Robots at the Bergen County’s Fall Harvest Festival
Brooklyn Robot Foundry – Upper Bergen County had a wonderful time at this year’s Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival. It was a full day of families, food, music, animals, and plenty of hands-on STEAM learning. The festival welcomed a few thousand visitors over the two days, and we met families and friends from all around the community. Together, we built, explored, and shared lots of laughs while spreading the word about our programs – and most importantly, we had fun!
Robots in Action
Our robots grabbed attention right from the start. Kids made a beeline for our table, eager to see what our interactive robots could do. At first, some parents thought the robots were only for display and gently reminded their kids to look but not touch. Once they realized the activities were designed for children to explore, they encouraged participation. Many children stuck around for quite a while, testing buttons, experimenting, and not wanting to leave.
On-the-Spot Workshop
We also offered our young engineers an on-the-spot workshop where children built their own Mini Bot. They covered the basics of circuits and vibration, followed the guidance of our teachers, decorated their creations, and proudly took them home. It was a fun introduction to robotics and STEAM, giving kids a chance to learn by doing.
A New Take on Pumpkins
We couldn’t show up to a fall festival without pumpkins, so we brought our own twist. Kids decorated a big pumpkin with screws and screwdrivers, adding color and flair while practicing motor skills. For some of the younger ones, it was actually their first time using a screwdriver, which made it even more special. By the end of the day, our “robot-inspired pumpkin” was one of the most noticeable and most photographed parts of the booth.
The Bracelet-Making Robot
The star of the table was the Brace-o-Matic, our bracelet-making robot. With a push of a green button, it whipped up bracelets using beads and pipe cleaners, fast enough to keep up with the constant line of kids waiting their turn. By the end of the day, it had produced hundreds of bracelets. Parents loved seeing their kids so engaged, and many were surprised to learn this robot is part of our curriculum. Children can actually build one themselves in class, not just at community events.
Festival Highlights and the Camel Cameo
The festival itself was buzzing with activity: food vendors, live music, local businesses, and a petting zoo with goats, alpacas, and camels. One camel even made a surprise stop at our table. It paused right by our robots, munched on some grass, and then strolled away while families laughed. A parent nearby joked, “Even camels like the robots!” and that captured the moment perfectly.
We are grateful to everyone who visited our table and took part in the activities. Events like the Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival remind us how important it is to bring hands-on STEM learning into the community, whether through festivals, schools, or our regular classes. Seeing children’s excitement as they explore, build, and discover makes all the work worthwhile. A big thank you to Bergen County and Bergen County 4-H for making this day happen and for including us.
Let’s build, let’s celebrate, and we’ll see you there next year!
If you’d like to bring Brooklyn Robot Foundry to your school, community center, library, organization, or party, explore our programs on this Programs page. For any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at emotion@brooklynrobotfoundry.com