On April 25th, Alston Ridge Middle School (Cary, North Carolina) transformed into a high-energy engineering arena for the STRIPE Competition Spring 2026 Divisional. From the moment doors opened, it was nonstop action. Robots moving, teams strategizing, and scores climbing.
New this season, the Jr. Robotics Nebula Engineering Challenge stole the spotlight. Students ages 5–9 designed and built LEGO motorized amusement park rides, then documented their engineering process like true innovators. It wasn’t just building, it was thinking, testing, improving, and creating in ways that turned heads all day.
Katie, a guest judge from a local engineering firm, captured the moment perfectly: “Zebra Robotics is doing something really meaningful, introducing students as young as five to the engineering design process in a way that builds both confidence and capability. It was impressive to see not only their creativity and problem solving, but also their composure, teamwork, and focus in a competitive setting. These are the kinds of skills that truly prepare students for the future.”
Across the gym, the intensity ramped up as top teams from across North Carolina raced the 2-minute clock in the Ride Rush Robot Game. Every second mattered. Every move counted.
STAR Division Champions Team Bionic (520) Rad Re-Runner (515) Spare Parts (505)
SUPERNOVA Division Champions Evil Bunnies 3.0 (530) Voltage Vipers (405) Captain Rex (335)
Next up, the stakes get even higher. Teams are headed to Niagara Falls, Canada this June for the STRIPE Competition Internationals, where the best from across North America will battle it out at the ultimate Ride Rush championship.
STEM education continues to transform how students learn and prepare for the future. Robotics, AI, and coding programs provide hands-on experiences that develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork. Families and schools across the country are seeking programs that equip students with skills for technology-driven careers, creating strong demand for high-quality enrichment.
This demand continues to accelerate. Industry projections show the STEM education market in North America reaching over $96 billion within the next 5 years, driven by the need for future-ready skills, AI-enabled learning, and hands-on education models. As technology continues to shape the workforce, these programs play a central role in preparing students for what comes next.
Zebra Robotics has been at the forefront of this movement, delivering engaging programs that foster collaboration and innovation across all age groups. This positions STEM education franchising with Zebra Robotics as an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to build a business grounded in purpose, impact, and long-term growth.
A Proven Path for Entrepreneurs
STEM education franchising offers structured entry into the education market. Franchise models provide established curriculum, operational guidance, and brand recognition that support a confident launch. Zebra Robotics equips franchisees with comprehensive training, marketing resources, and ongoing support to maintain high program quality.
With over 11 years of operational experience, 25+ locations, and 50,000+ students served, Zebra Robotics offers a proven and profitable business model. Entrepreneurs exploring education franchise opportunities benefit from a system designed for efficiency, strong retention, and consistent demand.
With clear processes in place, franchise owners can focus on building relationships, engaging their local market, and delivering impactful learning experiences.
Designed for Growth and Flexibility
Zebra Robotics programs adapt across multiple formats, including weekly classes, camps, workshops, and school partnerships. This flexibility allows franchise owners to reach a wide audience and maintain steady enrollment throughout the year.
A scalable structure supports long-term growth. Franchisees can expand offerings, increase capacity, and strengthen partnerships without added complexity. With 70+ in-house developed programs and both in-person and virtual delivery options, the model supports steady and manageable expansion.
This flexibility allows owners to establish a strong local presence while growing their business over time.
Building Strong Community Connections
Schools and community organizations actively seek engaging STEM programs that align with modern learning goals. These offerings fit naturally into those environments, creating strong partnership opportunities for franchise owners.
Zebra Robotics also emphasizes competition-based learning. Students participate in recognized robotics, AI, and coding competitions, where they develop teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills. Over time, Zebra Robotics teams have earned 200+ awards across regional and international competitions, contributing to local pride and engagement.
By introducing these programs into their communities, franchisees create meaningful connections while supporting student growth and confidence.
