Meet Our Incredible Instructors!

Forget apples falling from trees, these STEM superstars fell in love with robots!

Our instructors aren’t your average teenagers – they’re the real deal, armed with the knowledge (and maybe a few cool gadgets) to ignite a passion for STEM in your child. So, buckle up, get ready to code, and prepare to be amazed by the incredible minds behind our robotics programs!

Don Gronning

Don Gronning

“Mr. G” – Don Gronning is the founder and president of Robot U.  He developed Robot U in 2013 because he saw a need to provide after-school STEAM options for elementary school students AND provide part-time employment for the skilled and talented High School and University Students who enjoy Robotics and Kids.  He loves to see both the students and the instructors have fun and grow in their skills and confidence.

Markus Hansen

I’m a Sophomore at Mount Si High School.  He’s been creating all sorts of mechanical creations out of Legos and electronics for many years and also holds an extra-class amateur radio license.  He enjoys working at RobotU because it’s fun to help the kids and watch them learn to accomplish a big project they initially thought was impossible.

Umar Siddiqui

I love programming. I like spending my time giving back to the community with the knowledge I have. I coach a FTC Robotics Team, where I help the members design and program the robot. I also work on coding projects on my own time. I have also written 2 papers that have been accepted into an International Computer Science Conference.

Muhammed Alsoliman

I’m a Junior at Woodinville High School and He finds pleasure in using LEGO bricks to construct mechanical creations helping him to pursue a career as an engineer. Muhammed also enjoys working with kids whenever they have questions he is always there to help.

Yousef Kareem

I love sports and physical activities, especially weightlifting. I also love collecting things such as rare cards old lego sets and coins.

Kalen Bennet

I participate in my school’s robotics club, I also enjoy designing and creating things. I enjoy playing games with my friends. I also enjoy cooking.

Milo Bierman

I’m a sophomore at Mount Si High School and is on their Cross Country and Track teams. Legos and electronics played a big role in his childhood, and he enjoys helping kids as they learn and grow through putting pieces together. In his free time, he enjoys editing footage, hiking, running, and playing classical piano.

Fatimah Siddque

I’m a senior at Woodinville high school and I enjoy designing and building things. I like working at Robot U because I get to help teach kids and watch them create amazing robots as they learn and grow. In my free time, I like to read, play badminton, and create a variety of different kinds of art.

Neha Modi

Neha is a senior at Woodinville High School who’s been immersed in the world of FIRST Robotics for 7 years, but she promises she’s not a robot—just someone who loves STEM and having a good time! She’s had a blast learning the ins and outs of robotics, but more than that, she loves cheering on her team and helping younger students discover how fun tech can be. When she’s not at a robotics event, you’ll find her baking something delicious (or at least trying to) or lost in the pages of a good book. She joined Robot U because she’s passionate about working with children and wants to inspire the next generation of innovators while making learning feel like an adventure!  

Nathaniel Dismuke

I’m a senior at Mount Si High who has been in love with Stem since I was not much older than the kids I teach. I am the co-founder and vice-president of my school’s “Data club”, where we analyze trends using AI and statistics in order to form meaningful conclusions. I love to help both the people I tutor and Robot U students because I want them to feel the same sense of joy and accomplishment I have over my life. 

Hedy

Hedy — Hedy is the Robot U transportation vehicle and mascot.  She was named after Hedy Lamarr, the famous film star and inventor — because H. Lamarr was both adorable and brilliant.      

And today, our very own Hedy helps communicate the classes and events of Robot U that inspire the next generation of inventors and engineers!  Follow her on her travels.

Znap

A hard-working robotic gremlin who enjoys scaring both students and instructors