| STEAM Programming Pilot - 2024 |
Amount Funded: $5,000.00 |
| Estimated Timeline:
December 2024: curriculum development, course preparation, and marketing of the courses/open registration.
January - March 2025: each course is offered twice.
Use of Funds:
45 hours of curriculum development and prep: $1,980
36 hours of instruction: $1,584
10 Lego Spike sets: $4,000
Misc. materials & supplies including batteries, additional Lego Spike parts, printing, etc.: $436
Total: $8,000
The Stoughton area will be positively impacted by the offerings of these classes. Currently there are no other options in the Stoughton area for learning robotics/programming, learning 3D design/printing, and learning Excel in-person. As technology continues to rapidly advance and change, there is an increasing need for these types of skills and digital literacy for learners of all ages. Additionally, workforce needs are shifting to favor employees that can keep up with technological advances and that have foundational skills in computers, robotics, programming, and 3D design/printing as more and more employers are integrating automation and other advanced technologies into their work processes. Fostering these skills in Stoughton-area residents will increase the local talent pool for Stoughton-area companies, support individuals’ career goals, hobbyist, or entrepreneurial pursuits, get more young people interested in STEAM careers, and overall increase the resiliency and vibrancy of the Stoughton area. |
| This grant would go to support the development and implementation of three courses as the building blocks of a comprehensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum at ICS: Introductory Robotics using Lego Spike (for both adults and kids), Introduction to 3D Design and Printing (for anyone ages 15+), and Introduction to Excel (for anyone ages 15+).
These classes would meet bi-weekly for a total of three, 2-hour sessions (6 hours of instruction per course), and each course will be offered twice from January - March 2025.
Each class has a maximum capacity of 10 students, and we anticipate filling up, so we would serve a total of 60 students in these three courses from January - March.
Introduction to Excel aims to equip participants with foundational skills in using Microsoft Excel effectively. Key learning outcomes include navigating the Excel interface, entering and formatting data, using basic formulas and functions, and understanding cell references. Participants will learn how to organize data through sorting, filtering, and basic tables, as well as create simple charts for data visualization. The workshop also covers conditional formatting, error troubleshooting, and preparing worksheets for saving or printing. By the end, participants will be able to apply these skills in practical scenarios like budgeting or report creation.
Introductory Robotics with LEGO SPIKE engages students in hands-on learning by building and programming robots. Students learn key robotics components like sensors and motors, develop basic programming skills, and create algorithms to solve tasks. They troubleshoot issues, collaborate with peers, apply math and science concepts, and experience the engineering design process. The course also fosters innovation by encouraging students to design creative solutions and understand how robots collect and process data for decision-making.
In Intro to 3D Design and Printing, students learn fundamental concepts such as geometry, scale, and different modeling techniques. They gain hands-on experience with 3D modeling software, developing proficiency in creating and manipulating objects. The course emphasizes designing for 3D printing, teaching key considerations like printability, structural integrity, and file formats. Students also learn to operate 3D printers, understand different printing processes, and troubleshoot basic issues. Additionally, they use slicing software to prepare models |
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