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About Us

Laura Hart is the visionary CEO and Founder of Robofun. While at the Harvard Graduate School of Education she collaborated with Dr. Seymour Papert, founder of the Artificial Intelligence Lab at MIT. Inspired by this collaboration, she decided to form Robofun, a place to ignite young minds.

Robofun isn’t just a company - it’s a haven where children are empowered to explore the realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) in a way that nurtures their creativity and curiosity. For Laura and her dedicated team, education is more than just textbooks and lectures; it’s about hands-on experiences and meaningful connections.

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At Robofun, the ethos of constructivism drives our curricula. It’s not merely about teaching children facts and figures; it’s about guiding them to become active participates in their own learning journey. By providing an environment filled with exciting materials and tools, Laura and her team cultivate a space where imagination thrives and dreams take flight. The belief is simple yet profound: children learn best when they’re having fun. Every project undertaken is not just an exercise in learning but a personal voyage of discovery, where each child’s unique talents and passions are celebrated.

Our teachers create an environment that allows students to progress at their own pace, encourages collaboration and teamwork, and helps children love to learn. We focus on developing confidence, grit, and the desire and ability to solve problems.

Your child will learn about robotics, coding, animation, and creative thinking, as well as build and make simple circuitry projects in Minecraft. Our curricula allow children to become makers and designers. We are not just shaping the minds of tomorrow; we are inspiring a new generation of learners to fall in love with learning

Concurrent with the activities at the Robofun studio, Robofun’s parent company, Vision Education & Media, runs programs for students and teachers in over 100 schools in the New York City area.

Advisory Board

Robofun is committed to using technology as a tool to create resilient and engaged learners. We work tirelessly to design curriculums that combine tech, learning, and fun. Members of our Advisory Board are leaders and innovators in the field of STEM and Art. They share a commitment to STEAM, but most importantly a love for imparting their knowledge to children. They are education experts and recognize that learning isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Margaret Honey

As President and CEO of the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), Dr. Margaret Honey is committed to using the museum as a platform through which it can nurture a generation of creative and collaborative problem solvers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Under her leadership, NYSCI has developed its Design-Make-Play approach to STEM learning and engagement. A graduate of Hampshire College, with a doctorate in developmental psychology from Columbia University, Dr. Honey has shared what she’s learned before Congress, state legislatures, and federal panels, and through numerous articles, chapters, and books.

Artemis Papert

Artemis Papert is an artist creating art in both traditional, mainly acrylic and pastel, and digital media, using code as the medium. After a first career as a research biologist, she retrained in the healing art of shiatsu. With an interest in dream and fairy tale interpretation and as a lifelong learner, she is currently training to become a Jungian psychoanalyst. Artemis has led TurtleArt workshops (a programming environment based on turtle geometry and the LOGO language) for a wide variety of groups in many countries.

Adrianna Pentz

Adriana Pentz is a social entrepreneur and maternal mental health advocate. With over 17 years of teaching and working with young leaders, Adriana has led a variety of initiatives from training young professionals in creating social change, to running after-school robotics classes. She currently serves as the Founder of the Westchester Postpartum Group and runs ESL classes for K-2 grade children. 

Mitchel Resnick

Mitchel Resnick is a Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab, where he develops new technologies and activities to engage people (especially children) in creative learning experiences. His Lifelong Kindergarten research group develops the Scratch programming software and online community, the world’s largest coding platform for kids. His group collaborates with the LEGO® Company on the development of new educational products, including LEGO® Mindstorms robotics kits. Resnick has an undergraduate degree in physics from Princeton, and a Masters's and PhD degree in computer science from MIT. He was awarded the McGraw Prize in Education (2011), the AACE EdMedia Pioneer Award (2013), and the ISTE Making IT Happen Award (2018). He is the author of the book Lifelong Kindergarten, which won the PROSE award for Education Practice in 2018.

Sara Lee Schupf

Sara Lee Schupf is focused on STEM initiatives, especially those relating to STEM education. In addition, she supports programs and ideas that provide more opportunities for women and girls to engage in STEM. She initiated the Weizmann Women and Science Award and is currently a Trustee of the New York Hall of Science, Eugene Lang College, and the Liberal Arts College at the New School. She is also a Trustee Emerita of Skidmore College and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is the namesake of the former Sara Lee Corporation.

