By rssfeeds-admin 
A local nonprofit in Mountain Home is creating light ‘bulb moments’ for local students as they work to connect the dots between traditional studies and the real world through robotics.
Formed in 2001, the Science and Technology Group (STG) is 501(c)(3) non profit that fundraises for technology education for kindergarten through 12th grade. Made up of engineers, educators and parents the group functions like a booster club for robotics clubs not only in Mountain Home but the surrounding area. Groups like the Bomb Squad, Junior Bomb Squad and Lego League are supported by STG and are organized under FIRST robotics which is a global organization promoting robotics to students.
Andy Marts shown mentoring former students in robotics competition.
STG Vice President and retired Baxter Healthcare engineer Andy Marts was a founding member of the Bomb Squad and has been mentoring robotics students ever since it’s forming. It was a desire to have technology programs in his own school as a kid that got him involved.
Listen:
Amber Williamson, who serves as current president for STG and also is an engineer with Vantive, says school based robotics is what first got her interested in pursuing a career as an engineer.
Listen:
The Bomb Squad traveled to Houston this past year as they moved into the world level of competition for FIRST. These experiences also give students the opportunity to learn vital communication and life skills as they present their robots to judges, explain their process and work with other FIRST robotics teams from around the world. Williamson says it’s rewarding seeing reserved students come out of their shells.
Listen:
Marts has seen that the practical application of what is learned in the classroom can be a real light bulb moment for the students.
Listen:
Local school funding helps support the teams but groups like STG help fill in the gaps to ensure students have what they need to be successful and travel to competitions. STG says those who wish to support the students can make financial donations but can also help by volunteering time as a mentor or board member. All donations are tax deductible and more information on getting involved can be found by visiting scienceandtechnologygroup.org.
This month Farmers and Merchants Bank, Danny Porter of Century 21 Lemac Realty and KILO, Classic Hits and the Boot recognize the work of the Science and Technology Group to promote technology education to local students.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Discover more from RSS Feeds Cloud
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.