All elementary students in Fayette County Public Schools will soon have access to robotics supplies, thanks to the generosity of the Xerox Foundation and IEEE Lexington. Their $35,000 gift will provide more than 100 LEGO MINDSTORMS kits spread across the nearly three dozen schools.
Students at Garden Springs Elementary demonstrated how their programmed robots can perform tasks such as delivering bales of hay.
“Xerox has a strong culture of innovation. Science, technology, math and engineering are very important to Xerox,” said Connie Harvey, corporate vice president and chief operating officer for Commercial Services, who is based in Lexington. “Our mission is to make it fun.”
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE), a professional association for the advancement of technology, coordinates summer robotics camps run by FCPS teachers. While raising funds for additional classroom kits, education outreach chairman Jack McKinney approached Harvey for help, and the Xerox Foundation came through in a big way. Harvey noted Monday that robotics enable students not only to dig deeper into math and science but also to learn teamwork, practice trial-and-error thinking and take away some life lessons.
The donation was announced at Garden Springs Elementary. “Partnerships like today is what it’s all about,” Principal Jimmy Brehm said, extending thanks on behalf of the district. “We can truly make magic happen.”
Fourth-grade teacher Mary Maldonado is already incorporating robotics in her classroom this year to include children beyond those in the Student Technology Leadership Program.
“We’re so excited to get robots in the hands of our students. The addition of robots means less time waiting and sharing and more time doing the tasks with math and science,” she said. “The momentum and excitement for learning are just outstanding.”
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