Washington Townships Schools are dedicated to providing students with the best in STEM education, from an updated science curriculum to a seriously fun STEM summer camp. This National STEM Day, we’re proud to highlight a unique program that invites kids of all ages to pursue science, technology, engineering and math as a team sport: robotics clubs.

“When we think of team sports, we think of soccer, football, basketball,” says Beth Crader, Robotics Coach at Eastwood Middle School. “But robotics is also a really cool team sport. You need a driver, a builder, a coder, someone to keep the engineering notebook. There are a lot of players.”

“Before the robotics team, students who had an interest in technology or engineering didn’t have an option for after-school activities,” says Sadie McGouldrick, Panther Cubs Robotics Coach at Nora Elementary School. “Now they have a club of their own, and are able to compete as a team in the VEX IQ robotics competitions.”

In VEX IQ Competitions, teams of students are tasked with designing and building a robot to play a game-based, engineering challenge. They must work together to design, build and code their robot to play the game as effectively as possible. But to be competition-ready, teams need access to the most up-to-date equipment… and that can’t happen without financial support.

Those students spent the rest of the school year building, coding and tweaking their bots until they were ready for the big show.

“There’s a lot of suspense when your robot is in the field competing,” says Eastwood 8th grader George Donovan. “You get a burst of energy anytime your bot scores a point. And when finals come at the end of the competition and your name gets called, it feels amazing!”

For students, the benefits of robotics club go way beyond building STEM skills. Being a part of the club helps them cultivate relationships, practice teamwork, and develop their confidence and curiosity.

“You’re having fun with your friends, but your brain is still working,” says Eastwood 8th grader Brody Ditzenberger.

“Robotics has increased student motivation, confidence and creativity, both in and out of the classroom,” says Ms. McGouldrick. “They’re showing more improvement because they have something they are enjoying, and it’s something to work toward.”

As the opportunities for STEM careers continue to grow, so too does the need for after-school STEM education programs just like these.

“More and more jobs are created in the STEM field every day, but there’s a lack of diversity and people going into those careers,” says Ms. McGouldrick. “I want kids to see computer science is everywhere, not just in coding. I want them to see all the different careers they could do in this field, and give them the opportunity to explore it at an early age.”

To learn how you can support more programs like these, click here.