Maine Robotics

👾 The adventure has begun! 👾

Monday, June 22nd marked our first day of Camp Season 2026. We're running LEGO Robotics, Build Your Own Computer, and Programming in Minecraft to kick us off.

Many camps still have availability! Visit us at https://usm.maine.edu/stem-outreach/stem-camps/ for more information and a link to registration.

“Change is the essential process of all existence.” Mr. Spock, Star Trek (the original series), “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” , S3E15

We are experiencing great change today, for someone who changed the lives of many people in Maine (and changed the landscape of extracurricular education here, too.)

Today, Tom Bickford retires. His retirement is preceded by 26+ years of service to STEM education. These 26 years were full of firsts: in the literal sense of language, with years in the FIRST LEGO League, but also in the sense of groundbreaking. We were the first LEGO Robotics camps in Maine. We pioneered several first-of-their-kind educational camps, including Programming in Minecraft, Build Your Own Computer, and LEGO Builders. Tom also founded school-year competitions, Robot Track Meets (and the Robot Track Meet Association) and the Maine STEM Film Challenge. Since our last data collection in 2025, Tom’s efforts have reached over 26,000 Maine residents.

While this is an incredibly bittersweet occasion, this is also an occasion for much celebration. As the sun sets on a monumental career, the sun will continue to rise every day on a legacy that will last lifetimes.

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are for everyone. Our differences make us stronger, together. No matter your walk of life, you are welcome in our community, and we are proud to have you in it.

To learn more about some of the most prominant LGBTQIA+ figures in STEM history, enjoy this excellent article by the Liverpool Museum: https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/lgbtq-people-stem

Cool stuff happening for the whole family this June at the Southworth Planetarium!

Meet Astrophysics in Minecraft!
*Don’t forget! Use FILLUP50 for $50 off of any registration*

You don’t have to leave Earth to explore the science behind films like Interstellar or The Martian– you don’t even have to leave Maine!
In Astrophysics in Minecraft, campers ages 10-14 will simulate astrophysical conditions in one of the world’s most popular games for both recreation and classroom learning. With command-line tools, campers will make observations and collect data about different stellar bodies: gravity, temperature, atmosphere, oxygen level, and more. While travelling through the Multiverse to other worlds using simple in-game commands, they will record, analyze, and compare their findings to discuss scenarios like habitability and possibilities of terraforming. No experience required!

Astrophysics in Minecraft has availability in:
-Augusta: July 6th-10th
-Lewiston: July 13th-17th and
-Gorham: July 27th-31st

Meet Programming in Minecraft!
*Don't forget! Use code FILLUP50 for $50 off of any registration!*

Learn the fundamentals of computer programming in one of the most popular games (for both recreation and classroom education) in the world: Minecraft!
Campers ages 10-14 will explore coding with the block-based coding language Lua, interacting with in-game worlds to create custom content and modifications (that will work on any PC version of Minecraft after camp). Our experienced and passionate leadership will mentor campers to be confident in their coding skills, not only to explore everything Minecraft has to offer, but so they can use the skills acquired in camp to embark on future coding and programming adventures! No experience necessary.
Programming in Minecraft has availability in Portland, July 27th-31st.
For a link to registration and more information, visit us: https://usm.maine.edu/stem-outreach/stem-camps/

Meet Our Camps: Ecology!

Campers ages 9-12 (no experience necessary) will discover and explore the natural world that exists within the five local ecosystems that make up Maine's ecology. Through field trips and activities, campers will learn how living and non-living things make up habitats including forests, freshwater, coastal, peat wetlands, and open fields. Connecting with nature in the communities they live in will help their understanding of ecosystem ecology. Perfect for plant and/or animal lovers who enjoy playing outside!

Ecology is a one-week Gorham campus exclusive camp for 2026, and will be offered from 6/29-7/3.

Don't forget to use code FILLUP50 for $50 off of registration!
For a link to registration, visit uis: https://usm.maine.edu/stem-outreach/stem-camps/

Meet Our Camps: 3D Printing & Design

Campers ages 12-16 (no experience necessary) will start their 3D printing journey with building their printer straight from the box. Over the week, they will explore the entire fabrication process using 3D printing technology: learning to 3D model in software such as SketchUp or TinkerCAD; learning how to design and optimize their own prints; maintenance of their printer; and troubleshooting printing and designing errors. At the end of the week, campers take home their printer, 3D filament, and their in-camp prints to keep on creating! As with all of our camps, campers will receive mentorship from our experienced and passionate staff while building their academic and social skills.

3D Printing & Design has availability in:
- Portland: 6/20-7/3; 7/6-10; and 7/27-31
- Orono: 7/27-31
For more information and a link to registration, visit us: https://usm.maine.edu/stem-outreach/stem-camps/
Don’t forget to use coupon FILLUP50 at checkout for $50 your reservation. Multi-week and multi-sibling discounts are automatic.

DON'T FORGET: Use coupon code FILLUP50 for $50 off at registration! Meet Our Camps: LEGO Robotics!
We have two LEGO Robotics camps to fulfill the needs of LEGO Roboteers at different experience levels!

LEGO Robotics (ages 9-11, no experience needed), for beginners & intermediates, introduces campers to the world of robotics through the accessible and beloved medium of LEGO. Through building and modifying their robots to complete missions that will help them become independent STEAM-thinkers.
Campers will explore concepts in physics, engineering, robotics, and coding. They will develop their teamwork skills, problem-solving skills, and academic resilience. To quote one of our LEGO Robotics leaders for over 15 years, our campers learn to “fail better” by learning the Engineering Design Process to adapt to changes as part of the troubleshooting and problem solving processes.

For LEGO Roboteers with experience, we are offering Advanced LEGO Robotics (for ages 11-15, with prior experience required). Campers will review the LEGO Robotics programming software before embarking on projects of their choice, under the mentorship of our experienced and passionate instructors and counselors. They will expand their skills in building robots and programming them to fulfill tasks of their own choosing (examples in the past include sorting machines, cranes with controllers, and even paper towel dispensers!)

Advanced LEGO Robotics has availability in Portland, from 7/13-7/17
LEGO Robotics has availability in:
- Gorham: 6/22-26; 6/29-7/3
- Portland: 6/22-26; 6/29-73; 7/13-17; 7/20-24; 7/27-31; and 8/3-8/7
- Lewiston: 7/20-24
- Augusta: 6/29-7/3; 7/6-10; and 7/13-17
- Camden: 7/27-31 and 8/3-7
- Orono: 7/13-17; 7/20-24; and 8/3-7
- Brunswick: 7/27-31
- Farmington: 8/3-7

Visit us for more information and a link to registration: https://usm.maine.edu/stem-outreach/stem-camps/

The countdown is ON!

We are just one day away from our first week of camps (June 22, 2026.)

Don't worry, there's still plenty of time to register for camps. Use the code FILLUP50 at check out to save $50.
Follow the link at the top of the page to register: https://usm.maine.edu/stem-outreach/stem-camps/