Back to school. Back to S.T.E.M The school buses are rolling again and so are we. Fall enrollment is officially open for INNOVATE Albion's FIRST Robotics Teams and we'd love your student to be part of it. What's Running This Fall FIRST Robotics Teams Community-based FIRST Robotics teams for students grades K - 8th grade. FIRST Robotics builds technical skills in programming, drafting, design, and teamwork alongside peers, whether at INNOVATE Albion or in Marshall Public Schools. [Confirm: which teams have open roster spots, tryout/join process, build season start timing.] STEM Saturdays: After a summer break our monthly open houses are back for fall fun. Join us the 2nd Saturdays of September, October and November for hands-on fun for the whole family. These events are a wonderful way to get to know INNOVATE Albion, explore new STEM technology and enjoy a Saturday together as a family. Why Fall Is a Great Time to Start Unlike a summer camp, our fall programs run for months, not weeks — plenty of time for a student to go from curious beginner to confident builder. Students won’t just build with LEGOs or tools, they will also build their confidence, team work and problem solving skills (but don’t tell them that). How to Enroll Registration for FIRST Robotics teams is open through Friday, September 4. FIRST LEGO League Explore (K - 3rd Grade Students) : This team will meet once per week for about 1-hour and explore the world of problem solving, creativity and robotics. Their season will culminate with a showcase in early December. Cost per student is $50 and partial scholarships are available. Register here FIRST LEGO League Challenge (4th - 5th Grade Students): This team will meet twice per week for 90 minutes. Students will design and build a lego robot and then write computer code for the robot to complete missions on the game board. In addition to that students will research a problem they identify in our ecosystem and develop a prototyped solution. Their season will culminate with a day-long competition in early December. Cost per student is $75 and partial scholarships are available. Register here
New ADA Compliant Elevator Opens New Doors at INNOVATE Albion. Since moving into the historic Masonic Temple in 2019, INNOVATE Albion has become a premier hub for students exploring coding, robotics, and STEM education. But like many century-old buildings, its historic character came with a modern challenge: accessibility. Built before World War I, the 15,000-square-foot, three-story building reflected the craftsmanship of its era. Like many buildings of its time, however, this attention to detail didn’t take into account modern accessibility standards. This oversight conflicted with Innovate Albion’s core belief: that every student should have the opportunity to explore STEM fields, regardless of their background or physical ability. Making Special Moments, And Memories, Accessible. Thanks to a collaborative investment from the State of Michigan, the Albion Community Foundation, Consumers Energy and community partners, Innovate Albion's historic headquarters is now fully accessible with a new ADA-compliant elevator. For Executive Director Caroline Hurteau, the elevator represents much more than improved accessibility: "This elevator is not just a structural enhancement; it's a symbol of our commitment to providing equal opportunities for all children to explore and excel in STEM fields." Today, students, families, educators, volunteers, and community members can fully access every level of the innovation center — whether attending a robotics competition, visiting a coding class, volunteering, or simply cheering on the next generation of innovators. Removing Barriers with Remarkable Results. The impact of the elevator can already be seen throughout the community. For Staci Stuart, owner of Sterling Books & Brew, visiting multi-story buildings has often meant facing physical barriers. When her grandson Hobbes enrolled in a robotics class on INNOVATE Albion's third floor, the new elevator allowed her to be there to watch him demonstrate everything he had worked so hard to create. "I remember seeing the excitement in his eyes when he knew we were watching. It was a big deal," Staci said. "If we hadn't been there, it would have been a big disappointment for him." By removing physical barriers and creating new community opportunities, INNOVATE Albion has invested in something even more important than accessibility: It’s created a place where everyone can learn, participate, and feel a part of something bigger.
Innovate Albion Receives $150,000 to Expand Landmark Michigan STEM Initiative in Marshall Public Schools ALBION, MI – July 9 2026 – Innovate Albion (innovatealbion.org), the largest STEM education nonprofit for students in grades K–12 in southwest Michigan, today announced two grant awards totaling $150,000 from the Marshall Community Foundation and Cronin Foundation, expanding the impact of last year’s momentous $1.54 million statewide STEM investment in public education. This two-year pilot initiative transitions the newly installed Ford Future Builders Labs within the Marshall Public Schools (MPS) district into high-impact learning centers. Innovate Albion will hire and oversee two full-time STEM coordinators to work directly in all four Marshall elementary schools, providing hands-on instructional support, curriculum enhancement, and side-by-side coaching for classroom teachers. This initiative marks a significant expansion of Innovate Albion’s ongoing partnership with MPS to enrich foundational STEM education and build a local pipeline of tech talent. Launching in the new school year, this collaborative effort is designed to achieve three critical milestones: Empower Teachers: Equipping educators with the resources and technical mentorship required to sustainably weave high-quality STEM education into core academic curricula. Expand Access: Ensuring elementary students—particularly those from economically disadvantaged, underserved, or marginalized backgrounds—receive consistent, high-caliber exposure to immersive, hands-on STEM experiences. Strengthen Regional Pipeline: Introducing students at an early age to future-focused career pathways in engineering, manufacturing, advanced robotics, and emerging technology that align with the region’s economic landscape. “This initiative allows us to shift the mindset of students at an early age. Through the Ford Future Builders Labs and direct teacher support, we can nurture problem-solving and creative thinking in a way that only STEM education can foster,” said Innovate Albion Executive Director Caroline Dobbins-Hurteau. Innovate Albion’s “Elementary STEM Coordination Initiative” builds directly upon the landmark announcement made last year, when Ford Motor Company, Ford Philanthropy, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) unveiled a comprehensive $1.54 million investment to establish Ford Future Builders Labs (FabLabs). These STEM learning hubs were rolled out across the Detroit Public Schools Community District, Battle Creek Public Schools and MPS earlier this year by providing a champion for the Ford Future Builders Labs, Ford Philanthropy, MPS, and Innovate Albion will serve about 1,030 elementary students with hands-on access to robotics, coding, engineering design, and modern manufacturing during the regular school day, rather than just through after-school programs. Exposing students early to this focused education introduces them to real-world skills that connect to regional high-tech career pathways and the local manufacturing base. “We are honored and excited to work alongside Marshall Public Schools to bring the Ford Future Builders labs to life for students and educators,” Dobbins-Hurteau said. “The support of the Marshall Community Foundation Impact Grant and funds from the Cronin Foundation ensures that we can begin this initiative on strong footing and build a meaningful experience for all students.” Innovate Albion will fill the two new STEM coordinator positions during the summer. All interested applicants should contact Caroline Dobbins-Hurteau at churteau@casterconcepts.com. About Innovate AlbionInnovate Albion is a teaching and training center for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and robotics in southwest Michigan. The nonprofit organization, founded in collaboration with Caster Concepts, Inc. and Conceptual Innovations, brings together students, educators, and professionals to build the next generation of skilled talent in our region. Visit InnovateAlbion.org.