A local woman has just started NeXT Minds Robotics 4-H Club, aimed at teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) using robotics. Club founder Jan Satterthwaite says the kids will, “build robots and use software to plan, test and modify sequences of instructions from a variety of real life robotic behaviors.”
Satterthwaite just received The Harry Burcalow Innovation Grant to begin building the club. However, she fears the club won’t make it through the next school year, as King County 4-H programs will be shut down September 30, 2012 due to government budget cuts.
Satterthwaite writes:
Our club is currently serving youth, ages 9 through 14, with the intentions of modifying the curriculum as members grow and develop. The kids come from a variety of school settings—home schooling, Seattle Public Schools and Independent Schools. Several of these kids have not experienced a positive group connection and/or are showing signs of at risk behaviors. The accessibility of this club’s activities will support the kids in this community, steering them towards a life of successful contributions.
…I am hoping that with enough publicity, we can find support for these essential after school programs that so many kids have relied on for several decades.
To learn more about the program, contact Satterthwaite by email at jansatterthwaite@gmail.com.
