Fremont Students Get Hands-On STEM Learning Experience Thanks to DoorDash

FREMONT, Calif. - A Fremont middle school class celebrated completion of the DoorDash Robotics Academy, a robotics education program that brings cutting-edge autonomy into the classroom, with a special graduation ceremony yesterday. A collaboration between Fremont Unified School District's Horner Middle School and DoorDash, the program is designed to spark curiosity about STEM career paths through applied, real-world robotics concepts and hands-on learning experiences with Dot, DoorDash's autonomous delivery robot. Students also received certificates of recognition from the office of Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan.

"Fremont is proud to support programs like the DoorDash Dot Robotics Academy that connect students to the future of innovation happening right here in our city" said Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan. "By giving young people hands-on experience with robotics, autonomous technology, and real-world problem-solving, we are helping inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and strengthening Fremont's role as a hub for innovation and opportunity. We are grateful for strong partners like DoorDash and Fremont Unified School District for making these meaningful learning opportunities possible for our students."

As part of the program, Horner Middle School received a custom hardware kit, technical support, educator guides, and a grant funded by DoorDash. All robotics materials, designed with Sphero, can be used in future classes as well. This school year, the program was implemented in an "Introduction to Python" class led by veteran STEM educator Jason Whalley.

The program gave students a window into how autonomous technology "thinks," makes decisions, and operates in everyday environments. By connecting classroom lessons to technology already operating in their community, the Robotics Academy helps make STEM concepts feel tangible, relevant, and exciting, and sparks curiosity about future related careers.

"When Dot comes to a community, it brings more than deliveries - here in Fremont, it brings a new learning resource too. Real-world examples brought to life by the DoorDash Robotics Academy programming make abstract, complex concepts like autonomy easier to both teach and learn in the classroom," said Sueli Shaw, Director of Sustainability and Community Impact at DoorDash.

In each of the lessons, students also engaged with career connections that paired insights from real DoorDash employees with relevant learning concepts. For example, one module included a hardware designer sharing how Dot's functionality affected its physical design, and in another, a mechanical engineer discussed how to determine the appropriate sensor technology Dot needs to navigate cars, bikes, and pedestrians.

"DoorDash's Robotics Academy was an invaluable opportunity for my students to get hands-on experience with autonomy and robotics," said Jason Whalley, Horner Middle School Teacher and STEM Educator. "With Dot, not only did they get to see how a real-world autonomous robot works firsthand, but also how it is built right here in Fremont, helping them envision themselves in that career. I am already seeing their curiosity in STEM grow and can't wait to see how they apply their learnings as they advance their academic and career pathways."

Students who participated in the program had the opportunity to tour Sonic Manufacturing Technologies in Fremont last week, where Dot is manufactured, and participate in a career discussion led by DoorDash Co-Founder Stanley Tang. Students were able to see Dot in person and gain exposure to the process that brings Dot to life.

The Fremont DoorDash Robotics Academy builds on the program's first completed session in Mesa, Arizona. Dot will start deploying for future commercial use in Fremont through a phased rollout designed in partnership with the City.