Newfields Elementary To Establish Robotics Program For K-5

Exeter NH

08 December, 2021

11:49 AM

Description

Press release from Cookson Communications: Dec. 8, 2021 Newfields Elementary School was awarded a Robotics Education Development Program grant from the New Hampshire Department of Education on November 29 to establish a new school-wide robotics program. The funds, totaling $10,726, will be used to pursue educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM), while building critical life skills and work-related foundations for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. "I am pleased that our students have the opportunity to explore, create and engage in such a cutting-edge robotics program," said Suize Griffith, Newfields Elementary School Principal. "Our students are so focused and engaged when working with the current design materials. I am thrilled that they will have additional opportunities to work with higher level manipulatives and platforms and increase an even greater passion for engineering and coding." Through this grant, Newfields Elementary School will establish a new kindergarten through fifth grade robotics program. It will include pathways in Coding Creations and Robot Quests that will provide foundational concepts and a balanced variety of virtual and tangible tools. Each grade will experience progressively more complex robotics and coding challenges through robotics kits including KIBO for kindergarten to first grade (K-1), LEGO Explore for second and third grades (2-3) and LEGO Challenge for fourth and fifth grades (4-5). KIBO provides a cutting-edge, tangible platform for children to start coding journeys, while LEGO is the gold standard for building and programming robots. As K-1 students develop pattern recognition and sequencing skills, grades 2-3 learn block-based programming and algorithmic thinking and grades 4-5 learn how to use sensors and variables. "Robotics is a great way to engage students in math and science, giving them hands-on experience and life-long memories," said Frank Edelblut New Hampshire Department of Education Commissioner. "New Hampshire has been a leader in robotics education, and this program will help bring that opportunity to more students." The Robotics Education Development Program grant will cover the cost of the robotics kits (KIBO and LEGO), parts, tools, coaches, uniforms and fees for registering and traveling to competitive events. Newfields Elementary School, part of SAU 16, serves Newfields and is home to 125 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. This press release was produced by Cookson Communications. The views expressed here are the author's own.