Welcome to Hacienda Robotics!

What is Hacienda Robotics? Hacienda Robotics Program is a program offered to Hacienda students that offers students hands-on opportunities to design, build, code, and problem-solve while developing important STEM skills. 

Is this a drop off after school program? No, it is NOT a drop off program. A parent, guardian, or designated adult must remain present and supervise their child for the entire duration of each meeting. This helps create a safe, supportive, and productive learning environment for all participants. 

Is Robotics part of HIPS? Robotics is its own entity and not part of HIPS program but the program is supported by HIPS and Hacienda.

Do you have to pay to join the program? Hacienda Robotics is a free program though a certain donation will be asked  from participating families to fund the tournament that happens at the end of the season.

Do you need experience to be a coach? No experience is needed to coach a team. Volunteer coaches are given advice and takes home the kits to learn the application and lessons that goes with it.

Do you need clearance to coach? Clearance from the district is required since were performing the program in campus.

How many students is in a team? Children’s has short attention span so 4-6 students is the suggested number to make a team. Depending on the coach assigned, they can add 1 or 2 more if they are comfortable to handle it. 

What software application is used in the workshop? We use the LEGO® Education curriculum, a globally recognized, research-based program that combines engineering, computer science, and real-world problem-solving through engaging, age-appropriate lessons. 

The curriculum goes along with their very own hardware kits such as SPIKE Essential, SPIKE Prime, and Lego Computer Science & AI.

How often is the workshop? Workshop session starts in January through May. Teams meet on selected Fridays after school from 3pm to 4pm.

How do you fund the program? A fundraising is put together that happens during Open House in May. Previous fundraising is selling of dinner meals served by robots built by the students. 

What is the coaching commitment? Volunteer coaches will attend every session. If somehow assigned coach wont be available, they have to advise the team and ask another parent to coach in their behalf. They are accountable on the kits provided and will make sure they have a complete set during receiving and turn over.

How do we sign up to the program? One has to join the Robotics group through Konstella Committee to get updates on announcements about the program. Announcements are ONLY posted in the group page and NOT school wide. Always check Konstella and read through messages to keep updated. A roster/team sign up will be posted at the beginning of school year with a certain number of spots for both coach roles and student participants. Volunteer coaches children will get guaranteed spot and will be move up in the list. Last names to sign up has the possibility of getting bump from list, these families will then be put on a short waitlist until session starts.

Is there a waitlist? No, there is no waitlist. Everyone that signed up in this committee expressed their great interest in the program, so everyone is on a waitlist until session starts. Kits are limited and max number per team is 4. This number is what the curriculum suggests and comfortable based from previous coach experience. Coach role is the key for the program to run thats why we're giving them the priority. 

Volunteer coaches children will get guaranteed spot and will be moved up on the list. Last names to sign up has the possibility of getting bumped from the list, these families will then be put on an actual waitlist. They will get notified first as soon as a spot opens. If more spots open up, then another sign up form will be posted for the rest of the committee group to see.

What is the Tournament? This is a special event that happens on the last session. This is the day we celebrate all the students that worked hard to learn and build their very own creations. A mini tournament is for upper teams, they have to complete certain missions and compete among other teams. Lower grades create a themed project that tells a story and showcase a moving element that they coded themselves.