5:16 Robotics
Welcome Robotics Enthusiasts!
Hands on Robotics & Stem enrichment program serving Rockwall, Kaufman and surrounding cities.
Build * Code * Compete * Belong
5:16 Robotics is a faith-based private Robotics enrichment program for youth ages 9-14 where students build and code real VEX IQ robots, tackle engineering challenges, work collaboratively, compete, problem-solve, and develop skills that reach far beyond robotics.
Interested in bringing 5:16 Robotics to your school or CO-OP, give us your email & let us know:
Did you know…
Robotics is about so much more than learning how to build a robot.
Students practice problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, perseverance and teamwork—often without even realizing how much they’re learning. They make a plan, test it, discover what doesn’t work, make adjustments and try again.
At 5:16 Robotics, we believe those moments are just as important as learning to build and code.
What happens at 5:16 Robotics
Build & Code
🤖 BUILD
Students design, build, test and improve real VEX IQ robots.
💻 CODE
Students learn block-based programming and develop real-world coding and problem-solving skills.
Create & Engineer
💡 CREATE
Challenges encourage students to experiment, troubleshoot, think creatively and discover that failure is part of engineering.
⭐ Engineer
Students create engineering note books and learn to document their process along the way.
Collaborate & Compete
🤝 WORK AS A TEAM
Students learn communication, leadership, sportsmanship and how to solve problems together.
🏆 COMPETE
Teams put their robots and skills to the test through in-class challenges with opportunities to participate in VEX IQ competitions.
And most importantly we GROW: in Confidence. In Curiosity. In Community. In Character
Who, What, Where…
2026/2027 School Year info: Class sessions will consist of to 12-15 students Ages 9-14, comprised of no more than 4 teams of 4 students. (Never more than 15 kids per class.) Classes will meet once a week for 27 sessions spanning 9 months. Beginning end of August and ending in May this is a full year program and requires a full year commitment with the convenience of 9 monthly payments . (please see the menu above for a copy this year’s calendar).
We are currently offering multiple class options: 90 mins. each (choose 1) Your membership is for 1 class a week. More locations coming soon!
Monday: in Rockwall: 12:30pm-2:00pm
Monday (private at Providence) 3:45pm-5:15pm
Tuesday in Kaufman @ Hidden Acres: 2:00pm-3:30pm
Tuesday after school in Rockwall (limited space) 4:30-6:00
** Thursday in Rockwall: 12:30pm-2:00pm & 2:30pm-4:00pm- (Currently on hold till we get more interest, please message us so we can add you to a wait list if you prefer this day)
Friday in Rockwall 3:00pm-4:30pm
Please message us if you don’t see a time or day that works for your child. We are continuing to add classes and partner locations.
Location/Address:
Rockwall: we meet @ 1505 Airport Road Suite 200, Rockwall TX. 75087 (inside A Dance to Remember studio & next door to jungle trek) Kaufman: we meet at Hidden Acres
Family Registration is required to secure your child’s spot.
Ready to Join us? Click below!
MEET THE BROWN FAMILY, Your instructors!
A family passionate about faith, education, and helping students discover what they’re capable of.
5:16 Robotics was founded by Ryan and Angel Brown, longtime homeschool parents with a heart for creating meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Ryan is a U.S. Navy veteran, former public school educator, and experienced VEX IQ Robotics coach. Before launching 5:16 Robotics, he spent years teaching in the public school system, where he discovered a passion for robotics and led multiple student teams in VEX IQ competition — including taking three teams to the VEX Robotics World Championship.
As homeschool parents ourselves, we understand that some of the most valuable learning happens when students are given the opportunity to build, create, experiment, fail, try again, and discover what they can do. That’s the environment we strive to create at 5:16 Robotics.
What began with our own family’s love of robotics has grown into a private enrichment program serving homeschool families, after-school students, and partner schools throughout our community.
Why 5:16?
Our name comes from Matthew 5:16 — “Let your light shine before others…”
Our faith is an important part of who we are and why we do what we do. We want students to grow in knowledge and ability, but we also believe who they’re becoming matters just as much.
That’s why 5:16 is about More Than Robots.
We’re building Confidence • Curiosity • Community • Character.
Our goal is for every student to leave our program knowing a little more, believing in themselves a little more, and understanding that their individual gifts can be used to make a difference.
From our family to yours, we’re honored to be part of your student’s journey.
What to expect:
No two weeks at 5:16 look exactly the same. Students may spend one class designing and rebuilding their robot, another learning to code an autonomous routine, and another testing their skills in a fast-paced team challenge.
Students work in small teams with VEX IQ equipment as they learn through doing — building, testing, failing, troubleshooting, improving and trying again. Our instructors guide and teach, but we intentionally give students room to solve problems for themselves.
Throughout the year, students work toward the current VEX IQ challenge while also participating in creative engineering activities, coding challenges, team competitions and skill-building projects.
No previous robotics or coding experience is required. Students learn and grow throughout the year.
Want to Take It Further? Compete!
Competition is optional.
Students can have a fantastic 5:16 experience without ever attending an outside tournament. For students who want more, teams have opportunities to register for official VEX IQ events throughout the DFW area.
Watch the 2026/2027 VEX IQ Robotics Challenge “LEVEL UP” here: (this will take you to YouTube)
Parent Participation:
Parents choose to help their kids meet as a team outside of class to practice and may choose to register their team and facilitate their kids going to competitions if they so choose.
Additional fees (optional):
Vex IQ team registration: $200 (group of 4). Competitions typically cost $50-60 per team x 6-7 competitions per year. Additionally there are costs for regionals and Worlds, should the teams make it to that point.
(These are all optional, for students/teams that choose to do VEX sanctioned competitions outside of class.)
Ready to Build Something Amazing?
FOR FAMILIES:
Find a class and join 5:16 Robotics.
CHOOSE A CLASS & REGISTER
FOR SCHOOLS & CO-OPS:
Interested in bringing 5:16 Robotics to your students? We’d love to talk about partnering with your school or co-op Contact us below!
Have questions? We’d love to hear from you
info@brightlightacademy.net
MORE THAN ROBOTS.
Building Confidence • Curiosity • Community • Character
Build • Code • Compete • Belong