Center for Future Innovators

06/18/2026

Welcome to Father’s Day Printmaking Workshop @ CFI Robotics Center

Looking for a special Father’s Day gift? Children will create their own printmaking artwork using cardboard and LEGO pieces and take home a beautifully framed piece ready for Dad!

✅ Ages 6+
✅ No experience needed
✅ All materials included
✅ $35 per child

Spots are limited—register early!

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/ZTpbD315518Uhk1L7

06/08/2026

🏆 Terra Bytes shines again at the American Robotics Open National Competition!

After a full season of hard work, CFI Robotics TerraBytes Team (62345) has won the prestigious Engineering Excellence Award at the American Robotics Open National Competition.

This award celebrates teams that excel in robot design, innovative project solutions, and outstanding Core Values.

The judges highlighted our robot Dino, with its versatile 3-in-1 attachment, PID control, and extensive engineering documentation.

In addition, TerraBytes placed 6th nationwide in the Table Run—an achievement we’re proud of among the top teams.

Though we were just one step away from the highest awards, and there’s a tiny bit of “what if,” we are incredibly proud of how we showcased our engineering, innovation, and teamwork on the national stage.

From state to nationals, TerraBytes proved once again: A top robot doesn’t just run fast—it’s designed well, innovates boldly, and collaborates deeply.

A huge thank you to all students, coaches, parents, and volunteers for an amazing season!

Think. Build. Test. Explain.

Terra Bytes 62345
CFI Robotics NFP

06/05/2026

CFI Robotics NFP is excited to launch a new program: AgentVenture: The Youth AI Agent Venture Challenge.

AgentVenture is a free AI innovation and entrepreneurship competition for students in Grades 5–8. Students may participate individually or in teams of 1–3. Through the challenge, students will learn how to design AI agents, solve real-world problems, build a visual workflow prototype, and pitch their ideas like young entrepreneurs.

No prior coding experience is required. What matters most is curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and the willingness to explore new ideas.

Registered contestants may participate in optional online workshops to learn about AI agents, problem selection, solution design, visual workflow prototyping, and pitch preparation. The program will conclude with a hybrid Final Showcase, where selected finalist teams will present their projects live to judges. Local teams may present in person at the CFI Center in Chicago, while out-of-area teams may participate online.

Program Highlights:

[玫瑰]Free of charge
[玫瑰]Open to students in Grades 5–8
[玫瑰]Individual or teams of 1–3 students
[玫瑰]No coding experience required
[玫瑰]Optional online workshops Hybrid Final Showcase: Chicago + online option
[玫瑰]Up to 20 finalist teams will pitch live to judges

We also welcome high school students who are interested in joining the AgentVenture High School Leadership Team to support workshops, operations, outreach, technology, and event organization.

Registration Link:
https://forms.gle/sb3m7dpmkke2RQta7

Please feel free to share this opportunity with students, families, schools, and community partners. We also welcome support from businesses, organizations, community groups, and individual sponsors to help us provide student awards, workshops, tools, and Final Showcase support while keeping the program free for all participating students.

06/05/2026

CFI Robotics NFP is excited to launch AgentVenture: The Youth AI Agent Venture Challenge.

This free AI innovation and entrepreneurship competition is open to students in Grades 5–8. Students can join individually or in teams of 1–3 and will learn how to design AI agents, solve real-world problems, create visual workflow prototypes, and pitch their ideas.

No coding experience is required. Students just need curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to explore new ideas.

Program Highlights:
Free to join
Grades 5–8
Individual or teams of 1–3
No coding experience required
Optional online workshops
Hybrid Final Showcase in Chicago and online
Up to 20 finalist teams will pitch live to judges

We are also welcoming high school students to join the AgentVenture High School Leadership Team.

Register here:
https://forms.gle/sb3m7dpmkke2RQta7

Please share with students, families, schools, and community partners. Sponsorship support is also welcome to help keep this program free for participating students.

06/05/2026

CFI Robotics NFP is excited to launch a new program: AgentVenture: The Youth AI Agent Venture Challenge.

AgentVenture is a free AI innovation and entrepreneurship competition for students in Grades 5–8. Students may participate individually or in teams of 1–3. Through the challenge, students will learn how to design AI agents, solve real-world problems, build a visual workflow prototype, and pitch their ideas like young entrepreneurs.

No prior coding experience is required. What matters most is curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and the willingness to explore new ideas.

Registered contestants may participate in optional online workshops to learn about AI agents, problem selection, solution design, visual workflow prototyping, and pitch preparation. The program will conclude with a hybrid Final Showcase, where selected finalist teams will present their projects live to judges. Local teams may present in person at the CFI Center in Chicago, while out-of-area teams may participate online.

Program Highlights:

Free of charge
Open to students in Grades 5–8
Individual or teams of 1–3 students
No coding experience required
Optional online workshops
Hybrid Final Showcase: Chicago + online option
Up to 20 finalist teams will pitch live to judges

We also welcome high school students who are interested in joining the AgentVenture High School Leadership Team to support workshops, operations, outreach, technology, and event organization.

Registration Link:
https://forms.gle/sb3m7dpmkke2RQta7

Please feel free to share this opportunity with students, families, schools, and community partners. We also welcome support from businesses, organizations, community groups, and individual sponsors to help us provide student awards, workshops, tools, and Final Showcase support while keeping the program free for all participating students.

06/04/2026

Thank you, Palos Heights School District 128!
We are excited to spend the summer together!

🤖⚙️ STEAM Summer Camp is coming to Chippewa Elementary School!

Students entering Grades 2–5 can spend August 3–7 exploring robotics, engineering, coding, STEM challenges, and hands-on learning through an exciting partnership with CFI Robotics and the Center for Future Innovators.

📅 August 3–7, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Chippewa Elementary School
👨‍🔬 Incoming Grades 2–5 D128 Students
💲 $400 per student

Students will build LEGO® robots, compete in RoboSumo matches, tackle engineering challenges, and strengthen teamwork and problem-solving skills.

🔗 Register today:
https://forms.gle/oEKZDib1gDnisBYP9

For additional information, contact Brian Meadows, Executive Director of CFI Robotics, at [email protected] or 773-656-3466.

This camp is operated by CFI Robotics/Center for Future Innovators and is not a District 128 program. Registration, payment, and program operations are managed by CFI Robotics.

06/01/2026

Thank you, everyone, who joined us for the last class of the Spring season today!

05/31/2026

A great day at CFI LEGO Science class!

05/27/2026

CFI Summer Weekend Classes Are Open!

Registration is now open for our summer Saturday classes at the CFI Robotics Center.

Classes start Saturday, July 11

Students can join hands-on classes in LEGO Robotics, Robo Arena, LEGO Science, Python Robotics, 3D Design, Arduino Engineering, and Innovators Guild.

Seats are limited for each class.

Learn more and register here:
https://forms.gle/vqGcn4nRocW1MTMo7