STARTS JANUARY 20, 202701
In-person · Columbus
Build shoulder-to-shoulder with instructors and a small cohort in our founding Columbus robotics lab.
- Wednesdays · 4:30–6:30 PM
- January 20–March 24, 2027
- Maximum 8 students
- Kit and field guide included
01 Columbus starts January 20 · Live online nationwide
Don’t just play with tech.
Engineer it.
A 10-week live engineering journey designed to strengthen each student’s education through concept mastery, hands-on problem solving, and confident technical communication. Young builders wire, code, test, and debug two real systems: a Smart Light and their own Linux computer.
10guided missions
10weekly builds
2machines to keep
LEVEL 1 SMART SYSTEMS LAB
BUILD STATUSREADY TO ASSEMBLE
87%02 One rigorous program, two ways to join
Choose your
engineering lab.
The same kit, field guide, live instruction, missions, and project standards—whether your workbench is in Columbus or at home.
LIVE NATIONWIDE02
Online · Your workbench
Build from home in a live, instructor-led cohort with the complete lab shipped directly to your door.
- Weekly live online instruction
- Small-group troubleshooting
- On-demand mission access
- Kit shipped before class begins
03 A different kind of STEM class
From curious kid
to capable builder.
TYPICAL CODING CLASS
Follow the screen
- Drag-and-drop exercises
- Projects disappear when class ends
- Entertainment-first curriculum
- Parents see a completion badge
VS
PROTOCONIQ LABS
Build the system
- Wire, code, test, and troubleshoot
- Take home two working machines
- Engineering-first curriculum
- Parents see proof of mastery
04 Designed around what families actually need
Eight promises.
Built into the product.
Every part of Protoconiq connects the lesson, the physical build, the instructor, and the family—so progress never disappears behind a screen.
Mastery, not minutes
Every mission names the engineering concept, the evidence required, and the standard for mastery.
One honest price
$795 covers ten live weeks, the seven-module kit, Level 1 workbook, 12 months of platform access, reviews, and portfolio. No required subscription or child-facing upsells.
Prepared instructors
Every instructor follows the same lesson standard, safety checklist, lab guide, and student-support protocol.
Help when hardware fails
A guided diagnostic checks power, wiring, code, sensors, and mechanical assembly one step at a time.
Virtual before physical
Students can wire, code, simulate, introduce faults, and compare the virtual system with their physical kit.
One clear next step
The student dashboard opens on exactly what to do next, with prerequisites and field tests visible.
Trustworthy billing
One-time pricing, clear inclusions, parent-controlled purchases, and no automatic course renewal.
Proof families can see
Weekly summaries combine mastered skills, build evidence, instructor notes, and the next objective.
PIQ
ROBOTICS ENGINEERING KITPROTO–0101ESP32-S3 board
02Smart Light system
03Linux computer
05 The lab comes home
Real components.
Real engineering.
Every component earns its place. Students learn what it does, why it matters, and how it works with the rest of the system.
7Sealed kit modules
1Printed Level 1 workbook
10Weekly engineering builds
2Machines to keep
06 The engineering pathway
Ten weeks. Two complete machines.
Each week follows the published Level 1 course guide in order, and every build becomes part of the next.
03_door_alert.ino
01 buttonState = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);
02 if (buttonState == LOW) {
03 digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
04 } else {
05 digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
06 }WEEK 03 · INPUTS & DECISIONS
Build a Door Alert.
Wire a push button and buzzer, then program the ESP32-S3 to choose between two behaviors.
07 A continuing engineering pathway
Level 1 is where
the system begins.
Students keep their machines, book, and components. Each later level builds on what they already engineered.
Foundations
Circuits, sensing, programming, debugging, the Smart Light, and a Raspberry Pi Linux computer.
10-week Level 1 programMotion & Mechanisms
Motors, PWM, servos, linkages, a chassis, and a mobile robot built on the Level 1 foundation.
