“Robots are for everyone,” is the message of Boston-based nonprofit MassRobotics.

Their upcoming free special event, RoboBoston 2024, and their year-round activities, continue to illustrate that message.

Not only do the innovators they empower come up with previously-unimagined inventions like robotic bees–but their educational programs empower students who may not have seen themselves as roboticists.

As the largest independent robotics hub, MassRobotics is dedicated to accelerating robotics innovation and adoption. Accordingly, they provide resources, globally, for STEM education, while offering entrepreneurs and startups workspace and resources in the local area.

They also offer a yearly educational program, the Jumpstart Fellowship, for high school girls in the local area–which is both highly successful and currently accepting applicants for their fifth cohort! (Deadline: November 12, 2024.)

AND–their annual free celebration of robotics, RoboBoston, is happening on September 27th and 28th!

RoboBoston starts off on Friday, September 27th, with “STEM Day, a popular field trip, in which twelve local high schools are participating, followed by a “Robotics and AI” technical career fair, that afternoon.

Then, on Saturday, September 28th, everyone’s invited to their robot parade and their seventh annual “Robot Block Party”! (Reservations are required; here’s the link for tickets!)

Expect to see some of the coolest robots around–and to discover some robotic creations which you may never have imagined.

“The point of the Robotics Block Party, is for people to (come out and explore if robotics is for them),” says MassRobotics STEM Program Manager Kevin Smith.

“And students don’t have to be (computer scientists or engineers to belong in robotics),” clarifies MassRobotics Co-Founder and Chief of Operations Joyce Sidopoulos.

Joyce and Kevin offered a sneak peek at some of the robots the Robot Block Party will showcase, talked about their experiences as educators at this year’s Jumpstart program and previewed what’s next!

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• Some of the robots the Block Party will showcase;

• How robotics careers can fit students who aren’t necessarily science- or engineering-oriented;

• How the Jumpstart initiative grew in the past year;

• And, an exciting way in which the program may be expanding in the very near future!;

• A closer look at the activities in which the young women in the Jumpstart fellowship are involved, throughout the semester;

• How “failing forward” has worked in the learning process, for the students the Jumpstart fellowship has served;

• Some of the “capstone projects” the young women created which wowed Kevin and Joyce;

• A preview of MassRobotics’ third STEM Day;

• A closer look at what some of the showcased robots, of the seventh Robot Block Party. will do;

• Joyce and Kevin’s perspective on the commonly-held view of “a robot will take my job”;

• How the advent of AI may affect the job market;

• An imaginary “trip forward” to September 28th and the robot parade;

• Some of the things visitors will see and experience at the Robot Block Party;

• A closer look at the ways students will be participating in the event;

• Some of the favorite robots from RoboBoston 2023!

• How to support MassRobotics as they continue educating high school students for possible future careers in the robotics industry.