Newfields Elementary School to start new robotics program
NEWFIELDS —The town’s Elementary School is starting a new school-wide robotics program.
The school was recently awarded a Robotics Education Development Program grant from the state Department of Education.
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 Newfields Elementary School Principal Suize Griffith. “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, LEGO Explore for second and third grades, and LEGO Challenge for fourth and fifth grades.
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 New Hampshire Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. "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 article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Newfields Elementary School to establish a new robotics program
