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Zebra Robotics
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Zebra Robotics / Waterloo

Waterloo’s Premier
STEM Learning
Lab.

Robotics · Coding · AI · Technology · Engineering

Hands-on Robotics, Coding, AI, Technology and Engineering programs in Waterloo for grades 1–12, taught in small groups by experienced coaches.

Book a Free Trial Browse Waterloo Programs
  • grades 1–12 Programs
  • 4–6 Students per coach
  • 22 Learning streams in Waterloo
  • 10 Camps offered
  • Free one-hour Trial class

Visit the Lab

620 Davenport Rd, Unit 5-6 Waterloo, Ontario N2V 2C2519-888-1000Mon–Fri 4pm–8pm · Sat 10am–3pm
Students steering their robot through an obstacle course at a Zebra Robotics lab

Why Families Choose Zebra Waterloo

Built for how
kids actually learn.

Robotics, coding, AI and engineering classes in Waterloo for grades 1–12 — designed around how children build skill and confidence, one level at a time.

  • Small Classes

    4–6 students per coach means more hands-on time and individual attention.

  • Experienced Coaches

    Coaches with backgrounds in computer science, robotics and engineering.

  • Hands-On Learning

    Real robots, real code and real projects — not worksheets.

  • Structured Pathways

    Students progress step by step from beginner to advanced.

  • Competition Opportunities

    Put new skills to the test through exciting team competitions.

  • A Community That Stays

    Students learn, compete, lead and eventually mentor others.

Explore Our Programs

Three ways to learn.
One place to grow.

Weekly robotics, coding, AI & technology classes, school-break camps and competitive teams — for every age and level from grades 1 to 12, at the Zebra Robotics Waterloo innovation lab.

Learning Pathways

What your child learns:
one passion, three pathways.

Every Zebra Robotics Waterloo course is part of a structured learning stream for grades 1–12. Instead of taking one-off classes, students build skills progressively — from beginner foundations to advanced projects and challenges.

Robotics

Design. Build. Innovate.

From simple machines to autonomous robots, students develop engineering, design and problem-solving skills through hands-on projects and real-world challenges.

Explore robotics classes in Waterloo

Coding & AI

Create with Code. Think with AI.

Students progress from programming fundamentals to game development, Python, AI and machine learning — building the skills to create with tomorrow's technologies.

Explore coding & AI classes in Waterloo

Where Zebra Students Go

From our classes
to their campus.

The students who grew up in Zebra labs are now in engineering and computer science programs across Ontario. In their own words, here is what stuck.

  • Nikhil

    University of TorontoEngineering Science

    “I saw the results of my own work in competition environments. That really opened my mind to what was possible, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

    7+ years at Zebra · FLL, WRO, VEX

    Read Nikhil’s story

  • Srijay

    University of WaterlooMechatronics Engineering

    “The challenges pushed us to learn new things every year, and I always enjoyed competing against other teams.”

    6 years at Zebra · WRO, FLL

    Read Srijay’s story

  • Jui

    University of WaterlooSoftware Engineering

    “After a month or two, surprisingly, I absolutely fell in love with it and decided I wanted to become a software engineer instead.”

    Started coding in grade 10 · Volunteered as a coach

    Read Jui’s story

  • Javin

    University of WaterlooComputer Science

    “I could do things I did not have the opportunity to do in my school.”

    5 years at Zebra · EV3, FLL, Java

    Read Javin’s story

  • Rajath

    University of TorontoComputer Science · Dean’s List

    “With perseverance, practice and sincerity anyone can become a programmer.”

    3 years as a student · Then a Zebra coach

    Read Rajath’s story

All alumni stories on the Zebra blog Quotes are verbatim from each graduate’s interview.

Learning in the AI Era

New tools.
Strong foundations.

If AI can generate answers and write code, why should children learn STEM, robotics and coding? Because understanding helps them ask better questions, test ideas and make sense of the results.

STEM gives children practice reasoning with evidence. Robotics turns ideas into something they can build, measure and improve. Coding helps them understand the instructions behind the technology and work out what needs to change.

