The GEARS Youth Robotics Center Story

Building Updates

Granger Exploration and Robotics Studio (“GEARS”) is an Indiana youth robotics center located at 200 Lincolnway West, Osceola, Indiana serving students in grades 2 through 12 in the FIRST Indiana Robotics community.

GEARS opened in June 2015 in a refurbished barn in downtown Granger, Indiana. GEARS thrived for years in that space, serving thousands of students before moving to a larger space in Elkhart, Indiana in 2019.

GEARS spent three years in the bigger space before deciding to make another change – more space, a more central location, and a chance to build a brand new youth robotics center from scratch.

In July 2023, GEARS moved into a space in Osceola, Indiana. This new space was a blank canvas, and has been entirely designed, built, and furnished by volunteers from the community. This new space will include customized spaces for FIRST Lego League teams and FIRST Tech Challenge teams, ensuring students have all of the tools they need to thrive in our community center and in FIRST Indiana Robotics.

GEARS is celebrating 8 years this year, and plans to celebrate many many more!

Our Top Donors

  • Big C
  • Rollie Williams Paintspot
  • Gates Foundation
  • Southwire Bremen Plant
  • Ace Builders, Nappanee Indiana
  • Kemp Electric, Nappanee Indiana