Building for a Better World: Robotics Students Take on the Recycling Challenge

In the Forest Ridge Innovation Lab, creativity hums alongside circuits and code. For Jonathan Delgado, Digital Learning & Innovation Specialist, that energy is exactly what he hoped to see when he designed the Recycling Robot Challenge, the first project in his Robo Challenge Studio course for 7th and 8th graders.

The goal was simple in theory, but ambitious in practice: build a robot that can identify, sort, and move recyclable materials. Using VEX IQ robotics kits, students learned to engineer, program, and refine machines that could take on this real-world task, all while exploring how technology can be used for good.

“This project introduced students to engineering design, computational thinking, and sustainability through the lens of robotics innovation,” Mr. Delgado explains. “It wasn’t just about making something move, it was about understanding how purposeful design can make a positive impact.”

As the unit progressed, the classroom became a hub of experimentation. Teams drafted blueprints, built prototypes, and iterated constantly by adjusting gears, recalibrating sensors, and rewriting lines of code until their robots performed just right.

The highlight of the unit came during final testing and presentation day, when each team demonstrated their robot to the class.

“Students were cheering each other on, offering thoughtful feedback, and celebrating every successful test,” Delgado recalls. “The way they supported and encouraged one another truly reflected the collaborative spirit of Forest Ridge.”

That spirit of community and curiosity went hand-in-hand with resilience. Robotics, as students quickly discovered, requires precision and patience.

“Balancing creativity with technical accuracy was the hardest part,” says Delgado. “Even the smallest design misalignment could throw off an entire build. But watching them persist and problem-solve through those setbacks was where the real learning happened.”

Through it all, students embodied the school’s Portrait of a Graduate attributes (Innovative Problem Solvers and Agile Thinkers) while living out the Forest Ridge mission to think critically, embrace challenges, and lead with confidence and courage.

“This project showed them that technology can be both creative and compassionate,” Delgado reflects. “When students realize their ideas can make a difference, even through something as simple as a robot that sorts recycling, they begin to see themselves as changemakers.”

Launching the Innovation Lab this year has been a milestone for Delgado and the school community. Beyond robotics, the space has already become a hub for interdisciplinary exploration.

“I’ve partnered with teachers on projects using 3D printers, laser cutters, VR, and 3D pens,” he shares. “It’s been exciting to see how both students and faculty are using these tools to think boldly and create with purpose.”

With the success of the Recycling Robot Challenge, the Innovation Lab is poised to become a cornerstone of the Forest Ridge experience, one where curiosity, courage, and creativity come together to shape a better, more sustainable world.