Friends’ Central Middle School’s robotics program is being recognized with awards and accolades at an ever-increasing rate – a reflection of the talents of the students participating, their outstanding faculty coaches, and the School’s state-of-the-art STEAM facilities that make the program possible.

In December, the Middle School robotics teams took top honors at the FIRST® LEGO® League event held at The Franklin Institute, winning the Champion’s Award for best overall team, the Robot Performance Award, and the Innovation Project Award.

Building on Success to Go Further

Building on that momentum, the Phoenix 3.0 and Phoenix 3.1 squads delivered another standout performance at the recent PA East Regional Championships, an invitational featuring the region’s 60 best FIRST® LEGO® League teams. The teams earned first place in the Innovation Project, second place in Robot Performance, and third place overall, qualifying both squads for the upcoming Pennsylvania State Championships.

Adding to their many recent accolades, FCS Middle School robotics has been nominated for the Advanced Project Development Award, one of the top five out of 388 teams whose innovations were recognized as “market-ready.”

As the robotics teams prepare for States, the focus shifts to refining their designs and reflecting on what they’ve learned. “Winning is rewarding,” said Middle School science teacher and robotics coach Dan Bobrowski, “but the real success is the students’ growth – their teamwork, persistence, and ability to iterate.”

State-of-the-art STEAM Facilities

That philosophy of learning by doing defines Friends’ Central’s approach to STEAM education. From the youngest learners in Nature Nursery, who explore science through play and observation, to Middle and Upper School students designing, experimenting, and engineering in the state-of-the-art Audrie Gardham Ulmer ’37 Center for Innovation & Design (the “CID”), STEAM is integrated into the curriculum at every grade level.

Students who continue into Friends’ Central’s Upper School can join the Earthquakers robotics team, building on the skills developed in Middle School while gaining experience with advanced engineering, fabrication, and programming in the CID’s robotics lab and design studios.

“Our program is designed to grow with students,” Bobrowski explained. “They start with hands-on exploration, and by the time they’re in Upper School, they’re ready to tackle more complex projects. It’s exciting to see how much they develop along the way.”

A Winning Formula for Cultivating Curiosity, Creativity, and Confidence 

The recent wins showcase what’s possible when early, hands-on STEAM experiences are combined with sustained guidance and opportunity. For Friends’ Central, the robotics program is about more than trophies – it’s about cultivating curiosity, creativity, and confidence, preparing students to solve challenges both in school and in life. “They’re not just building robots – they’re building the skills and mindset that will serve them for years to come,” said Bobrowski.

For more information on Friends’ Central School, visit friendscentral.org.