That’s a Wrap! Farewell 2022

As 2022 ends, Think Together students have been busy thanks to some fun opportunities with our community and foundation partners.

This month kicked off with Think Together high school students receiving the incredible opportunity to participate in a World Cup event sponsored by Adidas. Students played in a series of round-robin soccer matches in addition to watching a World Cup match on the big screen.

The Ontario Clippers basketball team collaborated with Think Together for the second year in a row to provide gifts to students in San Bernardino at Ontario Center Elementary School. The gifts ranged from STEM kits to board games with every student leaving with a smile. The students were so excited to receive gifts and meet basketball players!

Golden State Foods Foundation is helping Think Together students step confidently into the new year with some sweet new shoes! 100 Think Together students in Orange County will be receiving new shoes as part of Golden State Foods Foundation community support initiatives. In addition to the shoes, Golden State Foods gave a $7,500 grant to help fund Think Together programs in Orange County.

Think Together is always excited to bring these fun opportunities to students, but we also know that the best gift is a robust education. It’s through the relationships we build with our corporate and community partners that Think Together can change the odds for kids.

If you are interested in becoming a partner in 2023, visit https://thinktogether.org/corporate-support/ for more information.

The high school graduating class of 2023 is reaching the halfway mark of their senior year! As students complete their public education, they make plans for their future. During this time, Think Together partners with students to understand what requirements they need to pursue post-secondary education and ensure students are confident that the funds to make it possible are available to them. 

The National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) estimates that over $100 billion in grants and scholarship money is awarded annually. For high school students and their families who are concerned about paying for college, know that there’s plenty of money out there to help pay tuition, you just need to find it and work for it! 

Most scholarship application deadlines will occur during the regular academic year, typically September through May. While this timeline gives students some time to apply for scholarships, it still is a good idea to start searching for scholarships early.  

Think Together’s High School and Beyond team works to collect viable scholarship opportunities and ensures our High School seniors are aware and confident to apply. Below are December and January scholarships along with quotes from our college and career resource specialists to encourage students with all kinds of talents and skills to apply! 

“Scholarships are one way Think Together helps change the odds for our students. Scholarships reward students for all their amazing hard work while alleviating the financial burden higher education may bring. I view scholarships as the fastest way to bring equity to our students, to give them an opportunity they may not have otherwise ever had” 

Emilio Pena 

College and Career Resource Specialist, Los Angeles Metro region 

December 15, 2022 

Burger King Scholars Program – Students must have a strong academic record with a minimum 2.5 GPA, be passionate about serving the community and be a high school senior, Burger King employee, spouse/domestic partner or child of an employee.  

Awards Vary 

https://bk-scholars.com/

December 31, 2022 

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative- The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative awards three scholarships to the authors of the three best Apprentice Ecologist essays. Applicants should embody the spirit of the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative by demonstrating personal leadership and environmental stewardship in their project. Winning essays have been 750 to 1,500 words long. Middle school, high school, or undergraduate college/university students (ages 13-21) are eligible to apply. Register and upload your favorite photo with the essay. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website. 

$1,750 

http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist 

December 31, 2022 

Bottar Leone Scholarship - Scholarship is open to high school graduates who are currently enrolled full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year university or community college in the United States with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicant must have a documented physical or learning disability (students with ADD/ADHD alone are not eligible) and have demonstrated financial need.  

$2,500  

http://www.bottarleone.com/physical-learning-scholarship.html    

“Saving on education is fundamental to your success. Diligence to succeed takes some effort on your part. Do your research and apply for scholarships that may contribute to your success. The payoff will be greater than you expect!” 

Maria Figueroa 

College and Career Resource Specialist, Riverside region  

January 5, 2023  

GE – Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program – Applicant must be a high school senior and demonstrate leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship at school, at the workplace, and in the community. Applicant must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate course of study toward a bachelor’s degree at a four year college or university. 

$10,000 

https://www.reaganfoundation.org/education/scholarship-programs/ge-reagan-foundation-scholarship-program/

January 9, 2023 

Ron Brown Scholar Program – Scholarship is open to African American high school seniors who have made a significant contribution to society. 