Brian Silverman

Since the late 1970s, Brian Silverman has been involved in the invention of learning environments for children. His work includes dozens of LOGO versions (including LogoWriter & MicroWorlds), Scratch, LEGO® robotics, TurtleArt, and the PicoCricket. Brian has been a Visiting Scientist at the MIT Media Lab, enjoys recreational math, and is a computer scientist and master tinkerer. He once even built a tic-tac-toe playing computer out of TinkerToys.

FAQs

Most Asked FAQs

What is Robofun® all about?

Robofun provides children and teachers a place to learn about coding, engineering and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in a way that is child driven and project based.

What can you expect when you send your child to a Robofun® program?

A warm nurturing environment where your child is known personally by his teacher and treated caringly and respectfully. A family-like environment where the happiness of each child is of utmost importance to us. A place where children have fun, learn new things and make new friends.

What makes Robofun® special?

Robofun was started and is led by Laura Hart and we are currently Robofun was started and is led by Laura Hart and we are currently celebrating our 21th year anniversary! Laura has a Master’s Degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Painting and Sculpture from Skidmore College. Prior to starting Robofun, Laura spent 16 years leading computer programs at independent schools in NYC: 14 years at the Buckley School’s and two years at the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High Schools She firmly believes that we learn best by being makers; when we make things we are passionate about we learn more deeply and the skills we learn are often transferable to other areas of learning. Kids are very passionate about coding, building, and designing. Robofun provides a place to do this.

What goes on during your classes?

Classes consist of a number of parts that usually include (but are not limited to):
Instruction in coding, building, or designing
Presentation of a problem or a challenge to solve
Time to code, build and design either in groups of two or individually
Individual attention from our teachers
Circle time where everyone shares his/her work

How do you decide what class is appropriate for my child?

Our classes are generally grouped by age, however we make exceptions when appropriate. We expect that there will be children with little or no experience working side by side with a child who may have come to robofun® many times. We believe that everyone does not have to be learning the same thing at the same time and that a variety of approaches and expertise make a rich learning environment where everyone is learning.

Our teachers are trained to work with each child individually and to develop expectations for each child based upon their prior knowledge, their goals and motivation.

What is the background of your teachers?

Most of our teachers are in the process of getting their Master’s Degrees in a variety of fields: Education, Interactive Telecommunications, Engineering, Mathmatics, Art, to name a few. Our teachers are artists, writers, musicians, and educators. We hire individuals who like children and want to work with them and then we put them through a rigorous training process.

What goes on during summer camp?

We have 12 weeks of summer camp and each week has a different theme and different activities. Each week generally includes:

A morning circle in each class when everyones arrives. They discuss the day, if we have a special speaker, and what each group of students will be working on. The day consists of.

  • Morning classes: building, engineering and robotics

  • Afternoon classes: coding, game designing, and animating

  • An end of the week celebration where parents and friends come and see the work created

  • A “museum walk” where each classroom visits another to see the work other children have done

  • A morning and an afternoon snack and games time. Computers are turned off and kids play board games, and we read stories

  • An hour for lunch includes about 40 minutes in a playground 2 blocks from robofun supervised by our staff

Can you provide a class or lesson at our home?

Not at this time unfortunately. While we may again in the future, we’ve found that given the tech and equipment requirements, its best that students come to Robofun. Please email Noah Diamond noah@robofun.org for more information.

Can my child take their project home?

Within 24 hours after camp is over, your child’s coding project will be emailed to you. However, the LEGO® materials they are using do not go home. This material costs between $200 and $400. They can take home (and always do) their enthusiasm and excitement for their Robofun experience. We will send you pictures throughout the week of your child and the work they are creating.

Can I sign up over the phone?

Yes you can. We are always happy to help you with this (212 245-0444) or you can sign up on the website.

Can I set up a class for my child & friends?

Yes! Call (212 245-0444) or email Noah Diamond noah@robofun.org1 to set up the details. We run many private classes set up by parents for Independent and public school vacation days.

Do we teach coding?

