In a global landscape where artificial intelligence, robotics and other technological breakthroughs pepper the horizon as a harbinger of things to come, it’s never been more important to be aware of the massive leaps and bounds the world is making. Staying at the forefront of these changes are some great minds, and one day we may count Fort Thomas graduates among them. 

As the head of Fort Thomas Schools’ elementary and middle school robotics programs (which run in two groups from kindergarten to third grade and from fourth grade through eighth grade), Heidi Neltner is not only the digital learning coach for the schools, but is also responsible for bringing students into this next digital age – and beyond. “With the elementary and middle school robotics program, the students explore real-world problems and then use different aspects of programming to help solve them,” explains Neltner. “Then they research and propose solutions to these problems.” 

The students use smaller robots, which essentially are “hubs” to attach motors and devices to, while older students use a bigger hub robot. All are handheld, but they teach the students the capability of how a robot can be constructed and programmed. Each year, a different “problem” is presented for students to solve, from city building or the arts to water systems or underwater exploration. 

 As the field of robotics progresses quickly, the almost ten-year-old robots Neltner’s students were using had grown outdated. She reached out to the FTEF with a $9,498.35 grant to replace her older robots with new models, a request that was happily funded by the Foundation to outfit students with more current technology. Neltner says that the Education Foundation provides students with opportunities to grow that traditional learning might not cover – and helps maintain Fort Thomas schools’ status as a leader in Kentucky education. 

In addition to contributions for the elementary & middle school robotics program, the Foundation has funded several school-specific requests so that all elementary school students have exposure to this technology. Students who find a passion for robotics can then focus their learning and experience as a part of the Highlands High School Bluegrass Crew, the first robotics team in the state of Kentucky. Overall, the foundation has funded more than $71,000 on K-12 robotics programs since 2012.  

“They’re always receptive, even to some of my wild ideas,” laughs Neltner. “When I write a grant, I want the foundation to know that the money they invest in us will do something to help and develop our students. These students might go on to be engineers and one day program their own robots, so to know we are providing them with that foundation…we wouldn’t be able to do that without the FTEF.” 

The only way the FTEF can fund programs like this is because of the generosity of our donors. Please consider a donation to the FTEF to make YOUR IMPACT on our students and their futures.