$10,000 

https://www.ronbrown.org/section/apply/rbsp-application

“Scholarships are important for students to financially assist them in their navigation of higher education. The cost of education is constantly increasing so having scholarships helps students receive additional financial aid and reduces the cost of any potential loans. Scholarships can support students with funds for textbook, laptops, housing, lab equipment, and other educational expenses.” 

Rogelia Mata 

College and Career Resource Specialist, Los Angeles Metro region 

January 12, 2023 

MetLife Foundation Scholarship – Open to high school seniors pursuing a four-year degree in select areas of agriculture, agribusiness management, communications, education, journalism, extension, public relations, finance, economics, sales, marketing, engineering, mechanization, technology, plant pathology, plant/animal breeding and genetics, range/soil science or public service and  
administration in agriculture. 

$2,000 

https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/

January 15, 2023 

MENSA Foundation Scholarship; The Mensa Foundation Scholarship Program awards more than $140,000 in assistance every year to college-bound students around the globe. Scholarships are awarded based solely on 550-word essays expressing applicants’ academic and professional goals and how their personal experiences will help them to accomplish those goals 

Varies According to Scholarship Applied to 

https://www.mensafoundation.org/what-we-do/scholarships/us-scholarships/

January 13, 2023 

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest; The contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial. 

Seven Awards of $10,000 

https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/eligibility-and-requirements

“Scholarships are essential because they increase access to higher education by providing financial support, alleviating financial burden, and allowing students to focus on their studies.” 

Annie Failla 

College and Career Resource Specialist, Southeast Los Angeles region 

January 23, 2023 

C-SPAN’s StudentCam Documentary Competition – Competition is open to students in grades 6-12. Student must create a short documentary video on the theme “What’s Your Vision in 2020? Explore the issue you most want presidential candidates to address during the campaign.” 

Up to $5,000 

http://www.studentcam.org/   

January 31,  2023 

eQuality Scholarship – Scholarship awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Applicants for all scholarships must have demonstrated service to the LGBT+ community. Applicants of all sexual orientations and gender identities are eligible 

$6,000 

https://www.equalityscholarship.org/apply.html

February 23, 2023 

The Coolidge Scholarship; The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study and leadership training. The Coolidge may be used by recipients at any American university. Applicants must be juniors in high school and either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. 

Full Tuition Scholarship 

www.coolidgescholars.org

“Scholarships can help ease the financial burden that college students and their families often face. They are an important factor in providing access to higher education for students of all backgrounds.” 

Wendy Orellana Salas 

College and Career Resource Specialist, Santa Fe Springs region 

We’re off to see the Wizard at Dickison Elementary in the Compton Unified School District! In late November, fourth and fifth grade Think Together students transformed themselves into Toto, Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Glinda the Good Witch to perform their blended rendition of the 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz and its 1978 reimagining, The Wiz. Long before the curtains could open, students, teachers, families and Think Together staff were hard at work preparing for the show. 

At the start of the 2022-2023 school year, Ms. Gales, the program leader of the fourth and fifth grade group shared with the Think Together team about productions she had managed with students at Dickison in the past. The Think Together team and students loved the idea and started envisioning their first performance. 

Visual and performing arts give students the opportunity for self-expression, teamwork, risk-taking, concentration, creativity, and fun. Each student, from the lead actor to the backstage crew, prepared, developed themselves, overcame their nerves and put on a stunning performance for their families, teachers and classmates. For many of the students, this was the first time performing or participating in a play.  

Ease on Down the Road

Starting in October, the group of 25 students picked their roles and began preparation. Program leader and play manager Ms. Gales worked with the students every day after school to memorize lines, understand the play, and work on their stage acting skills! 

Alongside the rehearsals, Think Together students learned the ins and outs of storytelling and performance. The Think Together team hosted open discussions about the play at the students’ snack time. Students in every grade learned about the different parts of a story, how to identify main and secondary characters, and the many roles involved with putting on a performance. 

