About - Independent Education Program Robotics

Celebrating the Successes of Our Robotics Teams

Our Mission Independent Education Program Robotics (IEP Robotics) provides a high-quality, competitive robotics experience for alternatively-educated students. We bridge the gap between independent, a la carte education and the world-class team environment of FIRST Robotics. Our mission is to build the next generation of problem-solvers, leaders, and innovators by fostering grit, active learning, and real-world technical skills.

Who We Are

We are the official robotics program of the Independent Education Program (IEProgram.org), a leader in providing rigorous, flexible academic options for homeschool and independent-schooled students.

Like our parent organization, IEP Robotics is built on the philosophy that students thrive when they are actively engaged in challenging, hands-on learning. We don’t just teach students how to build a robot; we mentor them in how to think like an engineer, how to collaborate as a team, and how to persevere through complex problems.

Our program is a vibrant community of students, parent volunteers, and dedicated mentors who are passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

The FIRST Experience, The IEP Approach

We have chosen to partner with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) because its core values align perfectly with our own. FIRST is a global robotics community that operates on principles of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition®—inspiring students to compete intensely while also treating one another with respect and helping their fellow teams.

At IEP Robotics, we bring this global challenge to our students with the unique IEP approach:

Active Learning: Our students are in the driver’s seat. They are the ones designing, coding, building, and strategizing. Mentors guide and teach, but the students own the project.
A Growth Mindset: We believe that “failure” is just the first step in finding a solution. Our teams celebrate the learning process, learning to analyze problems, iterate on designs, and overcome obstacles.
Real-World Skills: Students don’t just learn to code or use a drill. They learn project management, public speaking, teamwork, critical thinking, and community outreach—skills that prepare them for any future career path.

Our Programs

IEP Robotics offers a clear path for students to grow, from their first LEGO® creation to a complex, competitive machine. We field teams across three distinct FIRST programs:

FIRST® LEGO® League Explore (Ages 6-10): Where curiosity begins. Our youngest members work in teams to explore a real-world scientific theme, building a motorized LEGO® model and a “Show Me” poster to share what they’ve learned in a non-competitive, celebratory environment.
FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge (Ages 9-16): Where skills develop. Students dive deeper into STEM by designing, building, and programming an autonomous LEGO® robot to compete in a mission-based robot game. They also complete an in-depth research project to solve a real-world problem related to the season’s theme.
FIRST® Tech Challenge (Ages 12-18): Where innovation takes flight. Our high-school-age teams design, build, and program sophisticated, large-scale robots using a reusable kit-of-parts. They compete head-to-head in an exciting alliance format, learning advanced engineering, coding, and strategy.

Join Us

IEP Robotics is more than just an after-school club; it’s a vital part of our students’ education. Whether you are a student ready to join a team, a parent looking for a high-quality STEM program, or a community member who wants to mentor or sponsor the next generation of innovators, we invite you to get involved and see what we’re building together.