Given the fast pace at which our country continues to transform in technology and growth, wouldn’t it have been awesome to have had a club that helped to inspire you to think innovatively back when you were in school? That’s exactly what the Taylor School District was hoping to accomplish when they partnered with RAIN to begin the Taylor Intermediate Innovation Club.
The club was established to serve students after school from ages 8-14. With the grant from RAIN, the Taylor Intermediate After School Program purchased 9 computers, which they started using in a Robotics Program for the students. The kids learn the basics of programming and gain hands-on experience programming robotics kits to function autonomously.
What was the impact?
For the past couple years, the students have been using these computers and learning programming. The Club serves about 45 students per year. Students emerging from this program gain an understanding of technology, robotics, and programming; and will hopefully, one day pursue a career in the STEM field.
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The Arizona Rural Activation and Innovation Network (RAIN) is funded by the National Science Foundation to oversee grant funding for informal STEM education projects in four rural Arizona communities: Cochise County, Graham and Greenlee County, the Verde Valley, and the Navapache/White Mountains region. RAIN acts as a resource for best practices in informal STEM program development and works to highlight effective STEM programs, employers and organizations across the state of Arizona. Interested in applying for a grant? Visit our website today and learn more about the opportunities in your community.