FREE RC / Autonomous Vehicles, Drones & Model Aircraft Engineering

First Step Innovate is a hands-on, project-based engineering programme delivered by First Step Robotics and supported by Young Start funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

First Step Innovate will run through to 2028, with activities organised into four-week programme blocks. Each block will provide opportunities for young people to explore engineering interests, research ideas and develop team projects.

Over the two-year programme, young people will have opportunities to explore the engineering behind remote-controlled (RC) cars, autonomous ground vehicles, racing drones and RC planes through projects involving mechanical engineering, electronics, robotics, coding, navigation and control systems.

Venue Details

Strathbrock Community Centre
189A West Main Street
Broxburn
EH52 5LH

Venue entrance: Entrance B

View map and directions

Every Friday
3:00pm – 4:30pm

Young People Lead the Way

This is not a traditional classroom-based course or toy-based play activity. Young people take the lead in their learning, research and project development, with mentors providing guidance, advice and technical support when needed.

Participants work collaboratively to investigate engineering challenges, research solutions, develop ideas, test designs and improve their projects. They will also be encouraged to carry out additional research and project development at home between sessions.

The programme aims to develop independence, problem-solving, teamwork, creativity and practical engineering skills through real-world challenges.

Project Areas

Explore four exciting areas of engineering, from high-performance RC cars to autonomous vehicles, racing drones and model aircraft.

1. RC Car Engineering

Discover the mechanics, electronics and programming behind remote-controlled cars. Explore motors, gearing, differentials, steering, suspension and traction, and investigate how these affect vehicle performance.

Potential project activities include:

• Understanding motors, gears, wheels and drivetrains.
• Investigating steering, suspension and vehicle handling.
• Designing and modifying chassis and mechanical components.
• Exploring motor controllers, batteries and electronic systems.
• Testing vehicle performance and developing improvements.
• Designing and building custom RC vehicles.

2. Autonomous Ground Vehicle Engineering

Explore how to design and build ground vehicles capable of carrying out tasks with limited or no direct human control. Investigate sensors, motors, microcontrollers and programming to develop vehicles that can detect obstacles, follow routes and respond to their surroundings.

Potential project areas include:

GPS waypoint navigation
Explore how vehicles can navigate between selected geographical coordinates.

Geo-fencing
Investigate virtual boundaries that define where a vehicle is permitted to operate.

Automated mission planning
Develop sequences of tasks and navigation instructions for autonomous vehicles.

Obstacle avoidance
Use sensors and programming to detect obstacles and respond appropriately.

Additional engineering challenges:

• Designing and building autonomous ground vehicle platforms.
• Programming microcontrollers and integrating sensors.
• Exploring GPS, navigation and control systems.
• Testing autonomous behaviours in controlled environments.
• Developing and evaluating solutions as a team.

3. Drone Racing & Flight Technology

Explore the technology behind racing drones, including flight principles, electronics, cameras and control systems. Investigate drone components, maintenance and safe operation, with potential activities involving flight simulators, practical flying experiences, assembly and design challenges.

Potential project activities include:

• Understanding drone frames, motors, propellers and flight controllers.
• Exploring electronics, batteries and power systems.
• Learning about flight stabilisation and control systems.
• Using simulators to practise drone racing and flight skills.
• Investigating FPV technology and camera systems.
• Participating in suitable supervised flying and engineering challenges.

4. RC Plane & Model Aircraft Engineering

Discover how remote-controlled aircraft fly and how their components work together. Explore aerodynamics, lift, thrust, control surfaces, motors and battery systems.

Potential project activities include:

• Exploring the principles of flight and aerodynamics.
• Understanding wings, propellers and aircraft control surfaces.
• Investigating motors, batteries and electronic speed controllers.
• Designing and assembling model aircraft.
• Using flight simulators to practise piloting skills.
• Participating in suitable supervised flying experiences.

Important: Registration and Selection

Registration does not guarantee a place. Places are limited and will be allocated through a selection process, with priority given to young people who face barriers to participation, including those:

• From low-income families or experiencing financial hardship.
• Living in areas of higher deprivation.
• Experiencing social isolation.
• From Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

Our aim is to ensure that STEM opportunities are accessible to young people who may otherwise face barriers to participation.

Attendance and Commitment

Participants are expected to attend sessions regularly and contribute to their team's research and engineering projects.

If you are unable to attend, please notify us in advance. Repeated absences without prior notice may result in your place being offered to someone on the waiting list.

As this is a youth-led programme, participants should be prepared to take responsibility for their projects, work with other team members and undertake additional research between sessions.

Expectations of Parents and Carers

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting this youth-led initiative. Families will be asked to commit to supporting at least one First Step Robotics youth event during the programme, or alternatively volunteer to help with practical tasks such as setting up equipment, preparing the venue or tidying up after sessions.

This shared commitment helps create a supportive community around the young people, while allowing them to take ownership of their learning and engineering projects.

Supported by Young Start funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

First Step Innovate provides opportunities for young people to develop engineering skills, explore emerging technologies and work together on ambitious, practical projects.

Ready to Build, Code and Innovate?

Register your interest in First Step Innovate. Places are limited and applications will be considered through our selection process.

