“It’s all about the exposure,” explains True Robotics Founder and President Anthony Galgano.

“If kids aren’t exposed to things at a young age, they won’t have any interest in exploring it, later in life.”

He’s speaking of the roots of his own passion for robotics.

Accordingly, Anthony’s Worcester, Massachusetts-based startup offers three educational robotics packages, with the goal of getting students interested in robots from kindergarten on–and keeping them learning as they have fun!

And at the same time, for educators who don’t consider themselves “technical”, True Robotics is removing the “intimidation factor” of teaching new technology. Their programs include professional development training, grab-and-go curricula and comprehensive educator support.

The robots

True Robotics’ first robot is Treads, for grades K through 3. With its tank-like configuration, Treads is designed to get students, grades K through 3, familiar with the ways a robot works.

Progressively, the robotics packages become more complex.

Next, for grades 3 through 5, there’s the Pilot robot kit. As students build and program the robot, they’re learning computer science and STEM skills.

And the third robot, Axle, is for grades 6 through 8. Axle connects students with real-world robotics applications, involving engineering design and programming challenges, according to True Robotics’ website.

Goal: widespread inspiration

On True Robotics‘ website is the stated goal, “We want to inspire 35,000 students by 2025”.

According to their just-updated website figures, as of late September, they’re well on their way.

Listed are 29,000 students served through robotics; 355 instructors trained; and 2,700 robots delivered.

And next year, Anthony says, he would like to double the number of students reached.

Anthony talked about his background in robotics, shared a closer look at True Robotics’ robotics packages and gave a preview of what’s next!

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Anthony first discovered his passion for robotics;

• The story of True Robotics;

• How the robotics packages work, for both students and teachers;

• How robotics can engage students whose main interests are NOT math and science;

• One of the most fun ways Anthony has seen robotics inspire students;

• How one teacher went from “tech-intimidated” to robotics enthusiast after incorporating True Robotics into her classroom;

• A closer look at True Robotics’ free and low-cost “mini-units” STEM lessons;

• Upcoming tournaments, and the community organizations which True Robotics serves;

• Some of the ways educators can qualify for grants, to bring robotics into their curricula;

• A “teaser” of some of the new robotics products True Robotics will offer in the near future;

• One of the coolest things Anthony has learned about robotics, in the past year!