Combining Purpose with Opportunity
Franchise ownership with Zebra Robotics brings together entrepreneurship and meaningful work. Owners deliver valuable learning experiences while operating within a high-demand, future-focused industry.
With millions of STEM-related roles expected in the coming years, demand for robotics, AI, and coding education continues to rise. This creates a strong foundation for franchise owners to build businesses aligned with long-term market needs.
Zebra Robotics encourages innovation in program delivery, community engagement, and business growth. Franchisees join a network focused on inspiring students while building successful, community-driven businesses.
Looking Ahead
Entrepreneurs who value education and innovation will find strong opportunities in STEM education franchising. With a proven model, adaptable programs, and growing demand, Zebra Robotics franchisees are equipped to build meaningful businesses that inspire future leaders in technology and STEM fields.
Start Your Franchise Journey
At Zebra Robotics, we empower franchisees to bring innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship together in one opportunity. Joining our network means delivering robotics, AI, and coding programs to your community while building a business rooted in education and growth.
If you are ready to take the next step, contact us to learn how Zebra Robotics can support your journey into franchise ownership and help you make a lasting impact.
Zebra Robotics teams across the United States and Canada wrapped up a successful FIRST LEGO League season this 2025 – 2026. This year, they took on the Unearthed archaeology challenge with powerful robots, thoughtful research, and effective teamwork. While many Zebra Robotics students also compete in robot game focused programs such as STRIPE Competition and World Robot Olympiad, FIRST LEGO League remains a core program for its emphasis on research, innovation, communication, and real world problem-solving alongside robotics and programming.
Chaordisaurous from North Carolina
The Techy T-Rexes from Zebra Robotics MeadowvaleTeam Dig Fit from Zebra Robotics OakvilleThe Stone Soldiers from North Carolina
In North Carolina, teams explored archaeology through a STEM lens, researching solutions such as photogrammetry for preserving ancient artifacts, safer transport systems for mummies, heat protection gear for archaeologists working in extreme environments, and methods for protecting fragile cave paintings.
All four North Carolina teams advanced to the State Championship, with three earning top ten robot game scores at the state level.
“FIRST LEGO League stretches kids in the best ways. They’re building robots one minute and pitching big ideas to judges the next. Add in tight timelines, teamwork, and real research with industry professionals, and suddenly STEM becomes a lot bigger than just code and LEGO robots.”
Stephanie Hicks, North Carolina Coach at Zebra Robotics.
The Fossilized PieCakes from North CarolinaThe Zebrologists from North CarolinaThe ZeBolts from North Carolina
In Ontario, Canada, Zebra Robotics covered five brilliant teams, nearly all of them participating for the first time, representing Avenue Road, Brampton, Meadowvale, and Oakville. Teams embraced the Unearthed theme by developing innovation projects focused on archaeological discovery and making the lives of archeologists easier on the field. This included autonomous rover concepts, introductory artificial intelligence ideas, and applications of robotics, automation, and data analysis. Alongside robot design, students strengthened collaboration, documentation, and presentation skills.
Team Chungus Inc. from Zebra Robotics BramptonTeam DigDeep from Zebra Robotics Avenue Road
Ontario teams delivered strong performances at regional competitions, with three advancing to the Provincial Championship after earning awards including Engineering Excellence, Coaches Awards, Core Values, and the Championship Award. At Provincials, teams presented refined innovation projects and improved robot designs, earning a Motivate Award for Brampton and an Engineering Excellence Award for Meadowvale. The Meadowvale team has now advanced to the FIRST LEGO League International competition, a significant achievement for the rookie team.
Avenue Road winning the Coach’s Award
“This season was really fun, but competition day was definitely nerve-racking. I am so glad we were able to win an award!”
Zebra Robotics Meadowvale Team Member
Across both countries, Zebra Robotics teams demonstrated the value of FIRST LEGO League in developing skills that extend beyond competition day. Through hands on engineering, research driven projects, and collaboration under pressure, students built confidence, resilience, and a deeper interest in STEM and robotics.
