ForgeBot AI Lab STEM and Robotics Curriculum

Class 01 Week 1

Circuits Basics

Focus: Children discover how a battery powers an LED and learn the idea of a complete circuit.

What students do: Build and decorate a first glowing badge using a coin cell, LED, and simple conductive connections.

Key tools: LED, coin battery, copper tape, cardboard, markers

Take-home outcome: A glowing LED badge and a first success with electricity.

Class 02 Week 1

Switch and Circuit

Focus: Learners understand how opening and closing a switch controls the flow of electricity.

What students do: Add an on-off switch to the badge and test how the light responds.

Key tools: Badge from Class 1, simple switch, battery, wires

Take-home outcome: A working badge with switch control.

Class 03 Week 2

Motors and Motion

Focus: Children explore how a motor creates movement and turns energy into motion.

What students do: Build a small spinning or vibrating toy using a battery-powered motor.

Key tools: Small DC motor, battery holder, wires, craft materials

Take-home outcome: A motorized toy prototype ready to combine with light in the next class.

Class 04 Week 2

Combine Light and Motion

Focus: The class connects multiple components in one playful build.

What students do: Attach an LED to a moving toy base to create a light-up motion project.

Key tools: Motor toy, LED, battery, tape, wires

Take-home outcome: A completed light-up moving toy to take home.

Class 05 Week 3

3D Design Intro

Focus: Children learn how basic digital shapes become printable objects.

What students do: Create a name tag or keychain design in a beginner-friendly CAD tool.

Key tools: Computer or tablet, Tinkercad, sketch references

Take-home outcome: A saved 3D design ready for printing.

Class 06 Week 3

3D Printing

Focus: Students experience how a 3D printer turns digital design into a physical object.

What students do: Watch the printing process, then remove and clean printed name tags or keychains.

Key tools: 3D printer, PLA filament, printed models

Take-home outcome: A printed part children can hold and personalize.

Class 07 Week 4

Finish 3D Project

Focus: This class prepares the printed object for electronics and final finishing.

What students do: Clean the printed part, decorate it, and get it ready for LED integration.

Key tools: Printed tag, sandpaper, craft supplies, LED prep parts

Take-home outcome: A polished project body ready to light up.

Class 08 Week 4

Light-Up Keepsake

Focus: Children combine a printed object with simple electronics.

What students do: Insert and wire an LED into the printed keepsake so it lights with a battery and switch.

Key tools: Printed tag, LED, battery, wire, tape or solder support

Take-home outcome: An illuminated 3D printed keepsake.

Class 09 Week 5

Sensor 1 - Light

Focus: Learners discover how a light sensor can react to darkness or brightness.

What students do: Build a simple night-light circuit using a photoresistor and LED.

Key tools: Photoresistor, LED, resistor, battery, transistor

Take-home outcome: A night-light gadget that reacts to light conditions.

Class 10 Week 5

Sensor 2 - Tilt and Sound

Focus: Children explore how motion or sound can trigger a response in a circuit.

What students do: Create a buzzer, clap-light, or shake-activated build using simple sensor logic.

Key tools: Small motor or vibration switch, buzzer or LED, battery

Take-home outcome: A gadget that responds to shake, tilt, or clap.

Class 11 Week 6

Intro to Coding

Focus: Students begin learning how instructions can control light and behavior.

What students do: Use a block-coding app to sequence LED patterns or simple outputs.

Key tools: Tablet or laptop, block-coding app, starter coding kit

Take-home outcome: A first coding sequence and stronger logic vocabulary.

Class 12 Week 6

Make-It-Glow

Focus: The class connects coding with a real physical output.

What students do: Apply a simple program to make an LED blink in a pattern on hardware.

Key tools: Beginner microcontroller board, LED, USB cable, coding app

Take-home outcome: A coded LED build that connects software to a real output.

Class 13 Week 7

Bristle-Bot Bug

Focus: Children learn how vibration can create motion in a tiny robot.

What students do: Build a bristle-bot from a toothbrush head, motor, and battery.

Key tools: Toothbrush head, toy motor, coin battery, tape, glue

Take-home outcome: A bristle-bot build ready for personalization and racing in the next class.

