PHL Robotics Program

  • A friendly looking robot.
  • Child building Lego robot

At Palm Harbor Library, we recognize the need for a Robotics program that is no-cost to participants. Why Robotics?

  • Robotics teaches students skills they will use in their careers and throughout life.
  • Robotics and technology are the future.
  • Robotics applies math and science concepts from the classroom to the real world.

Our goal is to teach kids introductory programming concepts and foundational building principles all while having fun in a team-based environment. Students develop their creative, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and communication skills in order to build confidence and life-long success.

The Palm Harbor Library commits to sustaining the “Palm Harbor Library Robotics Program.” The robotics program is part of our library’s Long-Range Plan and represents a commitment to the needs of our community.

About Palm Harbor Library’s Robotics Program

For our Intro to Robotics event series (during August – December each year), no experience is required! Students must be in Grades 5-8. They will work with mentor Ms. Bianca to gain a basic understanding of coding and the ways in which technology can be utilized to perform fully automated tasks using LEGO Spike Prime.

Students who have previously completed Intro to Robotics and have been selected for Competition Robotics meet during our Spring sessions (January – May) leading up to the annual local RoboFest Competition in March. These students will work in teams to create the best robots. At RoboFest, teams have the potential to earn a spot to compete in the RoboFest World Championship at Lawrence Technical University in Michigan. Sessions for Competition Robotics are invitation-only (limited number of spots available) for students in 5th – 8th Grade.

In May and December of each year, Palm Harbor Library also hosts a BattleBots competition where students let their robots “battle” each other to victory. This event is open for the public to attend. Please check our events calendar for specific dates/times.

Interested in having your student participate? Please reach out to Head of Youth Services, Marisa Steuer, at marisa@phlib.org or call 727-784-3332 option 3.

Meet our Volunteer Robotics Instructor

Bianca Gittinger-Linzer is a current attendee of the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida. She has graciously volunteered to share her vast robotics knowledge with the greater Palm Harbor Community. Her eight years of experience include being a head programmer for the winning team at the Florida FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship, competing twice at the RoboFest World Championship, mentoring multiple RoboFest teams that have competed at the world championship, and mentoring the world champion robotics club at Palm Harbor University High School.

Special thanks to our current sponsors: Friends of the Palm Harbor LibraryTampa Bay Technology AlliancePalm Harbor CaresAbsolute Family Care LLCPalm Harbor Rotary Club.