Working alongside Ms. Gales, site coordinator Ms. Mone’t gathered costumes, set pieces, and volunteers from the school and community to transform Dickison Elementary’s multi-purpose room into the wonderful land of Oz. Ms. Mone’t, reflecting on their work after the performance, said “I was so excited for them. It was a big commitment, but they came each day prepared to rehearse. I was really impressed with them.”  

Families also worked with their children to memorize their lines and give them the courage they needed to play their part and “ease on down the road.” 

We’re Off to See the Wiz! 

On the day of the performance, parent volunteers, Dickison Elementary staff, and Think Together team members worked on the finishing touches. Ms. Mone’t worked closely with the school staff to guide the student stage crew while one of the parent volunteers gave each cast member stage makeup to fully get into their part! 

The Scarecrow, Tinman, Lion, Glinda, Wicked Witch of the West, citizens of Oz, Crows, Munchkins, Dorothy and even Toto were ready to make their debut! 

Breaking through their apprehension, students delivered their lines, hit their marks, and felt all their hard work pay off as the audience broke out into applause. Ms. Gales was so proud of all the students and how much they had grown from the experience. “The kids grew so much in their ability to articulate. They also learned the importance of working as a whole to make sure that their performance was great and to motivate not only themselves but also their peers” she shared after the performance. 

Stay Tuned! 

While the curtains may have come to a close on this production, the Think Together program at Dickison plans to put on an entire set of performances with the other students. Coming up next for the Think Together program at Dickison Elementary is a rendition of Rainbow Fish presented by the Kinder through second grade students as well as The Lorax by the third and fourth grade students. We are so excited to see what these performers shine! 

As a whole, Think Together is excited to leverage the renewed funding for the Visual and Performing Arts in our programs across California.  

After joining Think Together as a program leader 13 years ago, Linda Ramirez went on to serve in the roles of site assistant, site coordinator, and program coordinator and now as the quality assurance coach in the Riverside County region. Linda is known in her region for going above and beyond to support her team of site coordinators so that they can better lead their programs. She is passionate about having quality programs that support the students she serves and puts her heart and soul into what she does. We are excited to give you the opportunity to get to know more about Linda. 
What is your Think Together “why”? 

I work for Think Together to make a difference in the lives of our students by adhering to our mission: to partner with our schools to change the odds for kids. What inspired me to become a program leader was the meaning of the acronym “THINK” in “Think Together”. Ever since my first position with Think Together, it is my passion to Teach, Help, Inspire and Nurture Kids in my community and the local neighborhoods that I serve. 

What is one of your proudest moments that connect to your “why?”  

I have many proud moments and success stories that have connected me to my core passion at Think Together. One example is the collaboration we have with our wonderful Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) partners. The leaders and educators of MVUSD share the same goals of supporting students’ academic success as individual growth. MVUSD has been a shining partner with us as we provide various academic and social-emotional lessons as well as fun activities, academic growth, a safe environment, and a space to be with their peers through winter, spring, and summer Think Together programs. 

What is one thing you are proud of your team accomplishing this school year?  

I am proud of my team’s leadership skills and teamwork. They are quick to lend a helping hand to each other and other teams at Think Together. Everyone collaborates to make decisions and act together. This year, I am especially proud of my team for taking initiative in new projects and taking hold of opportunities to keep growing as professionals. I love watching them grow and reach their individual goals. Watching my staff grow and move into new professional roles, whether that is through promotions within Think Together or beyond, keeps me content and motivated. 

What is the best piece of advice you have received that you like to share with others? 

The best piece of professional advice that I have received was to always persevere and to take each day as a learning opportunity. Additionally, I have learned to set my own goals to keep me motivated and enhance my leadership skills.  

As we wrap up 2022, what is your New Year’s Resolution for your work at Think Together in 2023? 

In 2023, I want to welcome the new year by embracing a fresh new start. I aim to learn a new skill and manage my workload more efficiently to achieve a better balance between work and personal time. I feel that engaging in self-care is important and necessary to be focused and excited for new projects coming my way.  