Class 14 Week 7

Decorate and Race

Focus: Students personalize their robot and test how design affects movement.

What students do: Decorate bristle-bots, compare performance, and run short races.

Key tools: Completed bots, craft supplies, race track setup

Take-home outcome: A finished personalized bristle-bot to take home.

Class 15 Week 8

Line-Follower Bot

Focus: Children explore how simple sensors can detect contrast and follow a path.

What students do: Add light sensors to a basic bot and configure it to follow tape lines.

Key tools: Photoresistors, small chassis, Arduino-compatible board, tape track

Take-home outcome: A first line-following robot behavior.

Class 16 Week 8

Test and Troubleshoot

Focus: Learners practice tuning and debugging a robot behavior.

What students do: Adjust sensitivity, fix balance issues, and improve line-following performance.

Key tools: Line-following bot, test track, simple coding or wiring controls

Take-home outcome: A better-performing robot and early troubleshooting habits.

Class 17 Week 9

Servos and Steering

Focus: Students see how a servo can control precise turning and steering.

What students do: Attach a servo to a simple steering setup and test turning motion.

Key tools: Micro servo, axle or wheel unit, controller, wires

Take-home outcome: A steering mechanism that responds to control input.

Class 18 Week 9

Robot Car Build

Focus: The class combines earlier skills into a basic wheeled robot platform.

What students do: Assemble a 2WD robot car with wheels, motors, battery, and steering support.

Key tools: 2WD chassis kit, motors, battery box, wires, axle parts

Take-home outcome: A working robot car platform.

Class 19 Week 10

Complete Robot Car

Focus: Children integrate communication and control into the robot car.

What students do: Add an infrared receiver and connect the car to a remote-control workflow.

Key tools: Robot car, IR receiver, remote, microcontroller

Take-home outcome: A more complete robot with responsive control.

Class 20 Week 10

Remote Control

Focus: This session helps students practice steering, speed, and wiring refinement.

What students do: Drive the robot, tune the build, and refine how it responds to commands.

Key tools: Completed robot car, IR remote, decoration and tuning materials

Take-home outcome: A decorated, driveable remote-controlled car.

Class 21 Week 11

Mini-Invention Challenge

Focus: Children shift from guided projects into early invention thinking.

What students do: Brainstorm a useful gadget, toy, or alarm and sketch a simple plan.

Key tools: Paper, pencils, craft materials, example inspirations

Take-home outcome: A mini invention idea with a simple build plan.

Class 22 Week 11

Make Your Invention

Focus: Students turn their idea into a buildable prototype.

What students do: Construct the invention using available circuits, motors, and creative materials.

Key tools: Chosen components, cardboard, simple electronics, craft supplies

Take-home outcome: A working prototype in progress.

Class 23 Week 12

Rehearsal

Focus: Children learn to explain what they built and how it works.

What students do: Practice presenting projects, refine details, and prepare displays for parents.

Key tools: Completed builds, display boards, markers

Take-home outcome: A stronger project story and presentation plan.

Class 24 Week 12

Showcase Day

Focus: The term ends with a celebration of learning, creativity, and confidence.

What students do: Present projects and portfolios to parents and invited guests.

Key tools: Display tables, projects, portfolios, certificates

Take-home outcome: A final showcase experience and visible sense of achievement.

Class 01 Week 1

Advanced Circuits

Focus: Students move beyond simple kits into breadboards, transistors, and cleaner circuit building.

What students do: Build a blinking LED circuit on a breadboard and understand switching components.

Key tools: Breadboard, LEDs, resistors, transistor, jumper wires

Take-home outcome: A working breadboard circuit and stronger component familiarity.

Class 02 Week 1

Introduction to Microcontrollers

Focus: Children learn how code gets uploaded to a real controller board.

What students do: Set up the Arduino environment and upload a basic blink program.

Key tools: Arduino-compatible board, USB cable, LED, resistor

Take-home outcome: A first coded hardware project.

Class 03 Week 2

Digital Logic Basics

Focus: Learners begin understanding logic combinations and sensor decisions.

What students do: Explore AND and OR style sensor thinking with simple signal examples.

