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Middle school and high school students from the Academy of Excellence STEAM Center for Youth, the largest youth robotics club in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region, recently visited the University of Maryland to tour leading robotics and engineering research facilities.
Hosted by the Maryland Robotics Center, a unit of the Institute for Systems Research, the visit introduced students to real-world research in robotics, autonomy and advanced manufacturing. The group toured the Brin Family Aerial Robotics Laboratory, the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility, the Robotics and Autonomy Laboratory, and the university’s 3D printing lab.
Throughout the tour, students engaged with faculty and student researchers to learn about the state-of-the-art tools and technologies used to explore robotic autonomy, underwater navigation, aerial systems and digital fabrication. In the Robotics and Autonomy Lab, the students also took part in a friendly cup-stacking competition using small remote-controlled robots.
 The Academy of Excellence is an educational nonprofit focused on growing the next generation of STEM leaders through mentorship, skill development and access to emerging technologies.
“Experiences like this help young students see themselves in these spaces,” said Gabrielle Madison, education coordinator for the Maryland Robotics Center. “It’s about more than just robots. It’s about showing them what’s possible when they pursue their ideas.”
The visit reflects the Institute for Systems Research’s commitment to K–12 STEM outreach and inclusive education. By opening its labs to local youth programs, ISR helps nurture early interest in robotics, systems engineering and research-driven innovation.
Learn more about the Maryland Robotics Center at robotics.umd.edu.
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October 27, 2025
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