Flatline Robotics
STEM
Crate
Design & Manufacturing Workshop
Research. Prototype. Write. Package. Sell. — Build a real product, not just a project.
8 Weeks · 2 Hrs/Wk
Recurring — New Theme Each Cycle
Your Crate Goes on Sale
The Concept
Students function as a real product team to design, prototype, test, document, package, and manufacture a STEM Crate — a boxed kit with 2–3 hands-on projects, printed instructions, and all materials. The finished crate becomes a real product for sale in the Flatline Robotics store. Each 8-week cycle produces a new crate around a new theme.
8-Week Roadmap
1
Market Research & Theme Selection
Unbox competitor crates. Analyze pricing. Brainstorm & pick a theme.
2
Prototype Project 1
Build the first project. Cost it. Simplify for the end user.
3
Prototype Projects 2 & 3
Complete all projects. Finalize the BOM. Lock pricing.
4
Instructions & Photography
Write step-by-step guides. Shoot every build step. Peer review.
5
Quality Assurance Testing
Blind build test: can a stranger build it from the instructions alone?
6
Packaging & Branding
Box art, insert cards, marketing copy, unboxing experience design.
7
Production Run
Assembly line: count, bag, pack, QC. Build 10–20 real crates.
8
Launch, Pitch & Celebrate
Pitch to the panel. Live unboxing demo. Product goes on sale!
Team Roles (Rotate Each Cycle)
Lead Engineer Technical Writer Packaging Designer Quality Tester Cost Analyst
Crate Retail Price Target
$29.95 – $34.95
Competitive with KiwiCo, CrunchLabs & STEM Discovery Boxes.
BOM target: $8–$14/crate · 50–65% gross margin.
This Isn't a Class Project — It's a Real Product
The crate your team designs goes on sale in the Flatline Robotics store. Real customers buy it. Real kids build it. You get credit as the designers. Each cycle adds a new crate to the catalog.
Skills You'll Build
  • Product design & prototyping
  • Bill of materials & cost analysis
  • Technical writing & documentation
  • Graphic design & packaging
  • Quality assurance & blind testing
  • Assembly line manufacturing
  • Pitch presentations & public speaking
  • Entrepreneurship & pricing strategy
Sample Crate Themes
Electric Machines Sensors & Signals Light & Optics Mechanical Advantage Sound Science Robot Basics Code & Create Bridge & Structure
Good to Know
  • At least one prior Flatline workshop required
  • Take it multiple times — new theme each cycle
  • Small team: 6–10 students per cycle
  • All prototyping materials & tools provided
  • Students receive credit for each crate sold
Design a product. Build it. Ship it. Sell it.
The most entrepreneurial workshop at Flatline Robotics.
Register →