Reno, NV – Virginia Turner and Bob Pratte, teachers at Traner Middle School in Reno, NV, were at the receiving end of a generous donation made by TrainerRoad to help foster STEM education in the Washoe County School District. Based in Reno, TrainerRoad is a virtual bicycle training and technology company that helps customers reach their goals with cycling’s most effective training and coaching system.
TrainerRoad granted $5,000 to Nevada Robotics to support teachers to develop a classroom-based robotics program. With this funding, Nevada Robotics purchased curriculum to introduce the concepts of FIRST LEGO League while providing access to online professional development and five LEGO Mindstorm Robotics sets.
TrainerRoad has also generously committed to mentoring the students with employees explaining their career journey and how they use STEM components in their work. All stakeholders hope this engagement will introduce a wide range of career options to inspire the students. The program will continue next year with the addition of a competitive team through the Tesla grant, further expanding the impact at the school.
The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) supported this donation by facilitating the connection and supporting the training of the teachers. Caroline Hanson, EDAWN’s Regional Robotics Coordinator, has been serving as a robotics educator and coach mentor, working with the teachers to make sure they are comfortable with the content and materials and will be available to troubleshoot at student meetings throughout the spring. Caroline will also host an end-of-school-year showcase for students to share their accomplishments.
Other companies interested in engaging to impact STEM education in Washoe County School District at this or other levels can reach out to Caroline Hanson and/or Nevada Robotics directly via the contact information provided below.
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About EDAWN
The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) is a private/public partnership established in 1983, committed to adding quality jobs to the region by recruiting new companies, supporting the success of existing companies, and assisting newly forming companies, to diversify the economy and have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Sparks. www.edawn.org
Media Contact:
Caroline Hanson
Regional Robotics Coordinator
hanson@edawn.org
About Nevada Robotics
In July 2018 Tesla selected the Desert Research Institute’s Science Alive program to receive Tesla’s Nevada K-12 Education Investment Funding, and the Nevada Robotics program was born from this initial investment. With this, Nevada Robotics collaborates with community and industry partners in delivering engaging robotics education to Nevada’s K – 12 students in support of their vision for all students across Nevada to think creatively and solve complex problems through hands-on robotics education. https://nevadarobotics.org/
Media Contact:
AJ Long
Robotics and STEM Education Administrator
775-830-3287
AJ.Long@dri.edu
