Mission: Robotics – “The Next Chapter” is an exciting expansion of Drew Elementary’s existing robotics program, designed to deepen student engagement in STEM activities and elevate hands-on learning. This initiative will introduce more advanced robotics tools, coding platforms, and collaborative projects that promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. It will also increase access through after-school clubs, competitions, and family STEM events, ensuring that our students have the opportunity to explore and thrive!

Drew Elementary’s current robotics program has sparked a strong interest in STEM among our students! As student enthusiasm grows, there is a clear need to expand robotics for our students. This grant will strive to improve on the programs core values of being comprehensive, engaging, mastering collaboration skills, sparking creativity, and improving hands-on problem-solving. 
This grant will enhance the quality of our robotics program by providing students with expanded opportunities to explore real-world challenges at an age-appropriate level—such as designing simple machines, coding to solve tasks, and working as a team to complete missions. These experiences support not only technical skill development but also critical thinking, perseverance, and communication—skills that are vital both in school and in everyday life. In addition to advancing STEM education, this initiative will also strengthen the true meaning of STEAM—incorporating elements of design, storytelling, and creativity into robotics projects. Students will learn to think like engineers, artists, and innovators, making connections across subjects while building confidence in their ability to create and lead. These well-rounded experiences will help students understand how technology can be used to solve problems, express ideas, and make a positive impact. 
By expanding STEAM-related education through robotics, this project will contribute to a stronger school community—one that values innovation, inclusivity, and future-ready learners. It will also offer more opportunities for families to engage with student learning through showcases, family STEM nights, and community events, fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration that extends beyond the classroom.

To address the growing need for deeper, more enriching STEM and STEAM experiences at Drew Elementary, Mission: Robotics – “The Next Chapter” will expand and enhance our current robotics program through a series of structured, measurable, and impactful goals. This project is designed to significantly improve student learning by fostering hands-on engagement, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary connections—aligning with our district’s mission to personalize learning and prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving world. Over the course of one school year, the project will implement the following SMART objectives: Increase student participation in robotics-based learning activities through expanded after-school opportunities, Host student showcases and family STEM events to highlight student learning and increase community engagement in STEAM education, and Facilitate one local competition event where student teams collaborate and present robotics projects aligned with real-world challenges. 
Activities funded through the grant will include the purchase of additional robotics kits, needed supplies, and age-appropriate coding tools that will allow more students to participate in structured, small-group robotics work. The project will also support materials for design-thinking tasks, such as building prototypes, creating storyboards, and integrating art and technology in STEAM-based challenges. Funds will be used to organize events such as student showcases, team competitions, and family STEM nights to connect student learning with the larger school community. All activities will take place on the Drew Elementary campus, primarily in after-school settings. The program will be implemented through extracurricular robotics clubs that meet weekly. These expanded opportunities will provide students with deeper exposure to robotics in a way that is developmentally appropriate, engaging, and connected to real-life applications—like solving simple and complex problems, designing helpful tools, and collaborating to complete tasks as a team. This project will enrich student learning by adding on to a comprehensive learning experience where students are challenged to think critically, work collaboratively, and express their creativity. According to research from the National Science Foundation and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), early exposure to robotics not only increases student engagement and achievement in STEM subjects, but also improves social-emotional skills and confidence—especially for underrepresented groups in STEM. By embedding these experiences into the everyday learning environment, the project ensures that students build a strong foundation for future success in school and beyond. 
“Mission: Robotics – The Next Chapter” aligns directly with Drew Elementary’s campus improvement goals and the district’s focus on personalized, student-centered learning. It offers meaningful opportunities for all learners to explore, create, and grow—setting the stage for future innovation and lifelong learning.