Not yet open for enrollmentAutonomous Robotics
Sensors, motion, and decision logic combined into a robot that can choose what to do next.
Not yet open for enrollment07 Evidence, not empty badges
Watch engineering confidence take shape.
Every completed mission produces proof: a tested circuit, a working behavior, a reflection, and a new skill families can see.
AK
ENGINEER PROFILEAlex K.
LEVEL 1Foundation progress6 of 10 weeks
Circuit designPROFICIENT
Inputs & decisionsPROFICIENT
Programming logicDEVELOPING
Technical communicationPROFICIENT
LATEST BUILDAutomatic Night Light✓ Field test passed
08 Choose your build path
Everything they need to start engineering.
Choose Columbus or live online. The complete $795 experience includes the same hardware, curriculum, platform access, and instructor guidance.
FOUNDING COHORT ENROLLMENT OPEN
ENGINEERING
WORKBOOKLEVEL 1
WORKBOOKLEVEL 1
PROTO–01
LAB KIT
LAB KIT
Protoconiq Level 1 Experience
Live instruction, the seven-module hardware kit, engineering workbook, 12 months of platform access, project reviews, and showcase credential.
- ESP32-S3 Smart Light system
- Raspberry Pi Zero Linux computer system
- Printed Level 1 engineering workbook
- 12 months of online platform access
- Instructor feedback and parent progress reports
$795one-time
payment
payment
No required subscriptionOne parent-approved purchase · any applicable taxes and shipping shown before payment
PROTO–01
LAB KIT
LAB KIT
PROTO–01 Level 1 Kit
The seven-module component set for enrolled students who need an additional or replacement kit.
- ESP32-S3 board, breadboard, and circuit parts
- RGB ring, sensor, and Smart Light housing
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2 WH and 3.5-inch display
- Keyboard, power bank, case, and component storage
$329
ENGINEERING
WORKBOOKLEVEL 1
WORKBOOKLEVEL 1
Level 1 Engineering Workbook
The full-color course companion with wiring tables, programs, predictions, experiments, debugging records, and reviews.
- Ten weeks in the exact teaching sequence
- ESP32-S3 and Raspberry Pi activities
- Engineering passport and mastery checks
- System troubleshooting references
$79
Transparent by design: prices shown are one-time purchases. No automatic course renewal. Any applicable shipping and taxes are shown before a parent authorizes payment.
09 Frequently asked questions
Before you
start building.
Is Protoconiq Labs online or in person?+
Both. Join the flagship in-person Columbus cohort or a live online cohort from anywhere in the United States. Both formats use the same kit, field guide, missions, and project standards.
Is this a recurring subscription?+
No automatic subscription is required. Level 1 is a one-time purchase and includes 12 months of platform access. After that year, a parent may choose $249 annual access, $25 month-to-month access, or enrollment in the next level, which includes renewed platform access.
What happens if a build does not work?+
That is part of the course. Students use a guided diagnostic to check power, wiring, code, inputs, and outputs one change at a time, then record the evidence.
What does the $795 program include?+
The complete experience includes ten weeks of live instruction, the seven-module take-home kit, the Level 1 engineering workbook, 12 months of platform access, project reviews, and a completion credential.
What comes after Level 1?+
The curriculum continues into Level 2: Motion & Mechanisms and Level 3: Autonomous Robotics. Both later levels are currently in development and are not yet open for enrollment.
When does the Columbus cohort meet?+
The founding Columbus cohort meets Wednesdays from 4:30–6:30 PM, January 20 through March 24, 2027—ten consecutive sessions that finish before spring break.
Where will the Columbus cohort meet?+
Enrollment is open. The exact Columbus-area address will be sent to enrolled families before the first session. Contact hello@protoconiq.com before purchasing if location affects attendance.
What does the student keep?+
Both finished machines: the ESP32-S3 Smart Light and the Raspberry Pi Zero Linux computer, plus the workbook and reusable components.
THE NEXT GREAT ENGINEER IS ALREADY CURIOUS.Give them something