MMA Middle School Cadets Build Autonomous Maze Vehicles in PLTW Robotics Program

Seventh- and eighth-grade cadets at Missouri Military Academy are gaining hands-on engineering experience through the school’s Project Lead The Way (PLTW) robotics program, where students are designing and programming autonomous vehicles. Watch the video below for a glimpse into the robotics classroom.

Instructor Chris Schafer '89 said the current middle school robotics class includes 10 cadets. Their latest project challenges students to build vehicles capable of navigating a maze without human control.

The vehicles rely on vision sensors that detect colors and trigger programmed responses, allowing the robots to move through the course autonomously.

MMA is a PLTW school, offering its robotics curriculum to middle school students as part of the nationally recognized STEM program. 

In addition to the class, MMA has introduced an Engineering Society this year, expanding opportunities for students interested in robotics and autonomous systems. The society includes both middle and high school teams working on advanced projects.

Four middle school teams will participate in the upcoming PLTW Innovation Solutions and Showcase event at Missouri University of Science and Technology on April 21, 2026. While those teams will present their work in a non-competitive capacity, a high school team from MMA will compete for a $1,200 cash prize with its project, an autonomous flying wing.

The expansion of robotics and engineering activities reflects MMA’s continued emphasis on STEM education through its PLTW programming, providing cadets with practical experience in coding, design and problem-solving.