Local Outreach

The Robo-Lions have an extensive local STEM Outreach Program!  After all why build an amazing multi-thousand dollar robot and not show anybody!  If you’d like us to bring the “big robot” to your event please contact lead mentor Rose Young.

Robo-Lions Summer Camps

The Robo-Lions held their first Lego Fun Camp in the Summer of 2012 featuring Lego Mindstorms Robotics.  Multiple camps were held through the Summer of 2019; however, COVID-19 forestalled camps in 2020 and 2021.  We look forward to returning to camp in 2022!  A meeting for parents interested in their kids competing in FIRST Lego League will be held in August 2022.

Lego Fun Camp
2015 Lego Fun Camp

Robotic Assistive Rover (ROAR)

Carroll County Public Schools Assistive Technology group developed problems with their Cooper Car – a device that allows mobility for young children who are too small for electric wheelchairs and asked the Robo-Lions for help.  The Robo-Lions were able to fix the Cooper Car and were asked whether they could build similar devices (which retail for something like $3000 initially.  As it turns out FIRST Robotics had just updated the computers and electronics used for competition robots so the Robo-Lions had three computer / electronics kits available.  With some generous donations from partners such as the Maryland Space Round Table the Robo-Lions plan to build three RObotic Assistive Rovers or ROARs.  Paraplegic children will be able to use a joystick to control the ROAR while Paraplegic children can touch four large buttons with their head to go forward, backward, left, or right.  The Robo-Lions designed the ROAR using SCRUM Systems Engineering techniques.

Cooper Car
Robo-Lions Pose with Repaired Cooper Car for Disabled Students
ROAR Chassis and Drive Train
Robo-Lions Demonstrate ROAR Chassis and Drive Train at the Johns Hopkins University / Applied Physics Laboratory
IMG_0082
RoAR Prototype on 12/23/15. Battery cover installed. Large buttons allow paraplegics to control RoAR with head.

Roar of the Robots FLL Qualifier

Every year in December and January the Robo-Lions host the Roar of the Robots FLL Qualifier which allows teams to move forward to the FLL State Tournament at UMBC.  The event includes demos by the Robo-Lions and all the PIE Cubed robotics teams.

FLL Preparations
Robo-Lions Referees Confer Before FLL Matches Start

Relay for Life

The Robo-Lions annually participate in the Freedom Area Relay for Life to help conquer cancer.  The Robot even takes a lap around the track at Liberty HS!

Relay for Life
Robot Josh 3.0 Prepares to Take a Lap at Freedom Area Relay for Life

Elementary School Science Visits

The Robo-Lions regularly visit local elementary schools to demonstrate the big robot and explain how it works!

Freedom ES 2015
Robo-Lions Demonstrate the Josh 3.0 at Eldersburg ES

Library Visits

The Robo-Lions have an extensive library visit program including the Summer Reading kickoff at Eldersburg library, and the “May the Fourth Be With You” Star Wars reading program at Mt. Airy Library.  This year we started a “Pumpkin Smash” demo using a repurposed form of our 2015 Robot the Josh 3.0.

Summer Reading
Robo-Lions with Robot at Eldersburg Library Summer Reading Kickoff
Jar Jar Binks
Robo-Lion as Jar Jar Binks at Mt. Airy Library
Pumpkin Smash
Successful Pumpkin Smash at Mt. Air Library

Girl Scout Events

In August of 2015 the Robo-Lions along with their PIE3 partner teams held a Girls in Engineering Girl Scout Workshop.  The demand exceed the capacity, with 40 girls enrolled in the first week for what was expected to be 15-20 girls total! The workshop was held at the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland STEM Center in Baltimore on August 21st. The girls had a great day of fun programming and driving EV3s robots, learning about circuits, and creating LED flowers.

Girl Scout Camp
Girls Scouts and Robots – A Terrific Combination!

Carroll County Public Schools Spotlight on Youth Event

The Robo-Lions annually participate in the Carroll County Public Schools “Spotlight on Youth” event.  Mentors judge the many Middle School Science and Engineering projects while team members demonstrate the robot.

Spotlight on Youth
Robo-Lions at Spotlight on Youth Event

Freedom Fright Night

The Robo-Lions have been active participants in Freedom Fright Night which raises money for the Freedom Recreation Council to support its many wonderful recreation programs including the Robo-Lions.  The Robo-Lions have built a Dalek and a Police Call Box from the TV show Dr. Who for Freedom Fright Night.

Dalek
Robo-Lions Dalek at Freedom Fright Night
Victim from Freedom Fright Night
Patient at the Robo-Lions “Chop Shop” in Need of a Drink

Community Events

The Robo-Lions have supported many community events in Carroll County, Maryland and look forward to being involved in many more!

Harvest Festival at Holy Lutheran
2013 Frisbee Shooting Robot with Little Ninjas at Holy Lutheran Church Harvest Festival