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

I enjoy visiting the local wineries, binge-watching documentaries on Netflix, going to the nail salon, and of course, spending time with my family.  

As part of Think Together’s afterschool program, students participate in the Invention Adventures curriculum created by our partners at Lemelson MIT. Invention Adventures is a global K-12 invention education program that teaches students problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and creativity skills which culminate with progressive conventions that begin at the site level and progress to statewide, national & global competitions.

“We were really looking for solutions that address the K-12 out-of-school space that was very rigorous and could offer a new opportunity for Think Together and give us new launching pads for our students to be successful in the world beyond school,” shared Mark Bayaua, Think Together Director of STEM Innovation Programs.

Think Together students are challenged to find a problem in their own lives, family, or community. Then, students invent a solution using the curriculum over the next ten weeks. Through this process, Think Together staff encourage students to think outside of the box and create something that can benefit their world.

Think Together had 200 students participate in this program during the 2021-22 school year and become inventors. 10 Think Together inventions, from six individuals and four team pairs, qualified for the state competition! One of those students, Neilah, went on to represent California at the national level. 

Neilah has been a part of the Think Together afterschool program since kindergarten. “I like Think Together because we always do fun activities,” Neilah shared.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Invention Convention and Neilah.

YouTube player

The next round of the Invention Convention curriculum begins later this month with our internal Invention Convention scheduled for February 21, 2023. Stay tuned to see our Think Together students’ newest round of inventions.

What happens when private foundations and leading corporations invest in students? Kids play team sports after school. High schoolers participate in internships designed to help them build a solid career pathway. Elementary students do hands-on STEM learning activities that cultivate their curiosity and problem-solving skills. And Think Together staff optimize systems designed to serve students efficiently and broadly. 

These are just a few of the opportunities unlocked by private philanthropy. In October, we gathered to celebrate our corporate and foundation partners in Los Angeles. These champions of education are leading efforts to make sure every kid has access to expanded learning opportunities, especially in light of the setbacks caused by the pandemic. 

As innovators in that space, funders heard from a panel of educational leaders including Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite, Superintendent of Lynwood Unified School District; Lindsey Rojas, Director of Expanded Learning at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy; Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle, Founder & CEO of Orenda Education; and, Tommy Brewer II, Deputy Chief of Innovations and Partnerships at Think Together. The panel was moderated by Dr. Dorothy Fleisher, Sr. Program Director for the W. M. Keck Foundation, headquartered in Los Angeles and investing in communities throughout Southern California.

“Whereas 2 million students were below grade level before the pandemic, we estimate now that between 2.5 and 3 million students are on the wrong side of the achievement gap,” explained Dr. Avelar La Salle. “The need is very great, but the opportunity is great as well.” The other panelists echoed that focus on what CAN be done and what we have collectively learned about meeting those needs.

Both Dr. Crosthwaite and Ms. Rojas expressed a shared spirit of innovation as they shared stories from their communities. “Think Together has never said no to any of my ideas,” Dr. Crosthwaite joked. “They’ll think about it and process it and we’ll work on it together. One of the things I look for is people who really believe in what we’re trying to do. People whose vision aligns with the vision we have as a district and are committed to doing the heavy lifting to do the right thing by kids.” 

“There’s no way we are going to meet the needs of students without expanded learning,” Ms. Rojas emphasized. Heads around the room nodded in agreement. 

Dr. Fleisher concluded the session with a wonderful reflection: “There’s a lot of opportunity to think differently and work together to make things happen for our communities. We leave here with hope.”

Thank you to all our visionary funders for the impact you have on kids’ lives!

Emily Espinoza began her journey with Think Together as a program leader in the Bay Area region after hearing about the impact her sister was making on the Think Together team. To continue her professional growth, Emily took on the role of site coordinator at one of Think Together’s new programs in the Newark Unified School District. Emily is known in the Bay Area region for her passion and embodiment of Think Together’s mission. You can find Emily supporting the success of her site or reinforcing her neighboring sites when needed. We look forward to seeing Emily continue to change the odds and are excited to give you the opportunity to find out more about her! 
What is your Think Together “why?” 

