WATERVILLE — Thomas College announced the launch of a new NASA-supported K–12 robotics initiative funded through the Maine Space Grant Consortium, aimed at helping Central Maine schools start and sustain FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge robotics teams. The project — Building Aspirations through Mentorship and Robotics — is designed to break down barriers for new teams by providing a ready-to-use startup packet, coach training, student mentorship from Thomas College students and monthly on-campus workshops.
Through Maine Space Grant Consortium support and matching contributions from the Perloff Family Foundation, Thomas College will help launch three new FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge teams beginning in late 2025. Each team will receive competition-ready robot kits, field elements, curriculum tie-ins to NASA missions, and access to a January practice scrimmage hosted on the Thomas campus.
“Robotics is one of the most powerful gateways into STEM careers, and Maine students deserve access no matter the size of their school or their resources,” said Thomas College’s Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Principal Investigator for the project Luke Shorty. “By pairing NASA-inspired learning with Thomas College mentors and hands-on coaching support, we are building a pipeline of curiosity, teamwork, and technical skill that will strengthen Maine’s future workforce. We invite schools across the region to connect with us and explore how to begin or expand their robotics journey.”
“Robotics is a great way for students to engage in real-life hands-on STEAM activities, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills along the way,” said Dave Perloff of the Perloff Family Foundation.
“The Robotics Institute of Maine is excited to partner with Thomas to provide this group of young people with the opportunity to participate in competitive robotics. Not only will this better prepare these students for the technical workforce they will enter, this opportunity also provides important 21st century skills: leadership, teamwork, time management, and gracious professionalism. We look forward to seeing the impact of this partnership,” said Director of the Robotics Institute of Maine and co-person of the grant Jamee Luce.
The project also features a statewide dissemination effort. Thomas College will share its turnkey startup packet at Space Day Maine in May and through the Robotics Institute of Maine so that other educators can replicate the model. Monthly professional development workshops for new and existing teams will run from December through May. Learn more about this project on Thomas College’s website.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through the Maine Space Grant Consortium under award number 80NSSC25M7116.