SoLA Robotics, in partnership with Baldwin Bethany Community Development Corporation, presented SoLA CON 2025: Brick City on Feb. 15, an immersive STEM conference designed to spark creativity, inspire young minds, and highlight the boundless possibilities of technology.
Held at the Bethany Campus in South Los Angeles, this interactive youth and family robotics event provided students, parents, and educators a platform to explore the future of engineering, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
“Exposure is everything,” said Jen García, an AI literacy advocate and instructor at the event. “When students and parents see what’s possible, they begin to dream bigger. AI and robotics are shaping the future, and we want our community to be at the forefront of that evolution.”
Families participated in engaging workshops where they built robots, programmed AI-driven applications, and explored interactive exhibits showcasing the latest advancements in engineering. The event also featured vendor booths highlighting various S.T.E.M.-focused programs and resources available to the South LA community.
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SoLA Robotics Executive Director and Founder Jennifer Lashley spoke about the mission behind the event, which she launched six years ago to address the lack of robotics and STEM education in underrepresented communities.
“When I first started coaching robotics teams, there was very little conversation happening around S.T.E.M. in our schools,” Lashley explained. She wanted to create something that was open to the public, where kids and families could engage in learning, build robots, and see themselves in tech careers.
In addition to the hands-on robotics experience, the event served as a networking hub, bringing together educators, industry professionals, and students to discuss the intersection of technology and community development.
The conference also welcomed a diverse lineup of exhibitors and educators, including Colisha Turner of Fun Station LA, who introduced students to gymnastics to build physical and mental agility.
“A simple back tuck could earn a student a scholarship to a top university,” she explained, reinforcing the idea that success comes in many forms.
Additionally, community leaders like Rod Miles emphasized the importance of representation in STEM, ensuring that Black and Brown students see themselves as future engineers, scientists, and tech innovators.
As Rod Miles noted, “If we don’t create these opportunities, how can we expect our young people to step into these fields? It’s about providing access, inspiration, and the right tools to succeed.”
Beyond the excitement of SoLA CON 2025, SoLA Robotics is gearing up for another major event later this year—the SoLA Youth Showdown, a citywide robotics competition set to take place on May 17, 2025.
“I always tell people our robotics competition is not like any of the competitions you’ve ever seen,” Lashley said excitedly.
“We really turn up. We teach our kids how to build the robots and how to program them, and they come together and do an amazing competition.”
With continued funding, resources, and community support, SoLA Robotics is determined to make STEM education an accessible and exciting journey for every student in South Los Angeles.
For more information on upcoming events and how to get involved, visit solarobotics.org.
