Support Tolland County Robotics!

LEGO R.I.S.E. Program

Robotics, Innovation, STEM, and Engineering!

Program Overview

Grades: K - 4

The LEGO Explorers Program runs from January 12th - March 28th, 2026.

Registration will open on October 1st!

In LEGO Explorers, teams of students focus on the fundamentals of engineering as they explore real-world problems, and learn to design, code, and create unique solutions made with LEGO bricks and powered by a LEGO Education robot. Teams will learn the basics of motors, coding, and engineering and will engage in critical thinking. Each year there is a different theme that the students learn about. The season concludes with an end-of-the-year celebration where students showcase their Lego models and poster board. Here are some findings from the program:

2025-2026 Program

Registration for our 2025-2026 Program is open! All programs meet ONCE A WEEK from the week of January 12th - March 28th, 2026. The end-of-the-year festival is on March 28th. This year, we have 7 different options:

Mondays: Tolland County Ag Center, Vernon

Tuesday: Andover Town Hall, Andover

Tuesday: Hall Memorial Library, Ellington

Wednesday: Mansfield Public Library, Mansfield

Thursday: Stafford Public Library, Stafford

Thursday: Hall Memorial Library, Ellington

Thursday: Rockville Public Library, Vernon

All programs run from:

4:30-5:30 for Kindergarten and 1st Grade Students

5:30-7:00 for 2nd and 3rd Grade Students

Registration

K - 1ST GRADE REGISTRATION LINK

2ND - 3RD GRADE REGISTRATION LINK

Question and Answer

For any questions not answered below, please contact ymacary@tcrobotics.org.

Is there any costs associated with the program?

No, our RISE program is free to participate in. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit our donate page to support the efforts of the Tolland County Robotics Foundation.

Are parents required to stay for the duration of the program?

Parents are required to stay on the premises for the duration of the program. We encourage parents to get involved and help out where they can- parent involvement makes our programs better!

How long is the program?

The program lasts 10-12 weeks, with 1-1.5 hour meetings each week.

How do you communicate with parents?

We send emails and text message updates using the contact details you provided upon registration. Please check your email regularly to ensure you recieve any notifications that we send out.

Do students need to be from a specific town to participate in the program?

No, there is no residency requirement for any of our programs.

Do I have to attend every single session?

In this program, students are working with and commit to a team. As such, we expect students to attend every session. We understand that illness and other issues may arise, but we hope that every family that signs up commits to the program as much as possible.

Will students work in a team?

Yes, students will be working in teams of 5-6 students for the duration of the season.

Who will be running the program?

The program is run through a collaboration between public libraries and the Tolland County Robotics Foundation. Foundation mentors and the children's librarian(s) collaborate to run the program. All foundation mentors go through a background check before beginning the program.

Is there a competition at the end of the season?

At the end of the season, students will attend a festival with other teams in the area. This will give them the opportunity to be recognized for their efforts throughout the season and to see other teams across the state, connecting them to the larger FIRST community.

What is the next program after LEGO Explorers?

After students become too old for LEGO Explorers, they can participate in FIRST Lego League Challenge. Please visit that page of our site for more information.

My student is in 4th grade, what program should they sign up for?

Starting in the 2026-2027 season, 4th grade students will be part of the LEGO Explorers Program.

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