For many in this reading audience, childhood experience with robots belonged mainly in science fiction films. The mechanical helpers certainly weren’t part of an everyday lifestyle — and assuredly not part of the classroom day-to-day. Most of us would have been thrilled just to have a television in our classroom, let alone the opportunity to build and program our own robotics.

With forward-thinking curriculums and help from the Fort Thomas Education Foundation, however, Highlands Middle School STEM teacher Brian McDowell is helping to create a progressive 21^st-century world for his students. “We all have ‘smart’ devices in our homes which make our lives easier and solve our problems,” says McDowell. “The robotics class is an introduction to this world.  The first couple of weeks is simple building to create a pull toy, Then, students are introduced to adding sensors, motors and programming. Throughout the class, students create a dancing robot, motion sensor triggered jumping yard signs, color detection and many more.”

It’s this kind of out-side-the-box thinking which the Education Foundation is thrilled to support in the Fort Thomas schools community. It’s also not the first time McDowell has brought his creative approach toward teaching to the FTEF. With his help, Fort Thomas schools have received dinosaur trackways, simulated pre-historic dig sites, bird blinds and even a flight simulator which helps kids simulate soaring above an AI version of Cincinnati.

“Many teachers have ‘what if’ passion projects they are too nervous to reveal,” explains McDowell. “I would encourage any teacher to give the FTEF grant application a try. Maybe the idea doesn’t get funded in the first round, but the Foundation wants you to keep growing your idea for the betterment of our students. I always urge teachers in this district to ask themselves ‘what if I could spend a one, five or ten thousand dollar grant on my students to create an authentic, challenging experience?’ Teachers dream about these sorts of possibilities. Based on my experience, FTEF is happy to help you make those dreams possible.”