What inspired me to work for Think Together was my sister. When she started working with Think Together, she would tell me stories every day about how she was helping students prepare for their future. Her experience made me want to help, inspire, and motivate students so they can be the best they can be for their future. Doing this for the kids is my “why” and keeps me motivated to continue coming to work. 

Is there a specific story that always connects you to your “why?” 

When I was in high school, I always knew that I wanted to work with kids to help them grow and prepare for their future. A story that always connects me to my “why” is from when I used to volunteer at a homeless shelter. These two boys would always be at the shelter trying to get help with their homework. Every Tuesday, I would sit with the boys for an hour doing homework help. A couple of months later the boys let me know they were going to move to another state, and told me that because of the time I spent with them doing homework they were going to keep trying their best.  

What are you most thankful for this school year?  

I am thankful for the opportunity to be at a new school as a site coordinator, meet new students, and share my knowledge with them. I am also very thankful to my quality assurance coach and fellow site coordinators for sharing their knowledge with me to help my site grow and succeed.  

What one word would you use to sum up your experience working for Think Together? 

If I had to choose one word to sum up my experience working for Think Together it would be “inspiring.” I come to work every day with a purpose which is to impact and change the odds for the students.  

What is one area you hope to professionally grow in this year? 

This year, I hope I gain more skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s never a bad thing to gain new skills because it only helps you grow as a professional and individual.   

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

Outside of work, I love to go on hikes with my two dogs. My favorite place to go hiking is Coyote Hills because there are so many different trails to explore. 

Native American Heritage Month celebrates the diversity and rich indigenous cultures represented in the United States today. California, on its own, is home to over 100 indigenous communities. Think Together programs are represented in over 450 schools across California spanning from the Bay Area to Palm Springs, located in the traditional land of six of these indigenous groups; the Ohlone, Tongva, Acjachemen, Tataviam, Serrano, and Cahuilla communities.  

Colonizers of California from Spain, Europe and early America facilitated a dark history of enslaving, homogenizing, and even falsely declaring some groups of the first residents of this state extinct. Think Together recognizes the historical suppression of indigenous people and their diverse cultures as a loss to all communities. Without the resistance and hard work of generations of these native groups, we would not have the honor of talking about their different cultures and ideas with our youth, a key part of their social and emotional development.  

November is not only a great opportunity to learn about the local diversity of Indigenous histories and cultures, but to also be a small part of the cultural preservation and visibility efforts by members of these indigenous nations. 

Ohlone (Oh·loh·nee) The Ohlone, also known as Costanoans, are traditionally from the area stretching east from the San Francisco Bay over San Joaquin County and south to Santa Clara County, where Think Together’s Bay Area region is located.
What did a traditional Ohlone neighborhood look like?

Ohlone families lived in round shelters made of willow pole frames thatched with grass or tule over willow pole frames. These homes were all arranged around large buildings for community gatherings and ceremonies, which were usually built with hardwood center posts for structural support and covered with more thatching and earth to seal the walls.

To find out more about the Ohlone, check out the website of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe or the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe.

Tongva (Tong·va) The Tongva people, also called Gabrieliño, traditionally reside in the land stretching over Los Angeles basin and north Orange County. Think Together’s Los Angeles Metro, Southeast Los Angeles, Santa Fe Springs, and Orange County regions are all located within Tongva aboriginal land.
What are some of the Tongva historical landmarks? 

The Tongva’s history in the Los Angeles basin stretches back thousands of years, documented in archeological sites of villages, as well as state and federal records. Many of the Tongva’s historically recognized landmarks are not only significant to the first residents of the Los Angeles basin and their descendants but also to newer Los Angeles residents. Right behind L.A.’s world-famous Hollywood sign lies Cahuenga (or Kawenga) Peak, the Tongva’s “place in the mountains.” 

To find out more about the Tongva, check out the website of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians. 

Tataviam (Ta·ta·vee·um) The Tataviam, also called Fernandeño, are the historic residents of northern Los Angeles County including the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, eastern Simi and Antelope Valleys. Think Together’s charter partners in the Los Angeles metro region are in these areas.
What language do the Tataviam people speak? 

