HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The launch of a new initiative giving kids hands-on exposure to STEM also marks the launch of a community partnership preparing students for their future.
Eleven-year-old Penelope Wecal is one of the first to participate in the Robots Zoom to the Moon program that immerses students in STEM using robots.
“They, like, entertain me,” said Wecal of the robots. “They let me learn about more stuff.”
Pairs are made up of older kids teaching and working with younger students.
Dr. Fred Hicks, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, says he is proud of their collaboration between TECO and the Boys and Girls Clubs to make learning fun.
“Every child that comes in contact with the small robot is going to learn: programming, coding, math, science, reading, partnership, collaboration, mentorship,” said Dr. Hicks.
Freddy Williams, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay, hopes the hands-on experience inspires children to get excited about future careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
“Seeing the curiosity and the spark that’s being engaged in young people, you never know what that’s going to help them be a launchpad into what they want to do, into the future,” said Williams.
A future Penelope is preparing for now.
“I love learning,” she said. “It’s just, like, my favorite things to do to teach other people.”
Young learners taking steps toward becoming the next generation of leaders.