Yes! For over 20 years, Robofun has been working with schools, CBOs and museums to teach foundational skills in coding and computer programming through the variety of technologies that have emerged over the years. Our founder, Laura Allen, has been teaching coding for over 25 years, and previously worked with Dr. Mitchel Resnick, the creator of Scratch.

Why do we teach coding?

We believe that individuals learn in unique and complex ways. Coding at RoboFun allows students to think creatively and apply concepts while they make projects that are personally meaningful to them. Coding also allows children to conduct their own research and experiments in pursuit of knowledge. It exposes them to fun and scientific learning, as well as helps them to become makers and designers who love to learn. Students in our workshops come away with a greater sense of accomplishment because they have learned how to problem solve and grasp large concepts. We believe that these skills can be transferred to other subjects and disciplines.

What software do we use to teach coding?

RoboFun utilizes Scratch Video Game Design and Animation software created by Dr. Mitchel Resnick’s team at the MIT Media Lab. We also teach coding with LEGO® EV3 MindStorms software and LEGO® WeDo software.

Will RoboFun help your child to excel academically?

RoboFun does not provide test prep. We provide an opportunity for children to learn concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with masterful teachers and thoughtfully scaffolded curricula. Your child will be actively engaged in making and designing a personally meaningful project that applies concepts in coding, robotics, and engineering. By engaging in problem-based learning, your student will be devising his or her own solutions to problems in both coding and design. It is these opportunities to create deeper meanings out of scientific learning that will further motivate and engage children in their future studies of any subject.

Does my child have to have experience with Lego or robots or programming?

Your child does not have to have prior experiences with Lego, robots or programming. We work with every child at his or her own level of familiarity and experience. Each class is tailored to the needs and experience of each child.

My child is in 2nd grade but is also the youngest in his class - will he have problems catching up?

As our classes are very individually structured, your child will be working at his or her own level. Our classes are taught in a warm nurturing way to support each learner in the way that is best for him or her.

Do you provide an assessment to determine which class is best for my child based on his abilities?

On the first day your child comes to Robofun, we place them in a class based upon their age. If this does not seem appropriate and we feel your child could thrive in a different group, we will talk to you and suggest moving them to the class that best meets his or her needs.

Sometimes we get requests to have siblings or friends be in the same class, whenever possible we are amenable to this and accommodate.

Does my child get a certificate at the end?

Every child who attends a full week of vacation classes, or summer camp, or an afterschool semester receive a certificate of attendance celebrating his or her achievements.

Do you offer 1 on 1 training?

Yes we do. If you would like information on private lessons, please contact our Program Manager Noah Diamond at noah@robofun.org or call him at 212 245-0444 ext. 107

How many kids are in a class?

Our average class is 8 children. Our largest classes have 10 kids in them. However, our classes often have an assistant teacher so that every child receives a great amount of individual attention. We pride ourselves on making sure that our teachers know each child individually and support their learning.

Is this like daycare?

We take great care of the children that attend Robofun but we are much much more than daycare. The day has a specific structure that includes a morning meeting, a structured time building or coding a project, group discussions and sessions learning new things, and times to share. Every child makes things, learns new ideas and has a wonderful time doing it. Our children work hard at learning and having fun!

Can my child take his/her creations home?

In some classes, your child may take home what they’ve made. In our coding classes, the software used is free and we send a link within 24 hours so that your child may continue working on the game created. In our Minecraft Circuitry classes your child will make small circuitry projects and bring them home. In our LEGO Robotics classes, each child is working with about $400.00 of equipment (motors, sensors, a micro computer) and these do not go home.

My child has behavioral issues. Is your staff trained in this?

We are eager to make our program as inclusive as we can. In order to do this, we need your help. Please call or stop by and tell us what your child’s needs are and we can tell you if our staff have the skills to support your child.

It’s my child’s first time. What do I need to know?

Be ready for your child to have a great time! He or she will be challenged and taught in a gentle supportive way. One child told us he’d rather come here than go to Disney World! You are welcome to stay as long as is needed to make sure you and your child are comfortable.

My child has special needs (e.g., autism). Is this suitable for him/her?

Please call or stop by and we can discuss if we have the capacity to support your child. We work hard to make our programs work well for everything

Is it possible to see what my child is doing in class?

Yes! You are welcome to stay as long or as short as needed for your child to acclimate. At the end of class, you may go into the classroom and see the projects created.