At Zebra, students develop these foundations through hands-on projects, one challenge at a time — building the understanding to create thoughtfully with the tools of today and tomorrow.

Interview · Nationwide 90 FM, Jamaica · 1:19

“There is a need to understand programming.”

Prof. Jonathan Kelly

Director, STARS Lab, University of Toronto
Zebra Robotics Advisory Board member

From the interview

What skills help students get the most from AI?

Prof. Kelly points first to mathematics and programming. Those foundations help students understand how AI tools work, use them with judgment and recognize their limits.

If AI can write code, why learn programming?

AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude can produce remarkable results from a prompt. But students still need to understand programming to know what the generated code does and whether it works as intended.

What is the risk of using AI without the fundamentals?

Students can end up relying on something an AI tool built that they do not fully understand — and miss serious limitations in what it produced.

How Learning Works

Simple rhythm.
Serious progress.

Weekly STEM classes in Waterloo run on a rhythm families can plan around — a fixed day and time, experienced coaches, and a structured, self-paced curriculum that keeps every student progressing.

Classes
WeeklyClassesMost students attend once a week, with consistent learning turning each class into steady progress.
Students per coach
4–6Students per coachSmall groups mean more hands-on time, individual attention and support when students need it.
Learning pathways
3Learning pathwaysRobotics, Coding & AI, and Technology & Engineering — each with courses that build skills step by step.
Learning
Year-roundLearningWeekday and Saturday classes throughout the year, with camps during school breaks. Students can start anytime.

Learning continues beyond the lab. Enrolled students can access course materials and track their progress through Zebra’s digital learning platform. Parents are encouraged to connect with their child’s coach anytime for updates and to see their progress firsthand.

The Competitive Edge

Real competitions.
Real achievement.

Students at Zebra Robotics Waterloo take what they learn in class and put it to the test. From first-time competitors to championship teams, Zebra students compete in STRIPE, FIRST LEGO League, FTC, VEX and WRO — building teamwork, confidence and real-world problem-solving skills along the way.

  • STRIPE
  • First Lego League
  • FTC
  • VEX
  • WRO
Explore Competitions Ask about competition teams in Waterloo
A competitor with his hands on his head, watching his robot run the Ride Rush course
Three teammates in Ride Rush shirts building at the competition table
Two students leaning over the table to set their robot on the mat
A coach and three teammates watching a run at the competition table
A competitor lining his robot up on the mat before a run
Two teammates smiling as their robot completes a run
A competitor working on a LEGO build away from the tables
A competitor watching her robot make its way along the course
Two competitors in Ride Rush shirts giving a thumbs up between matches
Judges and volunteers gathered around a Ride Rush competition table
Moments from the floor · STRIPE Internationals

Waterloo Parents Say

Don’t take
our word for it.

Families who send their children to our Waterloo lab, in their own words.

  • “Our son has been attending Zebra Robotics Waterloo since January 2026, and he absolutely loves it.”

    Read the full review
    “Our son has been attending Zebra Robotics Waterloo since January 2026, and he absolutely loves it. The centre provides a very positive, enriching and supportive atmosphere. Viktar and Sveta are always present, genuinely committed to supporting each student, and consistently go above and beyond for the children. The coaches are excellent—patient, encouraging, caring and highly skilled. They help the children grow, try new things, and stay motivated. Our son, along with his teammates, has already participated in competitions and is planning to take part in more in the future. In preparation for competitions, the children are invited to come and practice and develop their skills outside of regular class time. These additional trial and practice sessions truly demonstrate the centre’s commitment to the children’s learning and growth. Everything is very well organized, and the overall environment is friendly, supportive, and motivating. Our son has become deeply interested in coding and robotics and has already learned a great deal. We are very grateful for the dedication, care, and professionalism of the entire Zebra Robotics Waterloo team, and we highly recommend this program to other families.”
    Takhmina S · Parent · Waterloo

  • “My 7-year-old son absolutely loves classes at Zebra Robotics! The lessons are engaging and well-structured, he's learning so much while genuinely having fun.”