Hamiinat! (Hah-mee-nat) means “Hello!” in the Tataviam language.  

The Tataviam greetings are the first to be spoken in this area of California! Historically, the indigenous groups of southern California interacted often to strengthen economic and social relationships with each other. As a result, the language spoken by the Tataviam people shares many pieces of vocabulary with neighboring groups like the Serrano.  

Paiko tan hiiv! (Pie-ee-ko than hee-v) or See you later!  

To find out more about the Tataviam, check out the website of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. 

Acjachemen (A-ha-she-men) The Acjachemen, also known as Juaneño, are the original inhabitants of the territory that eventually became the County of Orange, as well as parts of San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties, where Think Together’s Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles regions are located.
What kind of art do the Acjachemen people make? 

The Acjachemen nation traditionally wove intricate designs into coiled baskets using juncus textilis or sumac, pine needles, yucca, and deer grass. Gathering sites for these materials can be found all over the coast of California for Acjachemen basketweaves. Baskets were traditionally used for gathering, cooking and even worn as headpieces. The Acjachemen baskets are an example of fine art that combines beautiful form and practical function. 

To find out more about the Acjachemen, check out the website of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation. 

Serrano (Sr·aa·now) The Serrano ancestral territory covers present-day Antelope Valley on the north-west down to parts of the Inland Empire in the south, covering the same area as Think Together’s San Bernardino region and parts of the Los Angeles Metro and San Gabriel Valley regions.
What kind of music do Serrano people play? 

Singing is a major feature of traditional Serrano music. Historical Serrano songs are used to describe social customs, creation stories, and history. Unlike many other Native American communities, traditional Serrano music does not include drums for rhythm. To accompany the singing, Serrano musicians play rattles created from gourds with palm tree seeds inside. 

To find out more about the Serrano, check out the websites of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians or the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. 

Cahuilla (Kuh·wee·uh) The traditional Cahuilla land covers the expansive area from the Borrego Desert up to the San Bernadino Mountains. The Cahuilla who live in the Coachella valley and surrounding areas are located in the same area as Think Together’s Riverside County and Palm Springs regions.
What do the Cahuilla traditionally keep in their kitchens? 

One of the common ingredients of Cahuilla meals is honey mesquite beans. The mesquite plant can be ground into a meal to make a small cake, the juice could be mixed into water for a sugary drink, and many Cahuilla children would often suck on the bean like candy. The Washingtonia filifera, the only palm tree native to California, grows a sweet fruit often enjoyed by the Cahuilla as well as strong fronds that could be shaped into utensils for eating and bows for hunting. 

To find out more about the Cahuilla, check out the website of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. 

Explore California’s Native American heritage and history with resources from the California Native American Heritage Commission.

Shining a light on the future for students means exposing them to careers and giving them the opportunities to explore and develop new skills. As Think Together participates in the national celebration of expanded learning, Lights on Afterschool, on October 20th we also want to shine a spotlight on Edison International, one of our long-standing partners in making a difference in the lives of youth.  

Since 2004, Edison International has supported Think Together in our mission to partner with schools to change the odds for kids. Most notably in the last 11 years, Edison International has awarded Think Together a grant of $25,000 to $30,000 every year. With this grant, Think Together implemented the Coding and Robotics program, where trained staff deliver STEM program curriculum at 10 middle schools each year. Overall, the STEM program has impacted over 25,000 students. 

Think Together’s Coding and Robotics Program utilized the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 curriculum to teach students the fundamentals of coding and robotic design. The first unit of the program was focused on renewable energy. Students engaged in lessons about energy transfer, wind energy, solar energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles. Not only did this unit introduce students to new concepts, but it also gave students the opportunity to explore a pathway to helping others through STEM.  

