HEMLOCK, Mich. (WNEM) – A $10,000 grant will help expand STEM education in mid-Michigan.
The Lockwood STEM Center has been awarded a Hemlock Semiconductor CARES Grant to expand robotics and computer science education.
Hemlock Public School District said the money will support the center’s Robotics for Early STEM Career Exploration initiative by providing professional development for teachers and expanding access to classroom robotics. With hands-on training, the district said teachers will gain the resources they need to integrate coding and robotics into their classrooms, helping students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
As part of the initiative, elementary teachers from across mid-Michigan will participate in professional training at the center using Sphero robots. At the end of the training, each participating teacher will receive a class set of robots to take back to their school.
“This grant is an investment not only in our students, but also in the educators who inspire them every day,” said Laura Trombley, director of the Lockwood STEM Center. “By providing teachers with high-quality robotics training and classroom resources, we’re expanding STEM opportunities throughout our region while helping students discover the excitement of coding, robotics, and future STEM careers.”
The program is expected to impact nearly 500 elementary students.
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