An AFRL Innovation Institute
The Doolittle Institute proudly manages the FIRST® LEGO® League (Discover, Explore, and Challenge) programs and the FIRST® Tech Challenge AeroCoast league for the Northwest Florida Region. These programs, competitions, and festivals prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s STEM workforce.
Our STEM outreach programs aim to inspire interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics among students while utilizing members of the STEM community in our area – particularly the Air Force Research Lab. These initiatives provide hands-on learning experiences, showcase exciting career opportunities in our area, and highlight the importance of STEM in our rapidly advancing world. At Doolittle Institute, we aim to empower the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators, fostering a love for learning and a brighter future for all in Northwest Florida.
We target students in grades K-12 from Escambia County in the west to Jefferson County in the east, especially in the areas of:
In addition to our FIRST programs, some of our additional programs include:
Space Raiders is a program created for fifth grade students to promote excitement in the engineering design process involved in space exploration. Students meet at their school once a month and complete a hands-on activity focusing on one aspect of the space industry. The program culminates in a trip to Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Some of the lessons have included Plants in Space, Spacesuit Design, and Rocketry.
Science in Action is a series of hands-on science lessons prepared for students from grades K-12 reinforcing science concepts being taught in the classroom. Doolittle Institute works with educators to meet the specific needs of their students and can be differentiated for various grades and ability levels. Lessons prepared have included simple states of matter lessons for kindergarteners, properties of rocks and minerals for 4th-5th grade students, and forces lessons using straw rocket launchers in middle school. Lessons have occurred both at Doolittle Institutes and individual schools.
Doolittle Institute has taken hands-on STEM activities to the annual Pensacola Makers Faire, Military Family Day associated with Eglin AFB, STEM nights at schools, STEM Day at the Capital in Tallahassee, and other community events put on throughout our area. We have also assisted in Girl Scouts Gold Award projects as well as Eagle Scout Projects.
If you are interested in volunteering or have a need, please contact us.
FIRST® Tech Challenge students work together with their mentors to design and build robots to compete in a dynamic and exciting challenge released every September. Teams program classroom-scale robots to follow autonomous commands before student drivers take control in two-on-two matches. On and off the field, students develop STEM skills, engage in community outreach, practice engineering innovation, and build confidence to help them succeed. 7-12th Ages 12-18.
FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16* through fun, exciting hands-on learning.
FIRST LEGO League Explore – Grades 2-4:
In Explore, teams of students ages 6-10 focus on the fundamentals of engineering as they explore real-world problems, learn to design and code and create unique solutions made with LEGO bricks and powered by a LEGO Education robot.
FIRST LEGO League Challenge – Grades 4-8:
Friendly competition is at the heart of Challenge, as teams of students ages 9-16* engage in research, problem-solving, coding and engineering – building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. As part of Challenge, teams also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem.
FIRST Tech Challenge teams (up to 15 team members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.
This website represents the work performed by the Doolittle Institute to support and strengthen the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate.
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