“I like making new things from Legos. It’s challenging and I learn about science in a fun way. Robotics will help me in the future by making new things and helping others.”  
– Kamari, 6th grade
“I have been in Robotics for three years and I have enjoyed building new things. I think it will prepare me for college and for becoming an engineer. In the future I want to build things that will help people.”  
– Jasmine, 8th grade student 

In a culminating project, students built, programmed, and tested their own windmills to demonstrate their knowledge of wind turbines. Students were most excited about the renewable energy component and enjoyed seeing their windmill move when tested outside. Staff and parents can’t help but share the students’ excitement when their project succeeds! 

“I love running the Edison STEM Robotics Club, seeing the smiles and excitement from the students when they build the robots is priceless. Some kids have never built a robot when they come to robotics and by the end, they feel like they have achieved so much and are excited to continue the component and can’t wait until next year.” 
– Ron, program leader 
“My daughter comes home daily talking about what she was able to do in Robotics and was super excited to show me her progress.”  
– Tamika, parent 

Another success of the program was teaching the value of patience. Some students became frustrated if the code did not move the robot as expected. The process of trial and error made the results even more satisfying for students when everything worked correctly.  

“The primary success this year is student engagement. Students are excited for robotics and are on their best behavior when the lesson is going on. Students are here longer and even asking their parents to wait until finished.” 
– Jennifer, site coordinator 

Students, staff and parents in the Rialto, Lake Elsinore, and Val Verde School districts look forward to the coding and robotics program every year. Edison International’s support has been instrumental in the launch and expansion of these programs. We are grateful for their support in making the path to college and career that much brighter! 

Shining a light on the future for students means exposing them to careers and giving them the opportunities to explore and develop new skills. As Think Together participates in the national celebration of expanded learning, Lights on Afterschool, on October 20th we also want to shine a spotlight on Edison International, one of our long-standing partners in making a difference in the lives of youth.  

Since 2004, Edison International has supported Think Together in our mission to partner with schools to change the odds for kids. Most notably in the last 11 years, Edison International has awarded Think Together a grant of $25,000 to $30,000 every year. With this grant, Think Together implemented the Coding and Robotics program, where trained staff deliver STEM program curriculum at 10 middle schools each year. Overall, the STEM program has impacted over 25,000 students. 

Think Together’s Coding and Robotics Program utilized the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 curriculum to teach students the fundamentals of coding and robotic design. The first unit of the program was focused on renewable energy. Students engaged in lessons about energy transfer, wind energy, solar energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles. Not only did this unit introduce students to new concepts, but it also gave students the opportunity to explore a pathway to helping others through STEM.  

“I like making new things from Legos. It’s challenging and I learn about science in a fun way. Robotics will help me in the future by making new things and helping others.”  
– Kamari, 6th grade
“I have been in Robotics for three years and I have enjoyed building new things. I think it will prepare me for college and for becoming an engineer. In the future I want to build things that will help people.”  
– Jasmine, 8th grade student 

In a culminating project, students built, programmed, and tested their own windmills to demonstrate their knowledge of wind turbines. Students were most excited about the renewable energy component and enjoyed seeing their windmill move when tested outside. Staff and parents can’t help but share the students’ excitement when their project succeeds! 

“I love running the Edison STEM Robotics Club, seeing the smiles and excitement from the students when they build the robots is priceless. Some kids have never built a robot when they come to robotics and by the end, they feel like they have achieved so much and are excited to continue the component and can’t wait until next year.” 
– Ron, program leader 
“My daughter comes home daily talking about what she was able to do in Robotics and was super excited to show me her progress.”  
– Tamika, parent 

Another success of the program was teaching the value of patience. Some students became frustrated if the code did not move the robot as expected. The process of trial and error made the results even more satisfying for students when everything worked correctly.  

“The primary success this year is student engagement. Students are excited for robotics and are on their best behavior when the lesson is going on. Students are here longer and even asking their parents to wait until finished.” 
– Jennifer, site coordinator 

Students, staff and parents in the Rialto, Lake Elsinore, and Val Verde School districts look forward to the coding and robotics program every year. Edison International’s support has been instrumental in the launch and expansion of these programs. We are grateful for their support in making the path to college and career that much brighter! 

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