Golden State Robotics
Building the next generation of problem solvers.
Golden State Robotics is a California nonprofit in formation. We help students in grades K through 8 build coding, problem solving, and engineering confidence using hands-on technology they can program and understand. Our first program is a drone coding pilot for 3rd graders in 2027.
Programs
Hands-on tools, one clear mission.
Our mission stays the same: give students meaningful hands-on experience with coding and problem solving. We are starting with one grade and one program, and growing toward grades K through 8 as our curriculum, staffing, and funding allow.
Drone Coding
Launching 2027 · Pilot for Grade 3 only
A small founding cohort uses visual, block-based code to plan, test, and run missions with lightweight indoor drones.
Brick-Based Robotics
In development
We are exploring a second program built around block coding and snap-together robotics kits. It will be announced only once funding and curriculum are in place.
Our founding program
The 2027 Drone Coding Pilot
A small founding cohort of 3rd graders will take part in 2027. What we learn will shape every program that follows.
Who it’s for
The first cohort is for 3rd grade students only. Expanding to serve grades K through 8 is our long term goal.
What students do
Students use visual, block-based code to plan, test, debug, and run programs that make a real drone take off, navigate, and land.
What they learn
Age-appropriate lessons in coding, sequencing, logic, spatial reasoning, and debugging, taught through real drone missions.
When it starts
The pilot begins in 2027. Families on the interest list hear about it first, and we will share the details as they are set.
Safety by design
The program is being designed around small, lightweight drones intended for indoor use, small groups, structured flight procedures, and adult supervision.
Why drones first
A visible result for every line of code.
Drones also do real work in firefighting, search and rescue, farming, mapping, and entertainment. It is an early, age-appropriate introduction to the coding and problem solving behind real technology.
Problem-solving
Every program and every flight is a chance to test, observe, and debug.
Collaboration
Students work in teams to plan, test, and improve drone missions together.
Confidence
Watching code you wrote make a real drone move turns an abstract idea into a first win.
Early exposure to STEM
Drones are used in emergency response, agriculture, mapping, construction, and media, so the ideas connect to real work.
About us
Why we’re building this.
Science gets very little time in the early grades
In the most recent national survey to measure this, students in grades K through 2 averaged 17 minutes of science instruction per day, and students in grades 3 to 5 averaged 23 minutes. Reading and math each got three to five times as much.1
And it is often not hands-on
In that same survey, fewer than half of science classes did any hands-on or laboratory activity in their most recent lesson. That held true in elementary classes (47%) and middle school classes (46%) alike.1
Our approach
Drones are an engaging, hands-on way to teach coding and engineering thinking to young students, combining visual coding, problem solving, and the immediate feedback of flight.
Starting small, on purpose
Our first cohort is intentionally small, a pilot program for 3rd graders launching in 2027, so we can learn, refine, and grow responsibly from there.
Where we are now
Building toward our 2027 pilot
We are early, and we would rather show you exactly where we stand than imply we are further along than we are.
Forming the organization
Golden State Robotics is incorporating as a California nonprofit. Our application for 501(c)(3) recognition is pending.
Building the founding board
We are recruiting board members with backgrounds in education, youth programs, nonprofit governance, and STEM.
Curriculum, safety, and equipment selection
Selecting and adapting an established curriculum aligned to education standards, along with safety procedures and equipment for our first cohort.
The 2027 Drone Coding Pilot launches
Our founding cohort of 3rd graders writes code that makes real drones fly.
Measure what happened, then share it
We plan to track student engagement, family and educator feedback, how well our safety procedures held up, and growth in coding confidence. We will publish what we learn, including what does not work.
Refine and expand
We use what we learn from the first cohort to reach more students, more grade levels, and more classrooms.
Get involved
There are many ways to help.
Golden State Robotics is still forming, and every family, school, and supporter who joins us now helps shape what we build.
For Families
Join our interest list to follow the pilot as it takes shape. It is not an application and does not reserve a seat.
For Schools
Interested in bringing this program to your students? We would love to talk with you.
For Supporters
Early gifts help fund curriculum selection and adaptation, equipment, safety planning, and the work required to launch a small first cohort.
Our team
Founding team
Golden State Robotics is founded by Glenn Gonda, a software engineer, instructor, and mentor building the program around real coding practice, age-appropriate instruction, and hands-on technical problem solving. We are assembling our founding board now. If you have experience in education, youth programs, nonprofit governance, finance, or STEM, we would love to talk.
Support our mission
Help build the foundation for what we're creating.
Early gifts help fund curriculum selection and adaptation, drone equipment, safety planning, and the work required to launch a small first cohort. We will share progress as those decisions are made.
Secure online giving is coming soon, once our giving process is in place. For now, email us to give. Golden State Robotics is a California nonprofit in formation and our application for 501(c)(3) recognition is pending. Please consult a tax adviser about the treatment of any contribution.
Stay connected
Join the interest list or get in touch.
Our 2027 pilot is planned for a small founding cohort of 3rd graders. Joining the interest list keeps you updated and helps us gauge interest. It is not an application, does not reserve a seat, and does not guarantee participation. Schools, donors, and prospective board members can use the same form.
Sources
- 2018 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education (NSSME+), Horizon Research, Inc., 2019, elementary and middle school reports. Based on a national probability sample of public and private schools. Horizon Research is conducting the next round in 2027.Back to text