Dear, how do kids overseas actually learn robotics? (The video shows U.S. high school students testing their robots before a competition.) Years ago, Moonlight shared related content on Twitter. Based on personal observations and experience, here’s an overview of the robotics learning path for U.S. students from early childhood through high school: Preschool: Children typically start with simple coding games on iPads—similar to match-three puzzle games—designed primarily to develop logical thinking. In elementary school, students begin working with LEGO robots. To clarify: the standard plastic building blocks are just an introduction. If you truly want to foster a child’s interest in robotics and engineering, consider LEGO Robotics kits that integrate mechanical structures, sensors, and programming: https://t.co/qaBOUiBqQs A full set usually costs several hundred dollars, but both my brother and I used them—and they were well worth it. Many U.S. elementary schools have robotics clubs where students can practice after school. In middle school, students move on to more authentic hardware development, such as Raspberry Pi and Arduino boards, gradually transitioning from block-based coding to writing actual code: https://t.co/HVsSItG0yX At this stage, robots evolve from LEGO to platforms like VEX and Makeblock: https://t.co/2qZODexFMS More advanced competition systems require students to design their own structures, write custom programs, and continuously debug. VEX hosts major robotics competitions annually. If you’re willing to invest time managing a club, you can even apply to your school to establish your own robotics team, serve as team captain, and lead peers in competitions. However, since many students aspire to lead their own teams, competition for these roles is intense. If your goal is admission to top U.S. universities—especially if you plan to pursue AI, robotics, or engineering—you’ll need to consistently participate in robotics, coding, or STEM competitions from elementary through high school, building a strong record of projects, awards, and leadership experience. After all, applying to elite U.S. undergraduate programs means competing against the world’s most talented students. Simply building robots isn’t enough—you also need competition results and demonstrated leadership. But regardless of your goals, engaging in these activities is both mentally stimulating and genuinely fun—if you’re passionate about them.