You’re welcome to stop by and check in on him or her and call us during the class if you are concerned our On-Site Program Manager Noah Diamond, will step in, check on them and call you with updates.

Gift Certificates

Robofun is now offering gift certificates! You can give the gift of education, creativity, and inspiration to your loved ones! Gift certificates can be used towards any class or private lesson. Please email Noah Diamond at noah@robofun.org with any questions!

Hart to Heart

Every Thursday at 12:30 PM EST, Laura Hart, CEO & Founder of Robofun, hosts a weekly Facebook LIVE show with a special guest. Topics include educational excellence, teaching skills, parenting skills, and life improvement lessons. The Facebook LIVE sessions are fun, exciting, and educational.

Mission

We provide PreK to 8th grade children, of any skill level or ability, a safe learning environment using innovative technological tools. We believe that all children want to learn and that “hard fun” means that problem solving is challenging, exciting, and personally meaningful. Through personalized and hands-on instruction, we show children how to hone their curiosity and creativity. Our students learn to navigate technical challenges and work collaboratively. Our teachers love working with children and provide children with creative and effective learning experiences. 

Program Dates

Below are the dates for our upcoming semesters.

  1. Spring Afterschool Classes (Round 1): April 5th - April 30th (In-Person and Online)

  2. Spring Afterschool Classes (Round 2): May 3rd - June 4th (In-Person and Online)

  3. Weekend Workshops: May 8th - June 5th (Online)

  4. Vacation Days: 5/13, 6/3, 6/8 (In-Person and Online)

  5. Summer Camp: June 21st - September 3rd (In-Person and Online)

The Robofun Story

INTRO:

Vision Education and Media’s (VEMNY) & Robofun®’s 21st anniversary gives me a tremendous sense of pride and a huge dose of, “What the heck was I thinking?” It offers a time to reflect on what planted the idea for this business to begin with. The answer ultimately comes down to this: I have always had an insatiable curiosity about learning coupled with an innate resistance to accept the status quo. The intersection of both has defined who I am, and what I’ve wanted to do with my life.

When I started Vision Education and Media, commonly known as Robofun®, in 1998, pregnant with my now twenty-one-year-old son, I didn’t really comprehend what it meant to run a company. Up until that point, I’d had an incredibly rewarding sixteen years teaching children creative uses of technology. I graduated from Skidmore College in 1983 having studied painting and sculpture, won the award for most talented painting student, and that fall became The Buckley School’s first Technology Teacher. I stayed at Buckley for fourteen years having full freedom to develop and lead the school’s technology program. During this time I also earned a Masters in Education from Harvard and had the amazing opportunity to collaborate at the MIT Media Lab with key influencers in the field of Educational Technology.

But let’s start at the very beginning, shall we?

Laura Hart

THE BEGINNING:

When I was very young, my dad ran for mayor of Albany, New York, our hometown. He lost, and in retrospect, he was tilting at windmills, the chance of his victory was very small. Watching my father run for office and lose the election led me to think big and to reach for my own larger-than-life goals. I became comfortable with the knowledge that my goals and plans may not happen easily or quickly.

Throughout my teens, I always worked with kids: camp counseling, being a shadow for an autistic student, and volunteering within elementary school classrooms. I loved thinking about how we learn and I loved teaching.

Then, during my undergraduate studies, while I came into my own as a painter and sculptor, my interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Education, Mathematics) took root. At my internship with the Capital Children’s Museum in Washington D.C. I attended a talk on Children and Learning by a man named Dr. Seymour Papert. Little did I know that that first meeting would change the course of my life.

In his talk, Dr. Papert, a student of Piaget’s and the founder of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab (what later became the Media Lab) shared a programming language he had developed called LOGO, but at the heart of it all, his talk reignited my interest in how we learn. I returned to Skidmore eager to study LOGO and learn more. Back then no one knew what I was talking about, but through a series of independent studies with one of Papert’s students, I was able to learn about technology and children and LOGO. I was an irreverent school goer who loved to learn, but disliked the school system, and as such, Dr. Papert’s work spoke to my soul. It helped clarify my thoughts about how we learn, don’t learn, and how we can set up optimal learning environments for children.

