Robby the Drummer robot plays drums with chopsticks on a tambourine. Provided by Kids Explore Robotics
What started out as a passion project for one Center Grove graduate has evolved into a family venture.
Aarav Agrawal began Kids Explore Robotics his senior year of high school as a way to get kids interested in robotics. He wanted to make sure kids had the opportunity to explore robotics from an early age.
He and his dad, Vinod Agarwal, planned to offer robotics classes and summer camps in 2024, but plans were put on hold when Agrawal fell ill and was hospitalized. Since Agarwal has recovered and graduated as salutatorian from Center Grove High School Class of 2024. He is in his second semester at Purdue University.
Despite his busy schedule, Aarav Agrawal’s mission for Kids Explore Robotics remains the same. He’s since passed the venture off to his dad who has taken over day-to-day operations while he continues to inject ideas about new robot designs.
Vinod Agarwal said he hopes to make it easier for kids in Johnson County to engage and learn robotics by offering scholarships and partnering with local organizations for affordable and free classes.
He believes many families would love to get involved in robotics, but don’t have a lot of affordable options for quality instruction. By pursuing partnerships and funding scholarships, the Agarwals hope to make it a bit easier for families to explore robotics.
“Our primary goal is to make access to this amazing robotics learning opportunity as easy and affordable as possible,” Vinod Agarwal said.
The organization has partnered with several local libraries including branches of Johnson County Public Library, Greenwood Public Library, Indianapolis Public Library and others to offer classes. They are also working with non-profit organizations like Girls Inc. and Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Indiana and education foundations at local schools as well.
Kids Explore Robotics has several robots, including the military truck pictured, that students can build during camp.
Provided by Kids Explore Robotics
A programmable robotic arm is one of 14 robots that students can build at Kids Explore Robotics.
Provided by Kids Explore Robotics
Robby the Drummer robot plays drums with chopsticks on a tambourine. Provided by Kids Explore Robotics
A traffic light robot is one of the robots that students can build at Kids Explore Robotics.
Provided by Kids Explore Robotics
Kids Explore Robotics is exploring municipal and business partnerships too, Vinod Agarwal said. They have so far worked with Rascal’s Fun Zone, Greenwood Fieldhouse and McCordsville Parks and Recreation.
Students can choose from 14 original robot designs with custom-crafted wooden pieces and 3D printed parts. The robots are open concept so students can see the entire process of building and programming a robot from beginning to end. The designs are also simple enough that kids can relate and be inspired by them, Vinod Agarwal said. The robots include a drumming robot, a pull-up robot, a military truck robot, rover, excavator, scorecard keeper and more.
Not only do students learn essential robotic skills, they are also engaged in hands-on learning. Plus, robotics is a continually growing field and as robots become more common in our daily lives, “having a good understanding of how they work is essential skill to have,” Vinod Agarwal said.
Students also learn to boost self-confidence and critical thinking skills as students can learn to make small tweaks and get instant results, he said. Although it is STEM-focused, learning robotics can open up doors for a students creativity and introduces them to a variety of career paths early on. The camp is 5-days long, with a morning session and an afternoon session available.
Kids Explore Robotics offers free one hour classes on select Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Knightsbridge Academy, 1674 W. Smith Valley Rd., Greenwood.
To attend a free class or explore summer camp options visit kidsexplorerobotics.com. To apply for a summer camp scholarship, visit kidsexplorerobotics.com/summercamps and hit the big blue button titled “Apply for Scholarship.”
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