Columbia Educational Robotics Foundation (CERF)

All funds raised through CoMo Gives 2024 will be used to outfit our new space, suite 122 Parkade Plaza, with tool storage, tools, 3D printers and fabrication materials.  In September we partnered with MACC, MU, and CPS to lease this 2000 sq. ft. space. Students and volunteer mentors planned and began renovations. We still have a lot to do!

Planning out the space  Demolition day Floor painting  Moving in the shop tools

Columbia Educational Robotics Foundation (CERF) is the local booster organization for K-12 FIRST® competitive robotics programs.  Our mission is to support mentor-based youth robotics programs that inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

This new meeting space space will including a full fabrication shop for high school teams.  RBHS, HHS and BHS FIRST®  Tech Challenge teams currently have no dedicated shop space for building robots. This space will give them a place to hold meetings, build and test robots and collaborate with peers. 

For younger students, we will have meeting space for FIRST® LEGO League teams, grades 2 - 8, and offer workshops and camps when school is out.

Educational robotics is high-impact, high-engagement, hands-on learning that prepares students for STEM careers. High tech learning requires high tech tools and equipment. It's expensive. A LEGO Education robotics kit is a small, powerful computer wrapped in a familiar building system. It's not a toy; it's a top of the line learning tool for future engineers. The high school robotics program uses real world industrial materials, parts, and fabrication tools. 

Competitive robotics is "Sport for the Mind." Through failure, iteration, success and celebration, we use robots to build amazing young problem solvers. Please donate to help us create future leaders.

Find out more about CERF at www.columbiarobotics.org