According to ExplorTech Founder Gary Sullivan,
After a lifetime of teaching, I spot them quickly — the child driven by curiosity, eager to conquer a good challenge. The one who can’t wait to learn, who asks a million questions, and who always comes back.
I’m told I was one of those kids. But I had advantages that my students do not. My parents were both college educated. I had a room full of science toys and books. I attended a big suburban high school where I studied electronics.
Her Eyes Reveal a Passion for her Dream Career
Most of our students attend small rural schools, some districts less than half the size of a suburban elementary school. But I promise you, she desperately wants a technical career! Her parents might not have attended college. Her school might not offer computer or AP courses. She has little access to equipment or a mentor. And the closest STEM camp is way too distant to attend. But, I see the desire in her eyes, and I tell her that!
NTGD Donations Make Robotics Medals Possible!
Our students don’t know limitations. They didn’t know that first-timers shouldn’t be able to place in a regional robotics competition. But they did it-two years in a row! In their very first competition, our Poolville team took bronze medals at the 2018 TCEA Regionals, ahead of over80 teams, most from large districts. And this year, our community team took the bronze at the same competition with their Duplo-building robotic invention. The cost of a community center classroom was totally covered by NTGD donations. And many of our students couldn’t have paid to cover even these moderate costs, so the winning team might not have formed at all! Educators know that students, especially girls, benefit from STEM experiences, and that computer careers will lead job growth opportunities for decades to come!
What can you make possible?
Perhaps, like me, you had advantages growing up. Perhaps like me, you wish that a student’s zip code, gender, and other factors didn’t so severely limit opportunities, but they do. Our medals were made possible by hard working students, but also by community support like yours. This year we’ll host our second regional robotics competition. Unlike other competitions, we allow inexpensive robotics, we offer free teacher training, and there is no entry fee. Our competitions are designed and judged by high school students, so everyone involved benefits! But we need community support, your support, to make it happen!
* Graphic/photo provided by ExplorTech
In ten years, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $240 million into the North Texas community. In 2018, more than $48 million was raised through more than 157,000 gifts benefiting over 2,700 area nonprofits.
On Thursday, September 19, support ExplorTech by linking here and spreading the word. #NTxGivingDay