Key tools: Breadboard, basic sensors, logic examples, controller board

Take-home outcome: A better understanding of conditional behavior in builds.

Class 04 Week 2

Programming Sequences

Focus: The class builds confidence with output patterns, timing, and structured code.

What students do: Program LED sequences, buzzer patterns, and timing-based behavior.

Key tools: Controller board, buzzer, LEDs, coding setup

Take-home outcome: A sequenced output program and stronger coding rhythm.

Class 05 Week 3

Motors and Gears

Focus: Students explore torque, speed, and how gear design affects robot performance.

What students do: Print or assemble simple gear parts and test different motion setups.

Key tools: 3D printed gears, motor, battery, small mechanism parts

Take-home outcome: A working gear assembly and better mechanical intuition.

Class 06 Week 3

Build Buggy

Focus: The class builds a first proper robot chassis with motors and wheels.

What students do: Assemble a buggy frame and test drive the platform before automation is added.

Key tools: 2WD chassis, motors, wheels, motor driver, battery

Take-home outcome: A driveable robot buggy base.

Class 07 Week 4

Sensors 1 - Distance

Focus: Children learn how ultrasonic sensing measures space around a robot.

What students do: Mount a distance sensor to the chassis and test range readings.

Key tools: Ultrasonic sensor, robot car, microcontroller, cables

Take-home outcome: A robot platform that can detect obstacles.

Class 08 Week 4

Sensors 2 - Light and IR

Focus: Students compare multiple sensor types and how robots react to the environment.

What students do: Use IR or light sensors to trigger responses in the buggy.

Key tools: IR or light sensor modules, buggy, coding setup

Take-home outcome: A sensor-reactive robot behavior.

Class 09 Week 5

Autonomous Robot Car

Focus: The robot begins making its own decisions based on sensor input.

What students do: Program the car to turn away from obstacles using conditional logic.

Key tools: Robot car, ultrasonic sensor, controller, motor driver

Take-home outcome: A working obstacle-avoiding robot car.

Class 10 Week 5

Adjust and Improve

Focus: This class turns testing into better calibration and more stable robot behavior.

What students do: Tune turning thresholds, speed, and path response through repeated trials.

Key tools: Completed robot car, test course, coding laptop

Take-home outcome: A smoother and more reliable autonomous build.

Class 11 Week 6

Introduction to IoT

Focus: Students learn that hardware can connect to Wi-Fi and communicate online.

What students do: Configure a NodeMCU or similar board and connect it to a local wireless network.

Key tools: NodeMCU or ESP board, USB cable, laptop

Take-home outcome: A connected microcontroller setup.

Class 12 Week 6

Web Control

Focus: Children see how a phone or browser can control hardware remotely.

What students do: Build a simple web or mobile interface to toggle an LED or control an output.

Key tools: NodeMCU, LED or motor, phone or browser interface

Take-home outcome: A beginner IoT project controlled from a phone or web page.

Class 13 Week 7

3D Printing Functional Part

Focus: The class shifts from decorative prints to practical robot parts.

What students do: Design a small gear, gripper, or housing part for a robot system.

Key tools: CAD tool, 3D printer, PLA filament

Take-home outcome: A custom printed functional part.

Class 14 Week 7

Assemble 3D Part

Focus: Students connect printed parts with moving hardware.

What students do: Mount the printed part onto a servo or robot mechanism and test motion.

Key tools: Printed part, micro servo, controller board, wires

Take-home outcome: A functioning robot mechanism such as a gripper.

Class 15 Week 8

Project Challenge 1

Focus: Children begin moving from guided builds into original problem solving.

What students do: Choose a challenge such as plant monitoring or a water alert system and plan a solution.

Key tools: Chart paper, markers, sample sensors, planning sheets

Take-home outcome: A capstone project idea and component list.

Class 16 Week 8

Begin Prototype

Focus: The class turns plans into the first working version of a solution.

What students do: Assemble circuitry and coding for the first project prototype.

Key tools: Sensors, microcontroller, breadboard, wires

Take-home outcome: A semi-complete working hardware prototype.

