Foundation for Community Driven Innovation
Making the FutureFCDI PROGRAMS
Diverse, yet connected, all FCDI programs are geared toward supporting our overall mission of aiding and inspiring academic achievement, economic development and the spirit of innovation.
The Tampa Bay Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics Center (AMRoc) Fab Lab
The Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics Center (AMRoC) Fab Lab, located at 2154 University Square Mall, is a public Fab Lab founded and run by FCDI. It is dedicated to building capacity in the University Area community, empowering individuals through creative self-expression and bridging the manufacturing and industry talent gap through robust project-based engineering education and training.
At AMRoC, people of all ages can
- Explore science, technology, engineering, manufacturing and related education and career skill building opportunities
- Have access to a workshop with wide variety of power and hand tools
- Learn about design, 3D printing and prototyping
- Enjoy robotics and other experiential science, tech and arts programs
- Access entrepreneurial support and networking resources.
AMRoC Fab Lab
NEW! HCPS-FCDI STEM Center
The HCPS-FCDI STEM Center at Adams Middle School is a programatic space currently available to Hillsborough County schools and students through scheduled calendar events and programs. Visit HCPS-FCDI STEM Center at Adams MS | AMRoC or email Info@ffcdi.org for more information.
Collaborative Hillsborough County Public Schools and FCDI Mechatronics Education Space
New in 2026, by agreement with Hillsborough County Public Schools and in partnership with Middleton Robotics and their students, along with FCDIs FRC team 5276 the Edgar Allan Ohms, the new HCPS-FCDI STEM Center at Adams Middle School houses FCDI’s big FIRST Robotics Competition field, as well as FIRST Tech Challenge REC Foundation VEX and Aerial Drone Competition fields.
In addition to serving as competition, education and practice space for middle and high school competitive robotics and drone programs, the STEM Center supports the development of elementary robotics and mechatronics education programming, as well as providing professional development opportunities for Hillsborough County teachers and educators statewide, training for robotics program volunteers, coaches and mentors, and serve as the new home of ROBOTICON Tampa Bay.
Equity in Entrepreneurship – Equinent – aims to help bridge the race and gender equity gap in early stage entrepreneurship access in the Tampa Bay startup ecosystem. In one year, Equinent has helped launch and relaunch over 50 new businesses since 2020. Equinent is made possible through the collaborative support of local area business leaders, and funders like Florida Business Development Corporation and Truist.
Equinent
ROBOTICON!
ROBOTICON Tampa Bay is our annual STEAM Powered Sport for the Mind!
Designed to increase public awareness of and engagement in the power of hands-on project-based learning, ROBOTICON is a high energy off-season competition and STEAM showcase for youth robotics teams, alumni and volunteers from around Florida, the U.S. and worldwide. ROBOTICON provides participating students with a low stress, high-quality competition with opportunities for skill building, networking, and college and career readiness experiences.
A Showcase of Community Creativity!
Gulf Coast MakerCon is an opportunity for everyone to join together to share resources, learn a craft, hone their skills, find career and academic opportunities, try new tools and innovations, and much more.
Gulf Coast MakerCon
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