The success of both rookie and experienced teams reflects the impact of consistent mentorship and accessible STEM opportunities, reinforcing a commitment to developing the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem solvers.
With more FLL seasons coming up and recruitment starting in early July, we cannot wait for the 2026 – 27 season reveal and for the competition prep to start.
Team Blockbuster from Zebra Robotics Brampton
If you’re looking to join an award-winning FLL team this summer check out our Zebra Robotics programs!
With the conclusion of the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) in Singapore on November 28th, Zebra Robotics proudly marks the end of another remarkable competition season. It was one filled with innovation, resilience, and countless moments of growth for our students.
Since 2016, Zebra Robotics has worked to prepare high-performance teams capable of representing Canada on the global stage. Our mission has always been to help young innovators develop not only technical skills, but the confidence, composure, and collaborative spirit required to excel in international robotics & coding competitions. We have participated in WRO nearly every year since 2016 and we always come back with numerous inspiring stories of hard work and success.
Here is what our teams did this 2025 Season!
1. Slovenia – Open Championship Europe (September 2025) Our season kicked off in Slovenia, where RoboCare Innovations represented Zebra Robotics Burlington at the first Open Championship of the year. Competing in the Future Innovators category, the team earned an impressive 5th place overall and took home a silver award for their advanced healthcare-focused robotic solution. Their project stood out for its creativity and potential impact on medical systems worldwide.
2. Panama – Open Championship Americas (October 2025) At the Americas Championship in Panama, two teams from Zebra Robotics demonstrated what passion and perseverance can achieve. Pink Boba Pearls secured 4th place in the Future Engineers category, inspiring many younger students with their rapid skill development and dedication. Learning to code from scratch turned into their robot BETI. What started as an idea became a symbol of their perseverance and creativity.
Berry & Teddy, one of the youngest teams to represent Canada in their category, competed against mostly high-school and university students. Learning how to program and build EV3 models just for this competition, they exceeded expectations and narrowly missed the playoffs with their tennis robots, “Berry” and “Teddy.”
These teams from our Ajax and Meadowvale locations showed that age is no barrier when curiosity and determination lead the way.
3. Singapore – WRO Worlds (November 2025) The world stage in Singapore gathered delegates from 87 countries for one of the most competitive WRO events to date. Coming off a clean sweep of first place in three categories at the WRO Nationals in Montreal (May 2025), Zebra Robotics Meadowvale proudly sent three teams to the Singapore Worlds Competition to represent Canada.
Parallax (Robo Mission Senior) impressed spectators and judges alike with their highly detailed robot design. Despite unexpected sensor and mechanical challenges on Day 2, the team worked tirelessly to troubleshoot and made a strong comeback by Day 3.
In the Future Innovators category, Team R&D finished 4th, missing a podium finish by only 0.5 points, while Team Electrostatics claimed 7th place.
Continuing Canada’s Legacy at WRO
In a competition historically dominated by Eastern nations, Canada continues to rise as a strong Western presence, and Zebra Robotics is honoured to be part of that movement. Over the past several years, Zebra Robotics teams have consistently ranked in the top 10 globally at WRO Internationals. Our students’ commitment to learning, problem-solving, and innovation drives us forward year after year. As we celebrate an exciting 2025 season, we are already gearing up for 2026. New projects are underway, new teams are forming, and the passion for robotics within our community is stronger than ever. Here’s to another year of inspiring students, building world-class teams, and pushing the boundaries of robotics education in Canada.
“Young students working on a coding project, exploring the intersection of AI and robotics at Zebra Robotics.”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, automating tasks, and reshaping the way we work. As AI becomes more advanced, many people are asking: “What is the impact of AI on the need for coding knowledge?” and “Does AI make coding less necessary?” At Zebra Robotics, we believe that the rise of AI makes coding education more important than ever. Here’s why.
What is the Impact of AI on the Need for Coding Knowledge?
