JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida at the Clanzel T. Brown Park Club received 15 laptops and two robotics kits during a surprise assembly on Sept. 30.<\/p>\n
The donation was facilitated by the Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub and technology lifecycle company Auditmacs.<\/p>\n
The donation expands access to technology for local club members, providing equipment for homework, coding, and artificial intelligence exploration. Science, technology, engineering and math\u2014commonly abbreviated as STEM\u2014initiatives across the region aim to help close the digital divide through hands-on learning tools.<\/p>\n
The laptops were provided through Auditmacs\u2019 Friends of STEM program. Auditmacs manages corporate computer systems from procurement and deployment through recovery, repair, resale, and recycling. When corporate clients refresh hardware, a portion of resale proceeds is directed to the Friends of STEM program, which the STEM2 Hub uses to fund educational technology. LEGO Education also provided two newly released Computer Science & AI robotics kits, with company representatives attending the assembly to meet with students.<\/p>\n
Wyatt Parlette, chief operating officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, praised the organization\u2019s response to local club needs. \u201cWhen STEM2 Hub heard what our members needed, they stepped up quickly,\u201d Parlette said. \u201cSeeing the excitement on the kids\u2019 faces was incredible. These laptops and robotics kits give them new tools to learn, create, and challenge themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
The club\u2019s robotics team consists of seven to 10 middle school members who will use the new LEGO Education kits to build and code projects. The technology provides hands-on opportunities for students to explore computer science concepts and artificial intelligence applications.<\/p>\n
Dr. Kathleen Schofield, executive director of the Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub, highlighted the importance of technological equity for students. \u201cEvery student deserves access to the technology that will help shape their future,\u201d Schofield said. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to help give these young people opportunities to learn, code and compete.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Clanzel T. Brown Park Club robotics team will use the new equipment to prepare for the Robot Rally at Orange Park High School in December.<\/p>\n
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