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Middle School Programs

Competitive Robotics Program

USC’s middle school competitive robotics teams compete in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge Competition. Friendly competition is at the heart of Challenge, as teams of students engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering – building and programming a LEGO® Education SPIKE Prime robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. As part of Challenge, teams also design an innovative solution to a real-world problem relevant to the theme. To learn more about the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge, visit the FLL website.

USC students in grades 5 through 8 are able to participate on a competitive robotics team.  Expecting to have approximately 15 teams annually, there is a lot of room for involvement. There is a program coordinator for the middle school competitive teams, but the coaching for each team is done by a minimum of two volunteer parent coaches per team.  

Teams meet in the evening and on the weekend, based on coach availability, and are expected to invest 6-10 hours per week into their team. The regional FLL season takes place during the first semester. Select teams may be invited to compete at the state and national level for the second semester based on their performance.

Teams are encouraged to create a website to showcase their efforts. Visit the “Meet Our Teams” page for links to each team’s website.

Non-Competitive Robotics Programs

Boyce Middle School

Depending on the school year, the Boyce Middle School after school Robotics Club may use the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Kits or the BirdBrain Technologies Hummingbird Kit. These kits include building pieces, sensors, and motors which allow students to build and program a robot to handle various tasks.  

There will be 4 cohorts of students for the Boyce Middle School after school, non-competitive robotics club. Each cohort will meet once a week after school for one hour in the STEAM Design Room. 

Cohorts are capped at 20 students each. There will be a minimum of one cohort designated as a girls only cohort while the others are open to anyone. Students may only sign up for one semester (one cohort) of the after school, non-competitive robotics club due to high interest. All cohorts will be experiencing the same program. 

 

Fort Couch Middle School

The Fort Couch Middle School after school Robotics Club uses the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Kits. These kits include building pieces, sensors, and motors which allow students to build and program a robot to handle various tasks.  

There will be 2 cohorts of students for the Fort Couch Middle School after school, non-competitive robotics club. Each cohort will meet once a week after school for one hour either during 1st or 2nd semester.

Cohorts are capped at 20 students each. Students may only sign up for one semester (one cohort) of the after school, non-competitive robotics club due to high interest. All cohorts will be experiencing the same program.