Young People Lead the Way

This is not a traditional classroom-based course or toy-based play activity. Young people take the lead in their learning, research and project development, with mentors providing guidance, advice and technical support when needed.

Participants are expected to investigate ideas, carry out independent research, solve problems and contribute to team projects. Some research, planning and project development will take place at home between sessions.

The programme encourages independence, teamwork, creativity, scientific thinking and practical engineering skills.

Teams are assigned a primary mission of measuring air pressure and air temperature during the CanSat's descent, with data being transmitted to the students' ground station. They are also tasked with designing a secondary mission of their choosing. It can be based on other satellite missions, a perceived need for scientific data for a specific project, a technology demonstration of a student-designed component, or any other mission that fits the CanSat’s capabilities.

Students develop key skills in systems design, programming, electronics, data analysis, project planning, and teamwork - gaining a genuine insight into what it means to design a space mission.

Important: Registration and Selection

Registration does not guarantee a place. Places are limited and will be allocated through a selection process, with priority given to young people who face barriers to participation. Contact us for eligibility.

Attendance and Commitment

Participants are expected to attend sessions regularly and contribute to their team's research and engineering projects.

If you are unable to attend, please notify us in advance. Repeated absences without prior notice may result in your place being offered to someone on the waiting list.

Young people should also be prepared to undertake independent research and project-related tasks at home between sessions.

Expectations of Parents and Carers

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting this youth-led initiative. Families will be asked to commit to supporting at least one First Step Robotics youth event during the programme, or alternatively volunteer to help with practical tasks such as setting up equipment, preparing the venue or tidying up after sessions.

This shared commitment helps create a supportive community around the young people, while allowing them to take ownership of their learning and engineering projects.

Supported by Young Start funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

First Step Innovate provides opportunities for young people to explore engineering, develop practical skills and work together on ambitious projects.

Ready to Explore Space Engineering?

Register your interest in First Step Innovate. Places are limited, and applications will be considered through our selection process.

LEGO Education Computer Science & AI

Explore computer science, programming, robotics and artificial intelligence through practical, hands-on learning.

Course Overview

This structured programme introduces young people to computer science, programming, robotics and artificial intelligence through practical, hands-on learning.

Using LEGO Education Computer Science & AI resources as a teaching platform, participants develop essential skills in computational thinking, algorithm design, coding, problem-solving and systems engineering.

The programme focuses on understanding how technology works, how computers process information and how intelligent systems interact with the world. Participants progress through structured activities and challenges, applying their knowledge to practical projects.

This is not simply a LEGO building club. The emphasis is on understanding the computer science and engineering principles behind each activity.

What You'll Explore

Participants investigate key computer science concepts and develop practical skills across several areas:

• Computer Science & Computational Thinking: Understanding how computers work and how to break down complex problems.
• Algorithms & Programming: Developing instructions using sequences, loops, conditions and logical operations.
• Coding & Problem-Solving: Writing, testing, debugging and improving programmes.
• Computer Systems, Sensors & Data: Exploring inputs, outputs, sensors and how hardware and software interact.
• Artificial Intelligence: Investigating intelligent systems, automation, pattern recognition and decision-making.
• Robotics & Automation: Understanding how robots operate, respond to their environment and perform programmed tasks.
• Engineering Design: Applying engineering principles to investigate challenges and develop solutions.
• Project Development: Applying knowledge through practical projects and presenting completed work.

Programming, Robotics & Artificial Intelligence

Programming is at the heart of the programme. Participants learn how to develop algorithms, understand coding logic and control computer-based systems.

Through practical activities, they explore how sensors collect information, how programmes process data and how outputs can control actions and behaviours.

As their understanding develops, participants investigate artificial intelligence and automation, exploring how intelligent technologies are used to solve problems and support everyday applications.

Learning Outcomes

By completing the programme, participants will:

• Develop a solid foundation in computer science and computational thinking.
• Understand fundamental programming concepts and algorithm design.
• Gain practical coding, testing and debugging experience.
• Understand how hardware, software, sensors and data work together.
• Develop an understanding of artificial intelligence and intelligent systems.
• Strengthen logical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities.
• Gain confidence in designing, developing and presenting technology-based projects.

Our Teaching Approach

At First Step Robotics, we believe that understanding technology is just as important as using it.

Our approach combines structured learning objectives with practical application. Each activity is designed to introduce or reinforce specific computer science and engineering concepts.

Participants are encouraged to investigate, experiment, think critically, test their ideas and develop their own solutions.

The emphasis is on understanding the technology and principles behind each activity, rather than simply assembling models or following instructions.

Skills for the Future

Computer science and artificial intelligence are transforming the way we live and work. Developing an understanding of these technologies gives young people valuable skills for the future.

Through this programme, participants develop technical knowledge alongside transferable skills including:

• Critical and logical thinking
• Independent learning and investigation
• Creativity and innovation
• Problem-solving and resilience
• Communication and collaboration

Important Information

No previous computer science, coding or robotics experience is required.

This is a structured educational programme, with sessions designed to build on previous learning. Regular attendance is recommended to ensure participants develop a strong understanding of the concepts and complete their practical activities.

Ready to Explore Computer Science & AI?

Develop the skills to understand, programme and create the technology of tomorrow.