The Sathya Sai Center of Austin in Texas began implementing Robotics clubs in several elementary schools in 2012. The goal was to nurture students’ interest in robotics, engineering and technology. Most of the students are from low-income and non-English speaking families. The Robotics Club was started by a high school SSE student with a passion for robotics. The student made time after school to coach 4th and 5th grade students at a local school for four days a week. For the past seven years, seven adults and 13 high school students have enthusiastically mentored nearly 90 young students in robotics. They meet twice a week, for about 60 to 90 minutes, each. The effort was supported by a local company that produces robotics kits and offers one-day training in robotics. Volunteers have also been able to secure grants from high-tech companies in the area. The principals of the school believe that these activities help economically disadvantaged students avail themselves of opportunities that are normally accessible only to students in more affluent neighborhoods. Teams from these schools have participated in robotics contests and won several awards over the past few years for their innovative projects.
You must be logged in to post a comment.