Free Forest Hills Youth Robotics Program Gets Boost From Local Pol

QUEENS, NY — Queens middle schoolers can soon learn robotics for free from a competitive Forest Hills team.

Gearmasters, a Forest Hills-based robotics team that's advanced to an international robotics competition several times, is offering a free, youth robotics program in August with sponsorship from local State Senator Joseph Addabbo.

The course, which will take place bi-weekly for two weeks on Zoom, is called the STEAM2Youth program, and — as its name suggests — is aimed at engaging Queens middle school students in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

Through this programming, Gearmasters hopes to promote gender and income equity in STEAM fields, which historically underrepresent women and people of color.

"As we continue to live in a more and more technologically advanced world, it is imperative that our youth are engaged in the sciences," Addabbo said.

To participate in the program parents and guardians must register students online and commit to accompanying students to the virtual meetings.

While the program is being held on Zoom, supplies will be provided by Gearmasters for pickup at Addabbo's Middle Village office, located at 6-85 73rd Place. Common household items should suffice for the program, organizers said.

A limited number of 20 spots are available for the STEAM2Youth program, so organizers recommend signing up quickly.

Sign up, and get more information about the program, here.