    Read the full review
    “My 7-year-old son absolutely loves classes at Zebra Robotics! The lessons are engaging and well-structured, he's learning so much while genuinely having fun. What's impressed me most is how the program builds independence and confidence, while still fostering a real sense of teamwork. The best indicator? He never wants to leave when class is over! Highly recommend for any parent looking to give their child a head start in coding and technology.”
    Masha K · Parent · Waterloo

  • “My son is very engaged with the robotics lessons, he looks forward to the classes every week.”

    Read the full review
    “My son is very engaged with the robotics lessons, he looks forward to the classes every week. The curriculum is well thought through and lets the kids build confidence step by step. The owners are very passionate to make sure all kids are happy”
    Renat G · Parent · Waterloo

Read more Google reviews

Zebra Waterloo · Common Questions

Parents in Waterloo
ask us.

What ages do you offer robotics, coding & AI, and technology classes for in Waterloo?

Zebra Robotics Waterloo offers programs for grades 1–12, roughly ages 6–18. Younger students can start with LEGO-based robotics and block coding, then progress into more advanced robotics, coding, AI, Python, and technology & engineering. Classes run year-round, so new students can start at any time.

How many students are in a class at Zebra Robotics Waterloo?

Classes typically have 4–6 students per coach, depending on the program. Our curriculum is self-paced, so students progress at their own pace with dedicated equipment for hands-on learning.

What robotics, coding & AI, and technology classes do you offer in Waterloo?

Zebra Robotics Waterloo offers learning streams across robotics, coding & AI, technology & engineering, and chess. Options vary by grade and experience. Featured learning streams currently include: Robotics Engineer I, Robotics Engineer II, STEM Enthusiasts I 2.0 and Self Driving Vehicle. Visit our Classes page to explore current offerings, grade ranges and weekly class times.

STEM programs in Waterloo

When are classes offered at Zebra Robotics Waterloo?

Our Waterloo lab is open Mon–Fri 4pm–8pm · Sat 10am–3pm. Multiple class times are available throughout the week. Visit our Classes page for current schedules or contact our Waterloo team at 519-888-1000.

STEM programs in Waterloo

Do you offer STEM camps in Waterloo during school breaks?

Yes. Zebra Robotics Waterloo offers robotics, coding, AI and technology camps during school breaks. Camp options vary by season and grade. Visit the Waterloo Camps page to see upcoming camps, dates, pricing and availability or contact our Waterloo team at 519-888-1000.

See Waterloo camp dates

Does my child need prior experience in robotics, coding, AI or technology to join classes in Waterloo?

No. Students can start with or without prior experience. Our curriculum is self-paced, and our Waterloo team will help identify the appropriate starting point based on your child’s grade and experience.

Can my child try a class for free in Waterloo?

Yes. New students can experience Zebra with a free one-hour trial class. Request a trial online and our Waterloo team will help match your child with an appropriate class and arrange a trial time. No payment information is required.

What competition opportunities are available to students in Waterloo?

Zebra Robotics students participate in competitions including STRIPE Competition, FIRST LEGO League, World Robot Olympiad (WRO), FTC and VEX. Competition opportunities vary by location, age and season. Contact our Waterloo team to learn which teams and competitions are currently available.

Ask about competition teams in Waterloo

Read every question about Zebra Robotics classes

Ready to Join?

Your first session
is on us.

Give your child a chance to experience Zebra with a free one-hour trial class at our Waterloo lab. They'll get hands-on with robotics, coding, AI and technology while you meet our coaches and explore the lab. No commitment.

  1. Request a time

    Tell us your child's age, interests and preferred time. It only takes a couple of minutes.

  2. We confirm it

    Our team will confirm your trial time and recommend the right starting level for your child.

  3. Come and build

    Your child gets a hands-on Zebra experience while you meet the coaches, see the lab and learn more about our programs.

Book a Free Trial in Waterloo Browse the Waterloo class scheduleContact Zebra Waterloo

620 Davenport Rd, Unit 5-6 Waterloo, Ontario N2V 2C2 · Get directions to Zebra Robotics Waterloo

Book a Free Trial in Waterloo