Class 17 Week 9

Prototype Iteration

Focus: Students debug, calibrate, and improve their project through testing.

What students do: Check sensor accuracy, troubleshoot code, and refine behavior.

Key tools: Prototype from Class 16, testing setup

Take-home outcome: A more dependable and refined prototype.

Class 18 Week 9

Add Complexity

Focus: The build gains one more feature or layer of functionality.

What students do: Integrate a second sensor, display, or buzzer into the project.

Key tools: Additional sensor, buzzer or LCD, controller board

Take-home outcome: An upgraded device with richer functionality.

Class 19 Week 10

AI Introduction

Focus: Children meet the idea of machine learning through a simple, guided experiment.

What students do: Train a basic model using a kid-friendly machine learning workflow.

Key tools: Computer with webcam or microphone, internet access

Take-home outcome: A first trained model and a beginner understanding of AI workflow.

Class 20 Week 10

ML Application

Focus: The class connects a trained model to a real output or device behavior.

What students do: Apply a trained model to trigger an LED, sound, or smart action on a board.

Key tools: Micro:bit or compatible board, trained model, simple outputs

Take-home outcome: A beginner smart gadget powered by a model.

Class 21 Week 11

Finalize Project

Focus: Students complete the hardware and software needed for a full demonstration.

What students do: Finish assembly, test all features, and prepare the final project flow.

Key tools: Completed capstone build, controller, sensors, finishing materials

Take-home outcome: A demo-ready project.

Class 22 Week 11

Practice Presentation

Focus: Children learn how to explain innovation, not just build it.

What students do: Rehearse describing the problem, the build, and how the project works.

Key tools: Completed project, note cards, display planning

Take-home outcome: A clear presentation structure.

Class 23 Week 12

Rehearsal and Reflection

Focus: The final practice round improves confidence and polish before showcase.

What students do: Run a full rehearsal, gather peer feedback, and refine project displays.

Key tools: Project setup, poster or photo board, reflection prompts

Take-home outcome: A polished showcase setup and stronger confidence.

Class 24 Week 12

Showcase Day

Focus: The term closes with a public presentation of practical STEM work.

What students do: Present projects to parents, answer questions, and share the build journey.

Key tools: Finished project, display boards, portfolio materials

Take-home outcome: A visible portfolio of creations and a real sense of ownership.

Class 01 Week 1

Design Thinking

Focus: Students begin with real-world problems and think like creators, not just learners.

What students do: Brainstorm social or environmental challenges and choose a meaningful project direction.

Key tools: Research prompts, chart paper, markers

Take-home outcome: A chosen challenge and a clear problem statement.

Class 02 Week 1

Project Planning

Focus: The class turns an idea into a realistic invention plan.

What students do: Define goals, sketch solution blocks, assign roles, and map a build timeline.

Key tools: Whiteboard, planning sheets, markers

Take-home outcome: A project blueprint with milestones.

Class 03 Week 2

Advanced Circuits

Focus: Learners work with multiple sensor inputs and more complex control logic.

What students do: Build a multi-sensor prototype that reacts to combined conditions such as motion and light.

Key tools: Arduino or Raspberry Pi, multiple sensors, breadboard

Take-home outcome: A multi-sensor circuit prototype.

Class 04 Week 2

Programming Refresher

Focus: Students use higher-level code to process input and control outputs more deliberately.

What students do: Write Python or App Inventor logic to display, log, or react to sensor data.

Key tools: Laptop or Raspberry Pi, IDE or app builder

Take-home outcome: Working code that reads and uses sensor values.

Class 05 Week 3

Robotics with Purpose

Focus: Mechanical design is connected to a real project need.

What students do: Build or refine a robotic subsystem such as a gripper or wheel assembly for the prototype.

Key tools: Servos, motors, frame parts, hardware tools

Take-home outcome: A functioning mechanical component for the project.

Class 06 Week 3

3D Modeling

Focus: Students design practical custom parts that solve a project problem.

What students do: Model and print brackets, gears, or housings that support the invention.

Key tools: CAD software, 3D printer, filament

Take-home outcome: A custom printed part designed for a real use case.

