TechREACH, a program of the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (PSCTLT) has received a $7,500 Google RISE (Roots in Science and Engineering) Award.
PSCTLT Newsletter - Lynnwood, WA - May 19, 2009

This is the first year of the Google RISE awards and 30 organizations across the United States received funding. PSCTLT's one-year grant, TechREACH: Delivering Innovative Technology Experiences for Underrepresented Youth, provides funding for the development of a two-week summer technology workshop on robotics for King County youth. The workshop is designed for middle school students. Middle school is the critical time to promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), because 12-14 year-olds are still open to the idea they can excel in these areas.

Through the Google RISE award, approximately 30 students from two King County middle schools will learn the basics of programming logic and robot assembly as they work with LEGO Mindstorms Robotics kits. Students will build a rover robot with motors that are controlled by touch sensors to avoid obstacles. Ultimately students will program their robot to compete in a challenge. Teachers will be trained to offer robotics curriculum, on strategies to support underrepresented students in STEM, and career and higher education resources to motivate students to pursue STEM fields.

"We are grateful to Google for their support in helping develop future workers in the field of science, technology, and engineering. Our youth have the capacity to be future leaders in these fields - they need access to experiences that excite their interest in these fields," said Karen Manuel, TechREACH Director. "Youth and teachers will experience hands-on robotics curriculum that builds their interest in how technology and engineering can solve everyday problems."

TechREACH addresses President Obama's call for underrepresented youth to have equitable educational experiences. He states, "We need after-school programs and summer-school programs because minority youth and poor youth are less likely to get the kind of environment and supplemental activities that they need" (January 15, 2008).