Go behind the scenes of the Minnesota Transportation Museum to hear the history of trains in our state. Get a tour of the restoration projects, take a spin on the turntable and do a hands on train themed activity.

Begin by building robotic beasts and monster machines such as a Robo-Dog, Mega-Gorilla, Insectoid Bot and the Scorpion Warrior. Once your robots are built, dive into programming to make them move, attack or even think on their own. This hands-on camp is both fun and educational, teaching the foundations of building, coding, and problem solving through robotics. Working in teams, students will then be challenged to modify and re-engineer their robots to become better, stronger, and faster. Every day brings new opportunities to create, experiment, and compete.

Get ready for new builds and challenges! Take your engineering skills to the next level by constructing remote-controlled robots inspired by the popular Discovery Channel show, BattleBots. Using LEGO® Robotics systems and specialized Technic™ engineering components, they’ll build extreme machines designed for competition. Working in small teams of two to three, you will test, re-engineer, and morph your robots to become better, stronger, and faster before entering them into a high-energy tournament on the final day. (Please note: LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this program.)

Think like an engineer and create a robot! Team up to build a motorized model while diving into tthe basics of science, design, and engineering. What is FIRST Tech Challenge? Students collaborate to build and program robots that compete on a 12' x 12' field. Each year brings a new challenge designed to develop critical thinking and expand knowledge of the engineering design process. Students learn valuable skills by working in a team. Setting and achieving goals and being accountable to themselves and their team members. FIRST® Tech Challenge is an international program with over 3,000 teams globally. Students gain hands-on experience with real engineering tools and processes. What Teams Do Robot Season (September - January): Meet 2-3 times per week designing, building and programming robots Document work in an engineering notebook - tracking design iterations, programming changes and team goals and objectives. Prepare for tournaments from September through January Community Outreach: Teams connect with their local engineering community through activities like: Meeting other robotics teams in the area Recruiting students to join the team Contacting local businesses for fundraising Demonstrating robots at Minnetonka Robot Day Visits with STEM professionals Volunteering Minnetonka FTC Details What's Included: All robot materials (Robot kit, control systems, sensors, game elements) Tournament registrations and fees FIRST Tech Challenge t-shirt for each participant Coaching materials, training and ongoing support Meeting Schedule: Team meeting times will be set based on coaches' and participants' availability once teams are formed. Minnetonka Middle School West FTC Details What's Included: All robot materials (Robot kit, control systems, sensors, game elements) Tournament registrations and fees FIRST Tech Challenge t-shirt for each participant Coaching materials, training and ongoing support Meeting Schedule: Team meeting times will be on Mondays at the start of the season and adding Thursdays midway through. To Know: If you are apart of a blended team (other schools), please sign up for our general FTC registration. The MMW team is meant for MMW students only. Season Timeline Challenge Release & Kickoff: Early September at TBD location Registration Deadline: Friday, September 4th Team Assignments: Tuesday, September 8th Regional Competitions: September - January State Tournament (must qualify): February Exact tournament dates will be announced by FIRST Minnesota Parent Involvement Required This program requires active parent participation. We depend on families to make our teams successful through: Coaching and mentoring students during meetings Supervising team activities Providing snacks and refreshments for meetings Transportation to tournaments and events Tournament support as volunteers and spectators Ready to Get Involved? This team-based program develops leadership, teamwork and technical skills while building excitement around science and technology. Parents: Please indicate your interest in coaching on the registration form. We'll provide everything you need to succeed, including training and ongoing support. Visit the FIRST website for complete program details.

