MESA, Ariz. — Parents, teachers, and local officials came together to celebrate the inaugural graduating class of the DoorDash Robotics Academy, a new education pilot designed to bring real-world autonomous technology into the classroom and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
Held at the K-8 STEM Academy at Red Mountain Ranch in Mesa, Arizona, the graduation recognized 30 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students who were the first-ever to complete the program through their school’s robotics club. Throughout the program, students explored concepts in coding, robotics, autonomous delivery technology, and real-world applications of those concepts through Dot, DoorDash's autonomous delivery robot.
“Dot is already part of the Mesa community. Now these students understand how it works, and that puts them a step ahead in a world increasingly shaped by autonomous technology. Real-world examples make abstract concepts easier to both teach and learn, and these students are proving that,” said Sueli Shaw, Head of Social Impact at DoorDash. “When Dot comes to a community, it brings more than deliveries – and here in Mesa, it brings more opportunities to learn too.”
The DoorDash Robotics Academy curriculum, created in partnership with Sphero, a K-12 robotics organization, can be implemented in classrooms or after-school robotics clubs and adapted based on students’ prior experience with coding and robotics. Students complete lessons using a hardware kit with a mini-robot meant to mimic Dot, and they learn to code that robot to avoid obstacles and carry an object to complete a delivery.
“Hands-on learning is one of the most powerful ways to spark student interest in STEM,” said Jaclyn Bycott, Principal of the STEM Academy at Red Mountain Ranch. “We’re thrilled that our students were the first to participate in this program; the creativity, persistence, and teamwork they showed throughout the experience. We’re proud to partner with DoorDash on such an innovative, necessary investment in the future of robotics education.”
“Dot has been in Mesa and exemplifies the innovation of our great city – as does the DoorDash Robotics Academy,” said Councilmember Alicia Goforth. “To stay competitive, we must invest in education at an early age, and particularly in STEM. The dedication that these brilliant scholars have put into learning more about such complex topics is inspiring; our city is made better for it.”
“The DoorDash Robotics Academy gave students in Mesa Public Schools the opportunity to explore truly cutting-edge science,” said Dr. Matt Strom, Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools. “Learning about coding, robotics, and autonomous technology will prove invaluable to these young leaders as they progress through their education. We celebrate this inaugural class, and encourage all of our students to stay curious, keep exploring, and continue building the skills that will shape the future.”
The program gives students a window into how autonomous technology “thinks,” makes decisions, and operates in everyday environments. By connecting classroom lessons to technology already operating in their community, the Robotics Academy helps make STEM concepts feel tangible, relevant, and exciting, and sparks curiosity about future related careers.
In each of the lessons, students also engaged with career connections that paired insights from real DoorDash employees with relevant learning concepts. For example, one module included a hardware designer sharing how Dot’s functionality affected its physical design, and in another, a mechanical engineer discussed how to determine the appropriate sensor technology Dot needs to navigate cars, bikes, and pedestrians.
As DoorDash continues to lead in developing autonomous delivery technology, we believe that communities shouldn't just encounter autonomous technology on their streets. Through the Robotics Academy, students, teachers, and schools get a direct way to understand Dot, engage with it, and build the skills to be part of where it's headed.