Class 07 Week 4

IoT Deep Dive

Focus: The prototype begins communicating with an online system.

What students do: Set up cloud logging and send sensor data to a simple dashboard.

Key tools: NodeMCU or Raspberry Pi, Wi-Fi, cloud dashboard account

Take-home outcome: A live online sensor dashboard.

Class 08 Week 4

Mobile Control

Focus: Students create a user-facing way to monitor or control their invention.

What students do: Build a simple mobile or web interface that reads data or triggers actions.

Key tools: MIT App Inventor or web editor, smartphone or laptop

Take-home outcome: A prototype app or control page.

Class 09 Week 5

Machine Learning Intro

Focus: Children experience how a simple model is trained from examples.

What students do: Use a beginner ML tool to train a model on two classes such as objects, colors, or sounds.

Key tools: Computer with webcam or microphone, browser-based ML tool

Take-home outcome: A trained model and a clear AI workflow understanding.

Class 10 Week 5

AI Integration

Focus: The model becomes part of a real hardware experience.

What students do: Deploy a trained model to a compatible device and connect it to a practical trigger or feedback loop.

Key tools: Raspberry Pi or ML-compatible board, model files, camera or sensor

Take-home outcome: A smart device behavior linked to a trained model.

Class 11 Week 6

Final Prototype Build

Focus: Teams assemble the hardware and software into a coherent invention.

What students do: Integrate sensors, code, printed parts, and outputs into one complete device.

Key tools: All project subsystems, tools, connectors, enclosure parts

Take-home outcome: A near-complete invention prototype.

Class 12 Week 6

Testing and Iteration

Focus: Students field-test the device and improve reliability through iteration.

What students do: Run scenario-based tests, gather observations, and refine performance.

Key tools: Prototype, test sheets, calibration tools

Take-home outcome: A more stable and practical final build.

Class 13 Week 7

Business Pitch

Focus: The project gains a stronger real-world framing and value proposition.

What students do: Identify who benefits, what problem is solved, and how the invention should be explained.

Key tools: Pitch notes, sample presentation references

Take-home outcome: A clearer product story and positioning.

Class 14 Week 7

Preparation

Focus: Teams prepare slides, demo steps, and presentation structure.

What students do: Create posters or slides that explain the problem, the system, and the user benefit.

Key tools: Presentation software, poster board, printed visuals

Take-home outcome: A presentation kit ready for rehearsal.

Class 15 Week 8

VR Visualization

Focus: A short VR session is used as an inspiration and visualization tool, not the main lesson.

What students do: Explore a relevant engineering or design concept in VR and reflect on what it clarifies.

Key tools: VR headset, prepared scenario

Take-home outcome: A stronger visual understanding of the project space.

Class 16 Week 8

Rehearsal

Focus: Students practice presenting their invention clearly and confidently.

What students do: Run a timed presentation and demo sequence with peer questions.

Key tools: Completed project, pitch slides, demo script

Take-home outcome: A more confident and polished delivery.

Class 17 Week 9

Peer Review

Focus: The class uses feedback to strengthen both the invention and the presentation.

What students do: Present draft demos to classmates and collect notes on clarity, usefulness, and user experience.

Key tools: Project prototype, peer review forms, feedback prompts

Take-home outcome: Actionable feedback for refinement.

Class 18 Week 9

Refinement

Focus: Students improve the project based on real feedback and edge-case thinking.

What students do: Refine hardware, improve UI or response quality, and close final gaps.

Key tools: Project tools, replacement parts, coding setup

Take-home outcome: A stronger final version of the invention.

Class 19 Week 10

Event Prep

Focus: The showcase setup is treated like a real demonstration environment.

What students do: Arrange booths, test demos, prepare handouts, and organize the visitor flow.

Key tools: Tables, posters, project kits, handouts

Take-home outcome: A showcase-ready exhibition setup.

Class 20 Week 10

Showcase Day

Focus: Students publicly demonstrate what they built and what problem it solves.

What students do: Present the invention to parents and mentors, answer questions, and reflect on learning.

Key tools: Final prototype, posters, presentation materials

Take-home outcome: A complete innovation showcase and a clear future-learning direction.