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Robots & Coding Academy

For Individuals And Families

Ages 7 to Adult   •   Tuesday through Friday  •   5:00 to 7:30 PM
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Young people in Southeast Michigan are capable of extraordinary things when they have the chance to work with their hands, collaborate with peers, and see their ideas turn into something real. At ckingknowledge Institute, we created the Robots and Coding Academy so students can walk into a space that believes in them. A place where they can try something new, tinker without pressure, and discover strengths they may not see in school.


Robotics and coding are the tools we use, but the heart of the program is what it does for the student. They learn to solve problems step by step. They learn how to communicate with teammates. They experience what happens when persistence pays off. Every session is designed to help them feel capable, grounded, and proud of what they built.
 

No experience is needed. Just curiosity, willingness, and a community that has their back.

What Students Experience

Many families tell me the same things. Kids spend more time on screens than talking to each other. School feels less engaging than it used to. Some students hesitate to try new things or stick with a challenge when it gets tough.


In this academy, students get the space and support to practice:

  • Working through a problem one step at a time

  • Communicating naturally with teammates

  • Staying engaged because the work feels meaningful

  • Making visible progress they can point to and say, “I built that”

 

Exploring creativity in an environment shaped by our Afrofuturism art gallery.  Families appreciate programs with structure, purpose, and heart. That is exactly what we offer.

A Space That Helps Kids Feel Comfortable and Confident

All sessions take place in a beautiful Afrofuturism art gallery filled with color, imagination, and cultural pride. Soft funk, soul, and jazz create an atmosphere that feels welcoming for students from Southfield, Detroit, Oak Park, Royal Oak, Ferndale, and surrounding communities.


Students often tell me that this is the first learning environment where they feel calm, creative, and free to try things without worrying about getting everything right on the first attempt.

Membership Options

Choose the option that fits your family, your schedule, and your child’s goals.

TIER 1: Entry Passes

One Day Explorer Pass – $25.50

A single visit that gives students a hands-on introduction to engineering.
Includes:

  • Beginner robot building and a guided field challenge

  • A simple introduction to coding

  • Time in the Afrofuturism gallery

  • Encouraging, team-based activities

  •  A $25 credit toward any membership

How this helps:

Students who are unsure about robotics or hesitant to try new things get a low-pressure chance to explore, meet the coaches, and feel out the environment. They walk away knowing, “I can do this,” which makes any next step feel easier.

Three Day Discovery Pass – $60

Three visits within 14 days for students who need more time to warm up or settle in.
Includes:

  • Beginner and intermediate robot kits

  • A simple engineering notebook

  • Introduction to the engineering design cycle

  • A $35 credit toward any membership

How this helps:

Repeating the experience over several days builds comfort and confidence. Students begin to see progress in their skills, understand the rhythm of the space, and often start connecting with peers. This pass helps families decide which membership will truly support their child’s growth.

TIER 2: Skill Building Memberships

Once a Week Builder Class – $79 per month

A steady, structured weekly session that develops core skills.
Includes:

  • Fundamental robot building and coding

  • Communication and teamwork activities

  • Problem solving using the engineering cycle

  • Badge and certificate progress tracking

How this helps:

Consistent weekly practice strengthens focus, follow through, and communication. Students start developing real habits around effort, collaboration, and finishing what they start. Badges give them a sense of accomplishment they can see and talk about at home.

Builder Plus – $99 per month

Everything in the Builder Class plus expanded opportunities for practice.
Includes:

  • One additional drop-in session each month

  • Priority class registration

  • Monthly Challenge Night

  • Faster badge progress

  • Skill recognition suitable for résumés and student portfolios

How this helps:

Students who want more time to build and explore get the extra room they need to grow. The additional sessions deepen confidence and competence, while Challenge Nights help them learn how to communicate ideas under friendly pressure. Progress tracking also helps older students build early résumé content they can be proud of.

TIER 3: Unlimited Practice and Exploration

Unlimited Drop-In Practice – $149 per month

Open engineering time Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 to 7:30.
Includes:

  • Unlimited supervised building and coding

  • Access to all robot kits

  • Competition-style field challenges

  • Monthly mini competitions

  • Monthly Bring a Friend pass

  • Optional Entrepreneur Study Groups on Wednesday and Thursday evenings

How this helps:

This tier supports kids who learn best by diving in, experimenting, and staying hands-on for longer stretches. They get the freedom to explore at their own pace and the structure of staff guidance when they need it. Students often develop stronger persistence, deeper technical skill, and the confidence that comes from figuring things out independently.

TIER 4: Elite Competition Team

Competition Team – $219 per month

Advanced robotics training and leadership development.
Includes:

  • Two to three practices per week

  • A dedicated competition coach

  • Advanced kits and strategy development

  • Team presentation coaching

  • Unlimited Drop-In access

  • Team jersey and badge lanyard

  • All Challenge Nights

  • Optional Entrepreneur Study Groups

How this helps:

Students learn how to work under pressure, communicate clearly, plan strategy with teammates, and take ownership of a long-term project. These are the same skills that translate into leadership roles in school, future jobs, and community involvement. Students also gain a sense of belonging as part of a committed team working toward shared goals.

⭐ OPTIONAL TAKE-HOME ROBOT KITS

  • $550 — Classroom Kit

  • $770 — Competition Kit
    (All robot kits remain at the institute unless purchased.)

  • $400 — Rolling Storage Totes For Robot Kit

CERTIFICATION PATH

🎖️ LEVEL 1 — Rookie Engineer (White Badge)

Foundation skills in building, coding, teamwork, and communication.

🎖️ LEVEL 2 — Technician (Yellow Badge)

Intermediate sensors, debugging, and engineering notebook basics.

🎖️ LEVEL 3 — Programmer (Green Badge)

Loops, logic, multi-step programs, timed field missions, team collaboration.

🎖️ LEVEL 4 — Engineer (Blue Badge)

Advanced challenges, multi-sensor builds, leadership in group tasks, design presentations.

🎖️ LEVEL 5 — Lead Engineer (Red Badge)

Unlocks eligibility for Business Apprentice Jobs
Skills include:

  • Advanced engineering notebooks

  • Team leadership

  • Independent robot design and coding

  • Field strategy creation

  • Community soft-skills mastery

🎖️ LEVEL 6 — Competition Champion (Black Badge)

For competition team members who demonstrate mastery in:

  • High-level coding

  • Strategy & teamwork

  • Professional communication

  • Sportsmanship

  • Full project ownership

Register then Buy

$25.50 — One-Day Explorer Pass​

$60 — Three-Day Discovery Pass​

$79/mo — Once-a-Week Builder Class

$99/mo — Builder Plus (Weekly Class + 1 Drop-In)

$149/mo — Unlimited Drop-In Practice

$219/mo — Robotics Competition Team

Our mission is to produce versatile engineers who advance humanity

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