parents required to stay during sessions?

Parents may drop off children; staff supervise all sessions from 3 to 6 PM.

What costs are involved?

The season fee is $200 and includes all robotics materials, competition fees, snacks, and a team t-shirt.

How do participants get to the competition in Buffalo?

Transportation to the November competition must be arranged individually by each family.

FIRST LEGO League Robotics Club by Challenger Learning Center

The Challenger Learning Center of Orleans, Niagara & Erie Counties offers a unique opportunity for young innovators in Lockport, New York, inviting kids ages 9 to 14 to engage in hands-on robotics with the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics Club. Running from August through November, this program transforms after-school hours into a vibrant lab of creativity and applied STEM learning within the heart of Western New York.The program meets twice a week — Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 PM — allowing participants to dive deep into programming LEGO Mindstorm robots using pseudocode or Python. With flexible attendance that respects busy family schedules, the club provides a supportive environment where kids collaborate and problem-solve as teams while building real-world coding and engineering skills.Progress within the season leads to an electrifying culmination: a robotics competition held in Buffalo, where teams showcase their inventions and strategic prowess against peers. This competitive yet educational event invites participants to not only demonstrate their technical know-how but also develop confidence and teamwork essential for future challenges. Based out of the Challenger Learning Center at 160 Washburn Street in Lockport, the program blends community resources with cutting-edge educational techniques.The surrounding region is known for its rich industrial history intertwined with the birth of modern engineering, making it an ideal launchpad for young minds passionate about robotics and technology. By combining structured learning with a dynamic, results-driven competition, the Challenger Learning Center stands out as a hub for youth enrichment that promotes STEM in a hands-on, practical way. Whether families are local or traveling from nearby Buffalo, this club represents a standout destination for kids eager to pioneer tomorrow’s technologies in an active, social format.

About Challenger Learning Center of Orleans, Niagara & Erie Counties

Challenger Learning Center of Orleans, Niagara & Erie Counties is a science education nonprofit located in Lockport, New York. The center operates a hands-on Space Station Simulator and a professional planetarium, offering immersive STEM programs for birthday parties, school field trips, team-building events, and community gatherings.

Programs include timed Space Mission experiences—ranging from 1.5-hour missions to extended 2.5- and 3-hour party formats—that place participants in simulated roles working with Mission Control on scenarios such as Expedition Mars. The facility also offers a Planetarium Party using a Digitarium Delta 4 system, private planetarium shows, and a Mobile Planetarium Rental that fits up to 20 adults or 25 children for on-site events. Younger learners can join seasonal programs such as the Robotics Club FLL Fall 2025, designed for ages 9 to 14, with flexible scheduling from August through November and a culminating competition in Buffalo. The center emphasizes hands-on problem solving, teamwork, and real-world science skills through guided simulations and interactive presentations. Staff and instructors facilitate missions and planetarium shows, and events can include space-themed celebrations with cake and pizza in designated party spaces. Facility offerings are suitable for a wide range of group sizes and ages, and equipment details like dome capacity and simulator timeframes are provided for planning. The Challenger Learning Center of Orleans, Niagara & Erie Counties supports educational outcomes by combining experiential STEM programming with community access to space science resources. Programs accommodate schools, birthday groups, scouts, and corporate teams seeking unique science-focused experiences in Western New York.