Designed just for kids in grades K-1, Early Engineers is a hands-on, play based program that gives students a chance to explore STEM concepts and robotics through play, experimentation and problem solving. Our precursor to FIRST Lego League, Early Engineers is organized and led by mentors and our FIRST Tech Challenge students and is great fun for all!

In 2024-2025, our Early Engineers will investigate structures & supports, magnets, gears, balance, motion, and lots of robots and beginning coding! Meetings include 45 minutes of structured, hands-on learning time followed by 45 minutes of STEM play time where students have access to a variety of STEM toys and building sets chosen to get their creativity flowing.

We believe all young students can thrive in STEM, and we strongly encourage girls, students of color, students who are neuro-diverse, and students who are still learning English to join our teams. All are welcome, and no previous robotics or coding experience is necessary.

Space Availability Update: As of August 28, 2024 we do still have space available in Early Engineers for kindergarten girls. Please add your student to the wait list and we will notify you promptly if a space is available. Students are chosen off the wait list based on the grade and gender balances of the group, other siblings or parents enrolled with Broomfield STEM, and the length of time a student has been on the wait list. Wait lists do carry over from year to year, and we use them to gauge interest for future program planning.

Semester 1 Meeting Dates & Times

  • Friday, August 23, 2024 6:00-7:30 pm

  • Friday, September 27, 2024 6:00-7:30 pm

  • Friday, October 25, 2024 6:00-7:30 pm

  • Friday, November 22, 2024 6:00-7:30 pm

Semester 2 Meeting Dates & Times

  • Friday, January 24, 2025 6:00-7:30 pm

  • Friday, February 28, 2025 6:00-7:30 pm

  • Friday, March 28, 2025 6:00-7:30 pm

  • Friday, April 25, 2025 6:00-7:30 pm

  • End of Year Celebration Sunday May 4, 2025 3:00-5:00 pm

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - PLEASE READ

Where do you meet?

All meetings are held in the space above our workshop at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church - 1700 10th Avenue in Broomfield, Colorado. Holy Comforter is our generous host, but our team is not religiously oriented and people of all or no faith backgrounds are welcome.

How much does it cost to participate?

The cost per student is $50/semester, due June 1st and December 1st. Payment plans and scholarships are available upon request. We never want cost to be a barrier to participation.

Student Fees help cover part of the cost of team and competition registrations, field equipment, robots and equipment. The rest of the cost is paid for through individual donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships. Any help parents can provide finding these additional sources of funding is most appreciated! Please see the "Support Us" page for more information.

What are the attendance expectations for students?

We believe that consistency is an important part of learning and building strong team relationships. We ask that our Early Engineers attend regularly and participate fully. While we are flexible in attendance so that our members can prioritize their health, education and family, we ask that if your student and family cannot commit to attending at least 75% of the meetings, you discuss this with us prior to joining to the team.

Does my student have to participate in both semesters?

Our Early Engineers curriculum is a full year curriculum so we recommend that students participate in both semesters. If your student withdraws for a semester and wishes to rejoin, he or she may be placed back on the wait list until space becomes available again.

When can my student join?

Early Engineers are encouraged to join in the fall at the start of each school year. If space is available, we may make exceptions for mid-semester or mid-year starts on a case by case basis. Students on the waiting list will have priority.

Can parents be mentors?

Yes! We are currently recruiting more mentors as we expand the number of groups we support, and we welcome parents to be mentors. We ask all mentors, including parent mentors, to commit to attending all meetings, go through our application and screening process, and complete our trainings. Please refer to the mentor page for more information.

Meet the Mentors

  • Josie

    ASSISTANT MENTOR

    I am a hardware developer at IBM and mom of 5 kids, 3 of whom are a part of Broomfield STEM. I have served as volunteer coordinator for IBM Tucson and as a mentor in IBM Tucson's EXITE Camp, a program designed to engage middle school-aged girls in STEM. It's exciting to see people of all ages excited about STEM and I'm thrilled to be an Early Engineers mentor.

  • Megan

    LEAD EARLY ENGINEERS MENTOR

    Megan is a middle school robotics and science teacher. She loves creating wacky, fun challenges and working with younger students to get them excited about STEM.

  • Sarah

    Assistant Mentor

    I am currently a stay-at-home Mom with my awesome 3 kids, and worked many years as a speech-language pathologist in the public schools and at Children’s Hospital Colorado. I have a passion for helping kids learn and grow while also meeting them right where they are. In my free time I enjoy gardening, hiking, and spending time with friends!

  • Becky

    I have a M.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Northern Colorado and have had 2 careers in science. The first was 8 years as a research associate for a small biotech company doing anti-fungal research. The second is as a bioinformatician at the University of Colorado Anschutz medical school where I work with developmental biologists and help them analyze their RNA data. I've also been a Sunday school teacher for 4-7 year olds for over 10 years. I'm looking forward to combining my love of STEM with the fun of hanging out with young children again in the Early Engineers program. When I'm not working or volunteering I enjoy quilting, playing board games, reading and watching Star Trek with my husband, David.

  • Jamie

    ASSISTANT MENTOR

    Jamie has a background in Elementary Education, with focuses on English as a Second Language and Gifted and Talented Education. She has 20+ years of experience working with children and coordinating a variety of enrichment programs for students of all ages.

  • Karoline

    ASSISTANT MENTOR

    Karoline is a former middle school STEM teacher who now works in STEM curriculum development. She is the President of Broomfield STEM and enjoys spending time with our students of all ages.