WEST DEPTFORD — South Jersey Robotics’ 11th annual STEAMFest and RobotRun is Saturday, Oct. 10 at Riverwinds Community Center in West Deptford. The annual event is the predominant fundraiser for SJR; a nonprofit STEAM organization that operates in schools and communities in the South Jersey region.
This year’s STEAMFest and Robot Run will be the second taking place on the beautiful grounds of Riverwinds. The course of the run will be winding along the Delaware River. The event will feature activities for children and families, demonstrations from SJR’s Lunatecs 316 robotics team, a Lego contest, and more.
South Jersey Robotics was founded as a nonprofit in 2008 with FIRST Robotics Challenge team the Lunatecs as their cornerstone team. With a mission to inspire young people to be excited by science and technology through mentor-based programs in South Jersey that build life confidence, inspire innovation, develop leaders, and build STEAM skills.
SJR has built a program that serves youth ages six through adulthood, with FIRST Lego League Explore and Challenge along with FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Challenge teams. Along with the many teams SJR supports, they also host annual STEAM camps, the Duel on the Delaware robotics competition, annual FLL regional competition, and trainings and supports for teams throughout the year.
Each year the STEAMFest and Robot Run event raises funds to support the work of SJR. The 5k run and 1 mile walk will begin at 9:30 a.m., and SJR team members, coaches, mentors, siblings, families, and community members will gather to race to the finish. Runners in age categories from children to septigenarians will be awarded medals designed and made by the members of the Lunatecs.
During and after the run there will be activities for all. A highlight of every year is the Gloucester County Bomb Squad’s robot demonstration, as well as a demo from the Lunatecs of the robot that made its way to the World Championship in Houston last season.
Local college engineering programs will be present, as well as local businesses. SJR Challenge teams with students ages 9-14 are tasked with creating STEAM activities for attendees of the festival. Children can be seen digging for treasure, trying their hand at creating the best paper airplane, and building Lego pulley systems.
A favorite portion of STEAMFest is the Lego building competition, where children bring a Lego scene of their own creation to be judged. This year’s theme is “Fall,” and winners in each age category will win a Lego set.
Funds raised during STEAMFest and Robot Run will support the efforts of SJR through the year. In 2025, this included helping two SJR teams, FRC Lunatecs and FLL Team L.I.T., to the FIRST World Championship in Houston. To sign up to participate in the Robot Run at Riverwinds, go to sjrobotics.com.