Have you ever wanted to design your own robot? Now you can! Work with a team to build, test and program a robot using LEGOs to solve missions and problems. **PLEASE NOTE: Practice times/days will be determined by the volunteer coach & team members at the start of the season.** What is FIRST® LEGO® League? FIRST® LEGO® League is an international LEGO® program in which children work in teams to design, build and program a robot to complete missions. FLL challenges kids to think like scientists and engineers. Teams will build, test and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. They will also choose and solve a real-world question in the Project. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL’s signature set of core values. For the FLL Basics see the link here: FLL Basics or check out this YouTube Video: What's FIRST® LEGO® League? Why Challenge? FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge in Minnesota (MN FLL Challenge) is part of a global robotics program that includes more than 480,000 kids in 110 countries. High Tech Kids, in partnership with FIRST®, has been bringing FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge to Minnesota since 1998. Teams collaborate to build and program an autonomous robot to score points on a thematic playing surface (the Robot Game) and create an innovative solution to a problem correlating to the yearly theme (the Innovation Project), all guided by the FIRST® Core Values. These elements make up what is called The Challenge. The theme of The Challenge changes every year and is based on a real-world scientific topic. Past challenges have included topics such as space, nanotechnology, biomedical, climate change, recycling and transportation. FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is a stepping stone to FIRST TECH Challenge. This program involves coding and robot construction. Quick Facts: Teams consist of 3-6 members. Teams meet 1-2 times each week Sept.-Dec. to work on their challenge. Teams will compete in a regional tournament in late November through early Dec. Team meeting dates and times will be set according to the coaches' and participants' schedules once teams are formed. All required materials (robot kit, software, field setup kit) and tournament registrations are included in the course fee. Each participant will receive a FIRST® LEGO® League t-shirt. Minnetonka FLL Season Outline: Global FLL Challenge Released: TBD Registration Deadline: Friday, September 4th Minnetonka Teams Released: Tuesday, September 8th Coaches Trainings: Linked Here FLL Regional Tournaments: Linked Here FLL Section Tournament (if advancing): Typically Mid-January FIRST LEGO® League FIRST LEGO® League Check out the FLL Blog! Parents: We need volunteer coaches. Please indicate your desire to coach on the registration form. We will provide you with all the materials you need, training, resources and support.

Think like an engineer and create with LEGOs! Team up to build a motorized model while exploring the basics of science, design and engineering. Your journey starts here—let’s build! **PLEASE NOTE: Practice times/days will be determined by the volunteer coach & team members at the start of the season.** What is FIRST® LEGO® League? FIRST® LEGO® League is an international LEGO® program in which children work in teams to design, build and program a robot to complete missions. FLL challenges kids to think like scientists and engineers. Teams will build, test and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. They will also choose and solve a real-world question in the Project. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL’s signature set of core values. For the FLL Basics see the link here: FLL Basics or check out this YouTube Video: What's FIRST® LEGO® League? Why Explore? FIRST® LEGO® League Explore in Minnesota (MN FLL Explore) is part of an international robotics program that includes teams from 13 countries. Designed for kids grades K-3, teams work together to discover how science and technology impact the world around them. Guided by adult coaches, teams work with LEGO® elements to build a motorized model and create a Show Me poster related to their research of a yearly theme. FIRST® LEGO® League Explore captures the interest of our youngest learners. Start your team today! FIRST® LEGO® League Explore is a stepping stone to FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge. Quick Facts: Teams consist of 3-6 members. Teams meet 1-2 times each week Sept.-Dec. to work on their challenge. Teams will compete in a regional tournament in late November through early Dec. Team meeting dates and times will be set according to the coaches' and participants' schedules once teams are formed. All required materials (robot kit, software, field setup kit) and tournament registrations are included in the course fee. Each participant will receive a FIRST® LEGO® League t-shirt. Minnetonka FLL Season Outline: Global FLL Challenge Released: TBD Registration Deadline: Friday, September 4th Minnetonka Teams Released: Tuesday, September 8th Coaches Trainings: Linked Here FLL Regional Tournaments: Linked Here FLL Section Tournament (if advancing): Typically Mid-January FIRST LEGO® League FIRST LEGO® League Check out the FLL Blog! Parents: We need volunteer coaches. Please indicate your desire to coach on the registration form. We will provide you with all the materials you need, training, resources and support.

Where creativity meets sparkle and STEM magic! Build cozy glamping forts, craft glowing wands, make lip gloss and mix sparkly slime. We’ll end the week with a fabulous pajama party and gourmet s’mores.

Create enchanting fairy garden lanterns that really light up! Using real dried flowers for decoration, design magical lanterns that any fairy would love. Perfect for adding a little glow and fairy magic to bedtime! Please pack a nut free snack and drink for your child.

Learn life-saving techniques to prevent, recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies in adults, children and infants. Ideal for new parents, grandparents, babysitters, caregivers and others interested in learning how to save a life. This class is intended for those who want to learn CPR, but don't need certification to meet job requirements.

Learn life-saving techniques to prevent, recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies in adults, children and infants. Ideal for new parents, grandparents, babysitters, caregivers and others interested in learning how to save a life. This class is intended for those who want to learn CPR, but don't need certification to meet job requirements.

Explore the fascinating world of gut health! Learn how food, lifestyle and probiotics support digestion, immunity and mood. Plus make your own probiotic-rich sauerkraut to take home! Learn practical ways to support digestion and a healthy microbiome. Explore how nutrient-rich, probiotic and prebiotic foods nourish your gut, along with the role of supplements like digestive enzymes and probiotics. Discover the gut-brain connection and its impact on mood, immunity and overall health, plus lifestyle practices like mindful eating.