AI is undoubtedly changing the coding landscape, but it’s not replacing the need for coding knowledge—it’s enhancing it. Here’s how:
Coding as a Foundation for AI: Understanding coding is essential for working with AI. Whether it’s writing algorithms, debugging AI models, or integrating AI into applications, coding remains a critical skill.
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: AI is a powerful tool that can automate repetitive tasks, but it still requires human oversight and input. Coders are needed to design, train, and refine AI systems.
New Opportunities in AI Development: The rise of AI has created new roles in machine learning, data science, and AI ethics, all of which require strong coding skills.
Does AI Make Coding Less Necessary? Are Coders’ Jobs at Risk?
While AI can automate certain aspects of coding, it doesn’t make coding less necessary—it shifts the focus of what coders do. Here’s why coders’ jobs aren’t at risk:
AI Can’t Replace Creativity and Problem-Solving: AI excels at common tasks, but it lacks creating custom solutions that is specific to a particular business problem, the creativity and critical thinking skills that human coders bring to the table are hard to be replace. Coders are needed to solve complex problems, design innovative solutions, and think outside the box.
The Human Touch in Coding: Coding isn’t just about writing lines of code—it’s about understanding user needs, designing intuitive interfaces, and creating meaningful experiences. These are areas where human coders excel.
AI Creates More Jobs Than It Replaces: According to the World Economic Forum, AI is expected to create 97 million new jobs by 2025, many of which will require coding skills.
“Zebra Robotics students celebrate their success at STRIPE competition, showcasing their coding and problem-solving skills.”
Why Learning to Code is More Important Than Ever
As AI continues to evolve, coding education becomes even more critical for the next generation. Here’s why:
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Learning to code helps children develop essential skills like logical reasoning, algorithmic thinking, and debugging—skills that are crucial in an AI-driven world.
Kids for Future Careers: Whether it’s developing AI systems, working in cybersecurity, or designing apps, coding is a foundational skill for many high-demand careers.
Creativity and Innovation: Coding empowers children to bring their ideas to life, whether it’s creating a game, building a robot, or developing an AI-powered app.
Resilience and Adaptability: In a world where technology is constantly changing, coding teaches children to adapt, learn new tools, and embrace challenges.
“The Zebra Robotics logo, representing our commitment to empowering the next generation of coders and innovators.”
Zebra Robotics: Preparing Kids for an AI-Driven Future
At Zebra Robotics, we’re committed to helping children develop the skills they need to thrive in an AI-driven world. Our programs:
Introduce kids to coding and robotics through hands-on, project-based learning.
Teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills that AI can’t replicate.
Provide a supportive environment where kids can explore, experiment, and innovate.
The rise of AI doesn’t make coding less important—it makes it more essential than ever. By learning to code, children develop the skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven world, from critical thinking and problem-solving to creativity and innovation. At Zebra Robotics, we’re proud to empower the next generation of coders, innovators, and problem-solvers.
A young woman applies STEM skills, assembling an electronic circuit with focus and precision.
British Columbia is a thriving hub for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers, with industries like technology, clean energy, life sciences, and natural resources driving the province’s economy. As a parent, you want to prepare your child for a future filled with opportunities. At Zebra Robotics, we’re excited to bring our award-winning STEM programs to BC, helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in these high-demand fields.
A Glimpse of Innovation: The Microsoft Building in BC
BC’s economy is rapidly evolving, and STEM skills are at the heart of this transformation. Here’s why STEM education is more important than ever for your child’s future:
Growing Job Market:
BC is home to over 10,000 tech companies, including giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Electronic Arts (EA), all of which have a significant presence in the province.
The province is also a leader in clean technology, life sciences, and sustainable resource management, creating thousands of jobs for skilled professionals.
Future-Proof Skills:
STEM careers are among the fastest-growing and highest-paying in BC.
By 2025, it’s estimated that 80% of jobs in BC will require STEM-related skills.
Solving Real-World Problems:
From developing renewable energy solutions to advancing healthcare technologies, STEM professionals are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges.