“Seymour’s writing helped to clarify my thoughts about how we learn, don’t learn and how we might set up great learning environments for children.”

Upon graduating and beginning my teaching career at Buckley (where I subsequently taught one of our President’s sons), I had to design my own curriculum for Kindergarten-9th graders. There was no computer program when I arrived at Buckley, so I went from a blank canvas in art school to a blank screen on a Commodore 64. I had taught myself LOGO because there was no Educational Technology field at the time. And now I began to design meaningful, engaging projects that married creativity and programming.

While teaching at Buckley (and later The Little Red School House), I spent my summers painting in Maine. By some coincidence or a guiding hand, in 1986, I literally ran into Dr. Seymour Papert in a bakery in Blue Hill, Maine. This chance encounter led to a collaboration with Dr. Papert on teaching children and teachers.

Some people come into our lives for a short visit and have little effect. Others appear and reappear unexpectedly changing our lives forever. That’s how it was for Seymour and me. For over 30 years, Seymour was my mentor, business partner, and friend. When I first saw him in the bakery, I was not sure if I should speak up. After all, I was not trained as a computer scientist. I was completely self-taught. And here I was meeting the person who went to LEGO and developed both the programming language LOGO and LEGO Robotics! I soon discovered we were kindred spirits and that he didn’t often have an opportunity to work deeply with someone outside the Ivory tower of MIT, someone on the ground using his work.

How is it that I began a business teaching STEM before STEM existed? Seymour Papert inspired me. How did I begin teaching coding before the word coding was used by laypeople? Seymour challenged me. He didn't directly challenge me to do exactly what I did; he challenged me to follow my instincts and my yearning for a safe space for children to discover their own creativity, courage, and abilities.

“In my world, art and technology education have overlapping similarity…both start with a blank canvas - or blank screen. At Buckley, I began to design meaningful, engaging projects that married creativity and coding.“

In 1989, Seymour and I started something called “The Stonington Retreat.” This was an intensive five-day summer learning retreat for teachers. We ran it for the next thirteen years. Seymour wanted to bring teachers to Deer Isle, Maine to reconnect with the joy of learning. Each session, we’d work with ten to thirty teachers. The weeks were amazing. We needed four or five days to allow us to get into deeper learning without the constraints we often faced: a limited time period in the school day, and the demands of everyday living. I discovered that giving my adult learners the chance to find their own groove of learning was most effective. Just as I had already learned in teaching children, I was reminded that in our desire to impart knowledge, we often get in the way of learning. I started stepping back and listening more to what was really needed— in teaching both children and adults. Lessons became organized and a structure was found based on my students’ interests rather than my own assumptions as to what was important to cover at a given time. Invariably, this method allows us to cover more material and do so more deeply.

I found combining my background in painting and sculpture with LOGO, LEGO Robotics, and other maker-y endeavors involving circuits, wires, and motors was really challenging and really fun for me. I initially had no curriculum, but fortunately as these disciplines were so unformed there were no curriculums to use. I had a lot of creativity and I loved coding. My students and I came up with projects that meshed coding with art; we designed New York City buildings, allowing the size of the buildings to be controlled using a concept called variables, and sharing each building with each class member. Every child could create their own New York City skyline using the work of each of their classmates.

With my Kindergarteners, we created collaborative digital collages. I took my students to see Alexander Calder’s Circus exhibit and we made robotic circuses. I learned that my classroom had to be a learning place for all, especially me.

“I discovered, while watching my adult students have so much fun, that finding their own groove of learning was much more important than a traditional top down teaching approach.“

“I learned that my classroom had to be a learning place for all, especially for me.“

I discovered that everyone didn’t need to be doing the same thing, and that having children help each other was more effective than me being the only teacher. My classroom became a different universe than the formal traditional environment. One of my biggest problems was getting my students to leave so they could get to their next class on time.

I left teaching children 16 years later, having developed the Technology Program at The Buckley School, The Little Red School House, and Elisabeth Irwin High School. Throughout my career I realized that traditional schools often don’t devote enough time to creative endeavors, and that with the pendulum in schools swinging toward test prep, children miss out on learning that starts with building, making, and creating.

It was time for me to do something about this.

