This year, Baldwin’s Computer Science & Engineering (CS&E) program just got a serious tech boost with a new Upper School Robotics Club and a Robotics collaboration with The Shipley School. And to lead these exciting offerings is Brendan O’Malley, the newest member of Baldwin’s CS&E department. With a cross-country résumé that includes teaching stints in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles, Mr. O’Malley brings not only expertise in robotics and engineering but a deep passion for helping students discover the magic of hands-on learning.

 

“I’ve always been fascinated by how things work,” Mr. O’Malley explains. “Computer science and robotics bring engineering to life. It’s creative, it’s collaborative, and most importantly — it’s fun.”

 

Mr. O’Malley believes that students learn best by doing. “Robotics is not just about memorizing formulas or writing code. It’s about trial and error, building and rebuilding, and learning to persevere when things don’t go right the first time,” he says. “I try to create a classroom culture where mistakes are celebrated as part of the process, because that’s how true innovation happens.”

Beyond technical skills like coding and engineering, students learn valuable skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and resilience. Robotics also teaches them how to communicate ideas clearly, work as a team under deadlines, and think outside-the-box — skills that are invaluable in any future career.

Mr. O’Malley is teaching Baldwin’s Middle School CS&E classes and leading the new Upper School robotics club, as well as being the co-head of the joint robotics program with Shipley, a collaboration that builds cross-school teamwork.

 

“No prior experience is required for these robotics programs,” he says. “If you’re curious, willing to learn, and love a good challenge, there’s a place for you on the team. We’ll teach you everything you need to know. Robotics is about teamwork, so whether you’re interested in design, coding, writing, or even storytelling and outreach, there’s a role for you. The only requirement is curiosity and a willingness to try.”

 

Robotics isn’t just about coding (although there’s plenty of that, too). It’s about building, failing, laughing, collaborating, trying again, and ultimately creating something real from scratch. “It’s organized chaos,” Mr. O’Malley laughs, describing a typical robotics session. “You’ll see groups sketching out design ideas, others working on coding, and some troubleshooting mechanical parts. There’s lots of collaboration, brainstorming, and problem-solving. The energy is high, and every session feels like a mix of a lab, a workshop, and a think tank.”

 

Baldwin students have already made a strong impression. “They’re fearless,” Mr. O’Malley says. “They don’t shy away from challenges, and they’re eager to dive into new technologies even if it’s outside their comfort zone. That courage to experiment and take risks stands out to me.”

 

This year, the new Upper School robotics team is gearing up for the FIRST Tech Challenge: DECODE, which is an incredible opportunity for students to apply their engineering and programming skills in a competitive setting. The build season is underway, and students are busy prototyping, testing, and refining their robot.

 

But under Mr. O’Malley’s leadership, Baldwin’s robotics program isn’t just aiming for trophies — it’s building a lasting culture of innovation. From CAD modeling and 3D printing to autonomous systems and Artificial Intelligence, he plans to introduce students to a variety of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring they graduate with a deep, versatile STEM toolkit.

 

If a student is thinking about jumping into robotics but is unsure, Mr. O’Malley has one piece of advice: Just start. “Don’t wait until you ‘know enough’ to get started, just jump in,” he encourages. “Robotics is about learning as you go, asking questions, and not being afraid to make mistakes. The best innovators aren’t the ones who get it perfect the first time; they’re the ones who keep experimenting until they find what works.”

 

With Mr. O’Malley at the helm, Baldwin’s robotics program is more than a club — it’s a launchpad for the next generation of innovators, creators, and STEM leaders. And the future looks bright!