Google Grants $10 Million to Robotics Programs for Middle Schoolers -- THE Journal

Breaking News

Google Grants $10 Million to Robotics Programs for Middle Schoolers

By Kate Lucariello
10/11/23

Google.org, Google's charitable arm, has granted $10 million to two nonprofit organizations to help 300,000 middle school children take part in robotics programs. The grants will go to For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) and the REC Foundation (RECF).

In a blog post, Justin Steele, Google.org's director for the Americas, noted that new ideas, concepts, technology, problem solving, collaboration, and communication are important to help grow young minds, and these programs emphasize those skills.

The grant recipients' robotics programs will expose students to current technology, including AI, he wrote. But they will also help the two organizations support their communities and help build new robotics teams across the United States, "including in every state where Google has an office or data center."

The grants will also help the two organizations do outreach to rural and other students for whom opportunities may be less available to engage in such programs, he added. He noted that Google has long had a "passion for robotics," and employees have volunteered thousands of hours building such programs for youth, including those for girls. As this year marks Google's 25th birthday, the company especially wants to "support the next generation of curious minds and give back to the communities Google calls home."

FIRST's Tech Challenge teams compete in a championship event with robots they have designed, built, and coded with Java programming from a reusable platform, using Android technology. Students who participate are eligible to apply for over $80 million in college scholarships, the nonprofit said.

RECF sponsors a number of programs that "offer a direct response to workforce and industry needs with participants more likely to consider studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) beyond high school," it noted. Its competitions include robotics, AI, factory automation, and aerial drones, among others.

Read Steele's blog post to learn more.

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

Mandatory Multifactor Authentication Coming to Azure

Microsoft will require multifactor authentication (MFA) for all Azure sign-ins, starting in October.
Stability AI Intros Stable Diffusion 3.5 Text-to-Image Generation Model

Stability AI, developer of open source models focused on text-to-image generation, has introduced Stable Diffusion 3.5, the latest version of its deep learning, text-to-image model.
Microsoft Copilot Gains Actions Feature, New Agents in Latest Update

Microsoft has introduced new and enhanced features for Microsoft 365 Copilot, including Copilot Actions, new AI "agents," and a Copilot Control System.
SETDA: Cybersecurity Tops Priority List for State Education Leaders

Cybersecurity remains the top ed tech priority for state education leaders, according to the 2024 State EdTech Trends report from the State Educational Technology Directors Association.