The Plymouth Community School Corporation has been selected as one of the recipients of the prestigious 2023-2024 K-12 Robotics Competition Grant from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), with a special congratulations to Laurie Wandland and the Robotics team.
The grant, funded through the Indiana General Assembly, promotes STEM education and helps equip students with essential skills for emerging STEM careers and educational opportunities.
The K-12 Robotics Competition Grant aligns with Indiana’s Priorities for STEM Education, an initiative aimed at preparing educators to provide high-quality STEM learning opportunities that integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to enhance student learning and achievement.
With the grant, the Plymouth Community School Corporation will expand its STEM and robotics programs across all grade levels, providing access to engaging STEM experiences. The grant will also equip the school with state-of-the-art robotics resources, enabling students to design and program robots for competitions. Additionally, PCSC will enhance educator training, fostering a research-based approach to STEM and robotics education.
Esteemed Robotics Coach Laurie Wandland shares her enthusiasm, stating, “This grant will enable us to introduce programs at Jefferson and Webster Elementary while also expanding existing programs at Riverside, Lincoln, and PHS,” said robotics coach Laurie Wandland. “Competitive robotics not only enhances our students’ STEM skills but also hones their communication, leadership, and project management abilities.”
The grant represents a partnership between the corporation and the IDOE to prepare students for the growing STEM job market in Indiana.
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the computer and mathematical job sector in Indiana is projected to increase to nearly 69,000 jobs by 2028, creating over 7,000 new opportunities compared to its 2018 base of 61,344 jobs.
The grant will significantly contribute to advancing the corporation’s STEM initiatives and preparing students for futures in STEM-related careers.
