GRADES 5–8 | HANDS-ON ROBOTICS & CODING

BUILDLab
Afterschool Program

A free 10-week program where grades 5–8 learn Scratch, progress to Python, and build real robots—hands-on, team-based, and seriously fun.

What is BUILDLab?

Build, Code, & Create

BUILDLab is Newburgh Creates’ and OpenHUB Project’s free after-school program for grades 5–8. Over ten consecutive Wednesdays, students dive into coding and robotics—starting with Scratch fundamentals and advancing to Python and robot building. Along the way, they practice design thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving while bringing ideas to life.

PROGRAM DATES: OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 10, 2025

Purple icon of a woman with two children, one on each side, holding their hands.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan’s Fund for Women and Children, BUILDLab is free for all participants.

At-a-Glance

  • Who: Students in grades 5–8 (no experience required)

  • When: Wednesdays, 4:30–6:00 PM
    (10 consecutive weeks)

  • Where: Newburgh Creates —
    10 Carpenter Ave, Newburgh, NY

  • Cost: Free, supported by the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan Women’s Fund

  • Spots: Limited—early registration recommended

  • Scratch (Weeks 1–5): Core coding concepts, animations, games, and interactive stories.

  • Python (Weeks 6–10): Variables, logic, loops—and applying code to real hardware.

  • Robotics: Build and program robots to complete challenges with sensors and motion control.

  • Team Skills: Collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving.

What Students Learn

The Journey

  • Week 1: Intro to Scratch & Coding Basics

  • Week 2: Scratch Projects—Animations & Games

  • Week 3: Scratch Projects—Interactive Stories

  • Week 4: Scratch Challenge—Logic & Debugging

  • Week 5: Scratch Team Challenge & Mini-Showcase

  • Week 6: Python Fundamentals + Robotics Basics

  • Week 7: Robot Build—Motion & Control

  • Week 8: Sensors, Logic, and Python on Hardware

  • Week 9: Team Challenge—Integrate Code & Robot

  • Week 10: Final Showcase & Celebration

A group of six young students, three girls and three boys, working on laptops and electronics projects around a large table in a classroom or workshop setting.

Save Your Seat

Enrollment is first-come, first-served. Register online to secure your spot.