Empowering Educators: How Robotics Training Transformed Central Virginia Classrooms

On April 29, teachers from across Central Virginia gained hands-on experience with robotics, gaining skills, insights – and even a robot! – to take back to their classrooms.

The latest in the Future Focus Foundation (FFF) workshop series for educators funded by the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, the event brought K-8 teachers from five school divisions to Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) for training in the use of the iRobot Root robot, networking, and a tour of the CVCC Mechatronics Lab.

Each teacher received their own iRobot Root, which is integrated into a flexible software suite that can teach not only graphical coding, hybrid coding, and full text coding with Python, but also bridges into STEAM engagement by integrating tools for drawing and a virtual keyboard to generate musical tones.

“As a teacher who had very little understanding of coding and robotics,” one teacher commented. “This has inspired me to add to my knowledge and apply it in my classroom.”

Alison Kappler, Supervisor of Science and Computer Science with Bedford County Public Schools and a member of the FFF board, guided the training, providing teachers with tutorials and sample lesson plans that integrate into the K-8 Virginia Standards of Learning. In an opportunity to both learn and to connect with each other, the teachers practiced programming their iRobots within a virtual environment and then tested them out in the classroom.

Following their training, the teachers visited the CVCC Mechatronics Lab, where they met Marci Gale, Head of the Mechatronics and Electronics Program, and Assistant Professor of Mechatronics Danny Murphy, as well as several of their students. The lab is supported through a U.S. National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education grant and fully integrated into the Central Virginia STEM pipeline, with graduates finding careers with L3Harris, Framatome, and other industry partners.

Through their conversations, the workshop participants gained valuable perspective on how their own students might find a path towards a successful STEM career, and inspiring stories to tell about advanced robotic technologies used in the lab and in industry.

“The Robotics STEM Workshop was a perfect example of how partnerships can elevate K-adult learning,” commented Dr. Cheryl Lindeman, FFF President. “As a board, we continue to step out of the boundaries to create meaningful experiences for our teachers to learn and grow together.”

~ submitted by Josh Chamot

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To stay up to date about our STEM workshops and learn about our new STEM Educator’s micro-credential leadership program, connect with us at: https://www.futurefocusva.org/

The Future Focus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in Central Virginia (Lynchburg City, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell Counties). The Foundation’s mission is to prepare and encourage Central Virginia students in K-12 and beyond to seek careers in STEM fields. Founded in 2009, the Foundation has served more than 5,000 students through the support of high-impact STEM education initiatives for more than 800 teachers and volunteers.