In 1998 when I started Robofun®, I didn’t quite realize that what I was trying to do was unusual. After all, I did it every day in my classroom and in the summer with adult students from around the world. I’m beginning to realize it was and it is unusual.

Robofun has taught STEM to over 20,000 children in our private studio on the Upper West side of Manhattan and in over 300 schools across New York City. I employ over 50 people who are as passionate as I am about empowering children. Our mission is to construct solutions that inspire students and teachers, and to address the widest possible range of academic standards through the use of leading-edge technologies. Robofun provides children a teaching environment that satisfies their curiosity but also allows them to learn in a way that recognizes their individuality – the end result is their love for learning and a desire to repeat it over and over again. We ignite kids’ desire to explore, solve problems and learn. We invent, build, and have fun with cool technologies. Our philosophy of learning is rooted in constructivism, emphasizing a hands-on problem solving and project-based approach to learning that challenges students to think creatively, apply concepts, and actively “construct” meaning.

“Sadly, the pendulum in schools is swinging towards test prep; I am not a big believer that tests prepare you for life.”

Our work has been funded by the National Science Foundation as well as the MacArthur foundation. We’ve collaborated with the MIT Media Lab, NYU’s ITP, Columbia School of Engineering as well as the New York City Department of Education. We’ve written curriculum for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and for the YWCA’s Techgyrls program, and the original user’s manual for Scratch, the language developed at MIT a few generations after LOGO.

In a world where children spend excessive amounts of time glued to digital devices and less time on interpersonal relationships, now more than ever we have to do our part to teach children to think creatively, problem solve, deal with frustration, collaborate and learn to design with new technologies. This is what I saw twenty-one years ago, and this continues to be Robofun’s mission. We teach using robotics, coding, stop motion animation, Minecraft and circuitry, and this list will continue to expand and evolve. Our curricula have been used by thousands of children and we have trained countless teachers. These curricula and technologies are the platforms we use to get the ultimate result: kids who learn to love learning.

We only hire teachers who love children. They must be present, connected, and excited by what they are teaching. They are able to take a simple project, such as making a robotic “Jack-in-the-Box” and see a moment to turn this into a class-wide Rube Goldberg sculpture. Our teachers (who we call mentors) are artists and engineers, and former camp counselors. They understand that although they are trained on our curriculums, they must also improvise, listen, and respond moment-by moment to connect with each child. Above all, what unites them is their love for working with children and their love for learning.

“I have found when teaching kids or adults, that the teacher can get in the way. It is better to step back and listen to what is needed.“

“We only hire teachers that love children. They must be present, connected, and excited by what they are teaching.”

What is most important to me, and is expressed through and by my team, is for kids to have a great experience. We know that each child comes with her own strengths and her need to feel that we recognize how she learns. We focus on teaching kindness by being kind. We focus on collaboration by working on group projects. We teach kids to have a growth mindset as we explore what it means to solve hard problems that can’t be done in just two minutes. We shower kids with positive reinforcement, and we ensure that they always feel safe emotionally, intellectually, and physically.

When my own son was eleven, I was forced to pull him out of school, as I found my brilliant, dyslexic son’s needs were not being met in school. I called myself the reluctant homeschooler. This began a deep dive into homeschooling as well as into making sure that every class we run at Robofun is done in a thoughtful, well-considered way that approaches learning from many different points of entry and supports many different types of learning.

Flash forward to the present. My son, the homeschooler, just successfully finished his first three semesters of college! The other day, the doorbell rang, and a twelve-year-old came into the apartment having just walked our Golden Retriever. He proceeded to sit down and talk to me about why he loved Minecraft and how he thought we should incorporate more Minecraft classes into our programs. I agreed with him and invited him to consult with my staff as we developed the program. When he left, my son said, “Mom, you just keep collecting kids.” He was right! I love what we do, and I am determined to continue my mission to ensure that we show children the joy of learning.

Terms

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ROBOFUN® PROGRAMS

Thank you for your decision to enroll your child in our Robofun® Program. We are excited to have your child begin his or her journey into the world of STEM. This document describes the terms and conditions of your child’s registration in our program. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us!

