STEM programming taking center stage for students
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Robotics at Carver Community Center is back in full swing, and this year the momentum is stronger than ever. Under the leadership of gifted engineer and instructor Jeff Marrah, along with a dedicated support team, Carver is preparing students for an exciting season of growth and competition.
At the heart of the program is a competitive team of middle school students who will meet at least three days each week. Their schedule will be filled with hands-on learning, designing, coding, testing, and reworking robots through trial and error. The goal is not simply to follow instructions, but to problem-solve creatively and build the best version of a winning machine.
These students will represent Carver in league play with VEX IQ this year, putting their teamwork and technical skills to the test against other programs.
But competition is just one piece of the picture. The robotics club remains open to all students who have registered, regardless of experience. For many, this club provides their first introduction to robotics, learning how to assemble, program, and operate a functioning robot. The environment encourages curiosity and resilience, teaching kids to refine their skills step by step.
This dual approach creates a powerful system. While the competitive team prepares for league challenges, the general robotics club serves as a feeder program, a space where future competitors can learn the fundamentals and grow in confidence.
“What we’re really building here is a pipeline,” said instructor Jeff Marrah. “The club gives kids that first hands-on experience, and over time it feeds into the competitive team. It’s about creating a program that keeps growing, year after year, and gives students a safe place to explore, learn, and succeed.”
The vision is clear: Carver Robotics will become more than just a club. It will be a hub for STEM programming, equipping students with skills that will serve them for years to come.