As we expand into British Columbia, we’re committed to helping students unlock their potential and explore exciting STEM career paths. Here’s what sets Zebra Robotics apart:
Hands-On Learning:
Our programs focus on robotics, coding, and engineering, giving students practical experience with cutting-edge technologies.
Through fun, interactive projects, students learn to design, build, and program robots, preparing them for real-world challenges.
Skill Development:
We teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration—skills that are essential for success in STEM careers.
Students also gain confidence in public speaking and teamwork through presentations and group projects.
As part of our expansion into BC, we’re tailoring our programs to align with the province’s unique STEM opportunities, such as clean energy and technology innovation.
“STEM education isn’t just about learning skills—it’s about empowering the next generation to solve the world’s biggest challenges. At Zebra Robotics, we’re proud to help students in BC unlock their potential and prepare for a future full of opportunities.” – Satish Thiyagarajan, Co-founder and CEO, Zebra Robotics
Here’s a closer look at some of the exciting STEM careers your child could pursue in BC:
Technology:
Roles: Software Developer, Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Game Designer.
Why It’s Hot: Vancouver is one of Canada’s fastest-growing tech hubs, with companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Electronic Arts (EA) driving demand for tech talent.
Clean Technology:
Roles: Renewable Energy Engineer, Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Specialist.
Why It’s Hot: BC is a global leader in clean energy, with initiatives like CleanBC driving innovation and job growth.
Life Sciences:
Roles: Biotechnologist, Medical Researcher, Pharmaceutical Developer.
Why It’s Hot: BC’s life sciences sector is rapidly expanding, with world-class research institutions and companies.
Why It’s Hot: BC’s rich natural resources create opportunities for sustainable development and innovation.
As we launch our programs in British Columbia, we invite parents and students to join us in exploring the exciting world of STEM. Visit our STEM programs page to learn about our robotics and coding classes, or check out our locations page to discover a Zebra Robotics center near you. Encourage your child to participate in the STRIPE Competition, FIRST LEGO League (FLL), or VEX Robotics Competition to showcase their skills and creativity.
Students gear up for the STRIPE competition, putting their problem-solving and teamwork skills to the test in this interactive robotics challenge!
The future of work is here, and STEM skills are the key to unlocking endless opportunities for your child. At Zebra Robotics, we’re proud to bring our innovative programs to British Columbia, helping students build the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Just this past weekend, we had an incredibly important celebration for our national and international World Robotics Olympiad (WRO) competitors! Wanting to celebrate their achievements we had been hard at work setting up a small event for the kids this Saturday, with demonstrations, speeches, and of course, food. But behind the scenes, Jami had been toiling away on another secret project. Equipped with a silver tongue, she managed to invite and convince some of our local MPP’s to come down and show their support for our hard-working students as well! MPP’s Nina Tangri and Deepak Anand were more than delighted to make an appearance, and honour the competitors, even bringing special awards recognizing their triumphs.
Parents were the first to arrive, catching up with one another, as well as sharing their experiences of the national finals. The kids mingled among each other, either grabbing food, or checking up on their robots, fine tuning them before the MPPs arrivals. Not too long after, the ministers rolled in, and the teams were ready to show off all their hard work. The Future Innovators delivered their well-crafted presentation and demonstration of their robot to combat biofouling. The RoboMission team showed off their robots’ agility and precision by picking up, carrying, and carefully placing rings. In a new twist on RoboSports, the autonomous robots played against the MPPs who tossed the balls back as if they were a robot team.
The Future Innovators Team show off their robot to combat biofouling. MPP Nina Tangri asks questions about the project.
After the festivities, speeches were held by founder Satish, alongside the wonderful MPP’s. They congratulated the students and encouraged them to keep reaching for the stars, as who else but the next generation would be able to grasp them. Then each team was awarded a special certificate, recognition from the Government of Ontario for their accomplishments. Parents and coaches alike burst into applause as the teams received their awards, handed to them by both Nina Tangri and Deepak Anand. Finally, the teams going to Panama were presented with the Canada jerseys they will wear throughout the WRO competition, and they had a chance to pose with the Canadian flag.
