The Fort Calhoun Community Schools Foundation received a new way to learn about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) from Cox Communications.
The company donated 30 Sphero robots to the school district for students in the before and after school program as a thanks for expanding its services into the city in 2022.
Several Cox members were in attendance, as well as members of the Fort Calhoun community and school district: Mayor Mitch Robinson, Deb Sutherland, Alicia Koziol, Katie Knight, John Kelly, Nick Schuler, Drew Wagner, Jerry Green, Melissa Ruge and Don Johnson.
Cox President Mark Greatrex spoke to the group about the donation.
"As we got to know the community and the movers and shakers and the importance of education here, we were introduced to the Fort Calhoun Community Schools Foundation, and got to understand all the good that you do for teachers, staff and for the students," he said. "We learned about the Pioneer Adventure (Club) that helps pre- and post-school care and education, and they have a STEAM program, so we looked at the shopping list and, apparently, the kids in the STEAM program would love some of these spherical robots that you can program."
Green said he was grateful for the donation.
"It's absolutely fantastic," he said. "Not only will it benefit the before and after school kids, but... it will find its way to all of our students. This is just a gift that's really going to get things started for us, and that's what we were looking for."
Johnson said the robots will benefit Pioneer Adventure Club throughout the school year.
"When I think of this donation and (Greatrex) talks about the purpose of what you're doing to spread goodwill among our communities, that's what the foundation is about," he said. "It's to do that and work in cooperation with the school district, which does a fantastic job here in our town. We very much appreciate Cox coming in, jumping in. We'll make sure students benefit from this."
"I would say this is going to impact so many kids and take our education to a different level," Wagner added. "I look forward to just having many kids get ahold of these."
