STEM

High School Gets Gift of Robotics Kits

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 12/11/19

An energy company donated eight robotics kits to a Massachusetts high school. Exelon Generation's gift, worth an estimated $12,800, increased the number of kits available for student use in robotics and engineering classes at Everett High School.

According to math and engineering teacher Anna Seiders, the additional VEX EDR kits "will allow our students to go from groups of five to groups of two for their projects," which will "have a profound impact on their learning experiences."

The students agreed. "Working in groups of five is really difficult because not every student gets to build or code," said senior Melisa Demaku, in a statement. "We spend a lot of time watching each other. Even though we each get a chance, it’s still not enough time." Demaku participates in the school's STEM club, which integrates those subjects with design projects, such as building and racing remote-control vehicles.

Last year, the school adopted the use of VEX EDR robotics kits to participate in NASA's National Rover Challenge, "because it had more replaceable parts and we had been using it in our engineering class," explained student Isaac Lenescat. "With more kits, more students will have hands on experience, and we will be able to grow our club."

Exelon General Manager, Archie Gleason, said his company made the donation to the school's STEM Academy "to help spark students' curiosity and interest in engineering through hands-on problem solving."