Firewheel STEM Institute

Firewheel STEM Institute offers activities that include the FIRST LEGO League Tournament Firewheel Microchip Qualifing Tournament, FIRST Tech Challenge Team Binary Bots, FIRST Robotics Competition Team Degrees of Freedom, and the Robonation Robosub Team Desert WAVE. It also offers the National Underwater Robotics Challenge, Jeep Hack, Mobile STEM Center STEAM Engine!, Acrylic Lamp, Arduino Jukebox, Arduino Line Following Car, an Astronomy Program, and Rocketry.

Programs

• FIRST Tech Challenge Team Binary Bots — middle and high school students · Student-focused robotics team where students design, build, and program competition robots while developing technical, leadership, and project-management skills.
• FIRST Robotics Competition Team Degrees of Freedom — high school students · Student-focused robotics team where students design, build, and program industrial-scale robots and take on engineering, strategy, project management, and outreach roles.
• Robonation Robosub Team Desert WAVE — Student-focused autonomous underwater vehicle team where students design, build, and program fully autonomous underwater robots.
• FIRST LEGO League Tournament Firewheel Microchip Qualifing Tournament — ages 4-16 · A FIRST LEGO League Robotics qualifying tournament that introduces students to engineering and teamwork through LEGO-based robotics.
• National Underwater Robotics Challenge (NURC) — middle school, high school, and collegiate teams · A hands-on engineering competition where teams design, build, and operate underwater robots.
• Jeep Hack — Annual event where students collaborate with engineers and volunteers to modify ride-on Jeeps for children with lower-extremity mobility challenges.
• Mobile STEM Center STEAM Engine! — Mobile STEM center that provides students with an experience using portable manufacturing equipment.
• Acrylic Lamp
• Arduino Jukebox
• Arduino Line Following Car
• Astronomy Program
• Rocketry

At a glance

• Ages: 4–16 years old
• General schedule: The current plan is to hold one session per month.

About the provider

Firewheel STEM Institute says its mission is to bridge the STEM divide by providing hands-on, experiential learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to underserved youth across the region. Its community involvement includes supporting Arizona robotics teams and community members with access to tools and spaces at the STEM Center, hosting the FIRST LEGO League qualifying tournament with Microchip Technology, founding and operating the National Underwater Robotics Challenge (NURC), and hosting an annual Jeep Hack.

Any school or organization can pay for the service or apply for a grant through Firewheel STEM Institute to cover the costs. Estimated cost per day is $2000 to $3000 depending on location and program. There are grants available for groups that can't afford the fee.

Last updated November 4, 2026.