Enrollment and Payment Policies

In order to guarantee a reserved spot in our program, we ask that you make the Enrollment Fee on or before the date of enrollment. A schedule of Enrollment Fees is available on our website and at our facility. Enrollment Fees are not refundable.

Online Class Cancellation Policy

Please make sure your internet is working and your signal is strong before you login to your Robofun online class! With all family members home and logged on simultaneously (sometimes from multiple devices!) many of us are using our WiFi networks to capacity. Unfortunately, if your internet connection is lost during our class we will not be able to refund you for the class. 

If you are unable to make your scheduled class, you must notify us 24 hours in advance and we will issue you a credit that can be used towards future classes.

Cancellation Policy

Although we always try to accommodate children’s (and their parents’) schedules, when a child misses all or part of their class for any reason, we cannot guarantee that he will be able to make-up that class (including for reasons related to illness). Workshop may be prorated at the discretion of Robofun. Cancellations for on-site Robofun Programs (other than the Summer Camp program) must be made before one (1) week of the program date to receive a full refund, less a seven percent processing fee. For scheduling reasons, there are no refunds for programs canceled less than one (1) week prior to the scheduled date of the program.

Summer Camp Cancellations:

For children enrolled in Robofun’s exciting Summer Camp program, the following cancellation policy will apply: Cancellations made at least three (3) weeks prior to the start date of the camp program will receive a full refund, less a 3.5% percent processing fee. Cancellations made more than (2) weeks but less than three (3) weeks prior to the start date of the camp program will receive a fifty (50%) percent refund. There are no refunds for programs canceled less than two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled date of the program.

Behavior Policy

The safety and well-being of our young attendees is of utmost importance to us. So, if our staff determines in their sole, reasonable discretion that a child is unable to participate in class in an appropriate manner and/or is a safety risk to him/herself, other students, or our staff, that child will be removed from the Robofun classroom and his/her parent or caregiver will be required to immediately pick up the child.

Photo Policy

PRIVATE ACCESS of Photos: Photos of students will be taken throughout their enrolled week of summer camp for the purpose of parent/family viewing. Photos will be uploaded to a password protected page on Robofun’s website. All parents of enrolled students will receive an e-mail link with the password and access to view their student’s photos. By enrolling your child in our Summer Camp program, you hereby consent to the use of your child’s photographs in this manner.
PROMOTIONAL USE of Photos: Unless we are notified in writing that you would not like your child’s photo used, photographs of your child may be used for advertising or promotions. By enrolling your child in Robofun, you hereby grant our company (Vision Education & Media, LLC) the right to take photographs of your child in connection with his or her attendance and participation in Robofun and grant a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use such photographs for any lawful purpose reasonably related to the promotion of Vision Education & Media, LLC and its Summer Camp and/or Robofun programs, including (for example) advertising and web content.

Child Safety

As we mentioned above, your child’s safety and wellbeing are of the utmost priority to us. By enrolling your child in our program, we understand that you have reviewed the types of activities in which your child will be participating (if you do not, please ask us). Regardless of how remote the possibility, we wish to make you aware of our procedures in the event of an emergency and, by enrolling in Robofun, you hereby agree to the following procedures, terms and conditions to which you agree:

In the event of an emergency, Robofun personnel will attempt to contact you and/or the other emergency contact persons listed on your child’s registration. If your child is injured and should require immediate emergency care, Robofun personnel are authorized to contact emergency response personnel or, if unavailable, transport the child to the nearest emergency care facility.

If your child has any allergies or other pre-existing medical condition, we ask that you make us aware of that condition, in writing, at the time of their enrollment. We cannot take additional steps to ensure your child’s safety unless you tell us about any medical conditions they may have.

By enrolling in our program you acknowledge and understand that despite all efforts that may be made to the contrary when it comes to children occasionally injuries can happen. As such, by enrolling your child in Robofun, you hereby agree to indemnify and will hold harmless the members, managers, and employees of Vision Education & Media, LLC, its from liability for any injuries sustained by your child, except arising from any act of their gross negligence.