The teams going to WRO Internationals pose with the coaches and MPPs Nina Tangri and Deepak Anand.
As the event came to a close, students went back to their parents, receiving smiles, hugs, and words of affirmation. It was a brilliant sendoff for our international competitors and a proud recognition of our national competitors after all their hard work.
Stay posted to our blog and social media for updates on the international teams as they travel to Panama in two weeks’ time. As we cheer on the international competitors, we are already gearing up for the FLL season and starting a new season of STRIPE Competition. Stay tuned for updates on both of those as well! Thank you for reading!
Last month, Sunday June 4th, marked the WRO National Finals in which eleven Zebra Robotics teams fiercely competed using the knowledge and skills they acquired over the curriculum. This time and effort they put into learning and innovating paid off, as the teams collected six awards, including three first place positions, one second place position, and two third place positions. Of these award winners, two of the three first place positions are going to be representing Canada on the world stage, competing in the WRO International Finals in Panama against eighty plus countries!
But you might be wondering, what were the achievements that brought these Zebra students to the international stage?
The first team, who came in first place, was a high school team that focused on the issue of long-haul ocean freight ships. These massive cargo ships drive our supply industry, with many carrying 24,000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) worth of supplies across our vast oceans. They, however, face a major issue. As these ships have a decently long lifespan, many of them acquire lots of biomaterial on the underside of their hulls, things like algae, barnacles, tubeworms and more. This causes a whole host of issues and is referred to as biofouling in the industry. It is a problem that has plagued humanity since the dawn of sailing, but our bright minds came up with a solution.
The first place highschooler team posing for a photo op.
The high school team designed a robot that can climb onto the underside of the container ships while they are docked, and work to remove the biomaterial on the underside of the ships while they are being loaded. During the demonstration of the robot, the students showed how it could climb the hulls of these ships, at one point having their robot climbing an almost vertical surface. The judges were clearly impressed by their design work, as well as the impact that this type of robot could have. If the technology moves forward, it will help to solve biofouling, which can help make cargo ships 20% more fuel efficient, help curb invasive species spread, and help lower maintenance costs, among many other benefits.
But they aren’t the only innovators on the world stage. Also in first place, is a group of middle schoolers, all grade seven. They designed and built a robot to compete in the Robot Mission category. Through their hard work and dedication during their time at Zebra Robotics, they managed to design a robot with an edge over the competition in this head-to-head robot matchup, earning them a spot in the WRO International Finals. There in Panama, they will compete once more in the Robot Mission category.
Of the teams that competed in the WRO National Finals, many got close to moving onto the international finals. While they didn’t quite make it, it doesn’t mean their ideas aren’t valuable. This is especially true with one of our third place winners who worked to design a solution to growing energy needs in the tech industry.
Currently, as more and more of our world moves online, more and more server space is needed to run it. These servers are often stored in massive data centers, of which there are over five thousand worldwide! These centers are great for storing the information needed, and they are in one location to make maintenance easier. But one of the large issues with them is that they need constant cooling, to ensure that the centers do not overheat. This consumes a massive amount of energy and can become quite pricey depending on the cooling system used. So, if data centers were to become more prominent, and more affordable, the cooling system costs would need to come down somehow.
This is where our third place innovators came in to offer a solution. Liquid cooling is already more efficient and cost effective than other methods of cooling, but it can be further refined. The team designed a mutually beneficial system that worked to take the heat of the data centers and put it to use. The cold water, heated up by the data centers, can be pumped out to other areas where the heated water can be deployed for human use. Thus, helping to reduce total energy costs used by the company/building, while also being more eco-friendly.
The third place team posing with their certificate.
That about covers it for now. We will have more news in November, when our teams compete on the world stage in Panama! Keep an eye out on our socials, or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of current events.
