About Us

Buffalo Engineering and Robotics Society (BEARS) serves as the independent parent organizational umbrella to introduce robotics and other science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics to residents of The Villages, FL and the surrounding area. BEARS will solicit contributions from the public to fund and coordinate the various robotics/STEM efforts and provide challenging fun filled events to excite others about STEM fields using robotics as its core base. BEARS is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes.

The Villages Charter Schools has approved Robotics in the Buffalo Adventures After School Program! BEARS started with SuGO in the Fall of 2015. BEARS introduced FIRST^® Lego League in January of 2016. We have formalized an FLL Team that will start in August 2016 for the 2016/2017/2018 competition seasons. BEARS will continue with SuGO for those students who want to try robotics to see if they like it.

The Villages Charter Schools High School started a Robotics Club for the 2016/2017 school year. BEARS met with the High School to discuss the FIRST^® continuum. They will use FIRST^® Tech Challenge (FTC) as the base of the Robotics Club. Unfortunately, this team was dissolved in October 2018 due to lack of school support.

Any fees associated with the above programs will go exclusively to cover the costs of the program itself. Please see the NOTE below regarding the independence of BEARS.

The overall objective of BEARS is to introduce robotics to Villagers and the surrounding area. Building excitement about robotics will allow BEARS to raise funds as required to perpetually fund robotics in the area on an ongoing basis. Please reference The Plan for details on how this will be done.

BEARS has filed their Articles of Incorporation with the Department of State in Florida and has been approved a 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.

NOTE: It is important that BEARS is completely independent of any of the local schools or other organizations. This allows BEARS to accomplish its mission by creating individual unique relationships with the local schools, clubs and organizations tailored to each of their independent and unique needs. It also allows BEARS to further its mission at local recreation centers and clubs (Boys Club, Girls Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc.) without impacting other organizations in any form or fashion.