By enrolling your child in Robofun, you hereby agree to the following: Vision Education & Media, LLC is a Manhattan-based company and does not maintain offices outside of the State of New York. As a result, our agreement for enrollment shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York and the venue for any dispute which may arise hereunder shall be the Courts of the State of New York, County of New York. In the event that any dispute arises out of your child’s enrollment in Robofun or any other action or proceeding (including any claim of a tort committed by either party) is commenced arising out of such enrollment, if Vision Education & Media, LLC prevails in such an action it shall be entitled to recover all costs, expenses, and fees (including attorneys’ fees) resulting therefrom. YOU HEREBY AGREE TO THE WAIVER OF ANY TRIAL BY JURY IN SUCH AN ACTION. To the extent that any waiver set forth herein is determined to be too broad or contrary to law, the parties hereby agree that the Court should apply a “blue pencil” and limit them to read in such a way that the waiver is read in the broadest possible manner permitted by law.

Parent Testimonials

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What I find unique and impressive about Robofun is their inclusion philosophy; everyone is welcomed and every child’s learning style and behavior are carefully attended to. They literally unlocked my child’s creativity.

— Robofun Parent

Awards

In 2019, received a spotlight award from the ICIC.

In 2018, awarded a My Brother’s Keeper Grant.

In 2011, the NSF funds our high school program in green technology.

In 2008, the MacArthur Foundation funds our work in creative uses in STEM.

School Programs

Field Trips

We offer field trips for pre-K through 6h grade students.

Robofun’s field trips excite students about STEAM!

Students will learn STEAM concepts through engaging project-based learning. Our field trips offer an opportunity for schools to come to our studio and complete a project in robotics, coding, animation, or circuitry. Students will learn concepts in these areas while building projects such as a race car, video game, alarm clock, or animation movie.

You can bring groups of 10-30 students for a two-hour interval. We will provide each class with two highly trained teachers and your choice of a hands-on project in robotics, coding, animation, or circuitry.

Every student will complete a project and feel inspired by their creation.

For bookings, please contact our Onsite Program Manager, Noah Diamond, at 212 245 0444 ext. 107

In-School Programs

For Elementary and Middle School Students

Robofun is one division of our parent company Vision Education & Media. Our parent company works in over 80 schools, community centers, and libraries in the NYC area. 

Curriculums are developed and tested at our Robofun studio through designated lab classes before being offered offsite. We have been running programs offsite for over twenty-one years. Partnerships in the past have been funded by schools, PTA’s, and grants such as The National Science Foundation and The MacArthur Foundation. Federal and state funding has come from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, My Brother’s Keeper initiative, and other local funding sources. 

Program Offerings

Listed below are available class titles. Please click here to download a complete offering sheet with class descriptions.

  • Little Engineers (PreK)

  • Little Coders (PreK-K)

  • PreRobo  (K-1st)

  • Junior Robotics  (2nd-3rd)

  • Coding & Game Design (1st-8th)

  • Lego Mindstorm Robotics (3rd-8th)

  • Minecraft & Circuits (3rd-8th)

  • Animation (3rd-8th)

If you’re interested in speaking with us to learn more about running a program at your location, please contact Alexandra Cheney, Director of Operations, at alex@vemny.org or call 212.245.0444.

Press and News

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Work With Us

Robofun OPEN POSITIONS:

Hey there,

If you’re here you must love kids - we all do and it is a basic, uncompromising requirement to work with us. Whether you’re a techie, a geek, a widgets’ guru or an artist, you will be energized and inspired by our collective unity and mission to work with kids from Pre-K to sixth graders.

We’ve pioneered after-school Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) in 1998 and we’re celebrating our 24th Anniversary this year. Our teachers (we call them Mentors) and staff have touched the lives of over twenty thousand kids in New York City.

If you enjoy making a difference in the lives of children take the first step and apply. Simply open the PDF for position you’re interested in, all the application instructions are listed there.

Part-Time Multimedia & Stem Teaching Artist

Vision Education & Media dba Robofun provides exciting, hands-on after school programs using emerging technologies for PK-12th grade youth. We ignite kids’ passion to explore and solve problems as they learn to invent, build, code, and troubleshoot. We believe learning should be fun!

Part-Time Multimedia & Stem Teaching Assistant

Vision Education & Media dba Robofun provides exciting, hands-on after school programs using emerging technologies for PK-12th grade youth. We ignite kids’ passion to explore and solve problems as they learn to invent, build, code, and troubleshoot. We believe learning should be fun!