Robotics
Build. Code. Test. Try Again.
At Bancroft, robotics is hands-on learning in motion, and the skills behind it begin long before students join a team.
Students design, build, program, troubleshoot, compete, and revise. They learn how to work through a problem when the first idea does not work, how to collaborate under pressure, and how to turn curiosity into something that moves.
From Lower School Design Lab and coding experiences to the new Middle School Robopups and Upper School Robodogs, students have opportunities to build on what they learn year after year.
From Design Lab to Competition Field
Robotics at Bancroft starts with the way students learn.
In Lower School, students spend time in the Design Lab, where they imagine, build, test, and revise. Beginning in Grade 2, every student has the chance to learn to code, building skills they can keep developing year after year.
By the time students reach Middle School, Robopups becomes a natural next step: a place to bring those early design and coding experiences into robotics, teamwork, and competition.
For students who want to keep going, the Upper School Robodogs offer the chance to build more complex machines, compete through VEX Robotics, and lead as part of a team.
New for 2026–2027: Meet the Robopups!
The Robodogs have company. Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year, Middle School students can join
the Robopups, a new robotics opportunity for younger builders, coders, problem-solvers, and future Upper School Robodogs.
Students learn the basics of building, coding, teamwork, and competition while developing the confidence to try, adjust, and keep going.
The Robodogs
In Upper School, the Robodogs take robotics to the next level. Students design, build, and program robots for VEX Robotics competitions, bringing together engineering, coding, strategy, and teamwork.
The Robodogs also host the annual VEX Robotics tournament on Bancroft’s campus, welcoming teams from across the region and giving students the chance to lead, compete, and share their work with a larger robotics community.
Built to Compete
The Robodogs have earned six straight appearances at VEX World Championship competitions, 28 tournament titles, and 10 VEX Excellence Awards.
Those achievements matter, but they are not the whole story. The real work happens before competition day: in the building, coding, testing, revising, and teamwork that help students keep improving.
What Students Build
Robotics brings together design, technology, problem-solving, and collaboration. Students learn to design with purpose, write and test code, think strategically during competition, learn from mistakes, and communicate clearly with teammates.
Students see how ideas become stronger through testing, feedback, revision, and teamwork.
Led by Experience
Bancroft’s robotics program is led by Elisa Heinricher, Upper School Computer Science Teacher and VEX Robotics Coach. Under her guidance, students learn technical skills, competition strategy, and the habits that make strong teams work: preparation, persistence, communication, and trust.
Ready to Build?
Robotics at Bancroft starts with a question: What can we make?
From there, students build, code, test, try again, and discover what is possible.
Visit. Ask Questions. Explore What's Possible.
We think one of the best ways to. get to know us is to ask questions. Have a question for our Robotics Coach? Let us know!