Edison International Lights Up the Way for STEM
Think Together is proud to partner with Edison International, which recently renewed its $30,000 investment in STEM Coding and Robotics programs. This support will provide 900 students across 10 middle schools in Jurupa Valley, Perris, and Rialto with access to technology and engaging STEM learning experiences.
Our STEM programs run on three 10-week cycles, totaling 30 weeks. Students were introduced to visual and introductory programming, followed by robotics. Each cycle builds on the previous one and challenges students to apply what they learned the week before, increasing in difficulty.
Rialto Middle School students engaged in a Sphero robotics activity as part of their STEM curriculum, where programming and computer science skills were put into practice to activate BOLT robots, a STEM robot that empowers students to explore their creativity, coding skills, and inventiveness. In a soccer-style competition, students were challenged to navigate their robots across the mat in a straight line or without veering off course.
For many participating in the activity, it was their first time learning about programming and robotics. While challenging, students enjoyed the activity overall. Sixth grader Jubilee shared that Sphero BOLT robots were a cool experience and what she hopes to take away from the activity.
“I would like to learn more about robotics and engineering,” shared Jubilee. “I like how I was able to control it like my little pet, but it’s not alive.”
Site staff also saw the benefits of Sphero for students’ academic development. “With Sphero, they can code and learn how to play competitive soccer with the BOLT robots, shared Think Together Program Leader Tanisha Finnie, who led the activity. “Students also get to use technology they normally wouldn’t have, like an Apple iPad and the robots.”
Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, has a 20-year-history with Think Together with generous grants of over $700,000 geared toward STEM programming for students in the Inland Empire. Beyond financial contributions, they have participated as guest judges for the California Invention Convention, a statewide competition with more than 20,000 participants and 400 chosen school representatives who earn recognition for their innovative household inventions.
In addition, Edison International has donated $8.5 million in educational grants in 2023. Edison International believes that education has the power to change lives, and places major emphasis on programs of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in middle school, high school, and college levels, including tutoring, scholarships, and college-access programs.
Think Together is proud to partner with Edison International to bring inventive expanded learning opportunities to the students we serve. Follow Think Together on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for more stories.
