SHARON, Pa. - A STEM program in the Sharon City School district will be expanding to the youngest minds after a grant partnership of over $33,000 with the LEGO Foundation, along with several other local foundations at the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Discover is part of the FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Program will be implemented worldwide for all kindergarten and first grade students as a STEM-based program during the next three years.

The grant will cover materials including yearly classpack sets, at-home kits for over 300 students and professional development training for teachers at the onset of the grant.  

The goal of the program is to develop interest and foster STEM skills in primary aged students through the use of hands-on materials that engage and motivate them.

Additionally, students will use teamwork skills, guided by the FIRST core values, to think creatively and critically to problem solve. Students will also exercise communication skills when holding an open house style event showing off their projects and their plans for it.

The grant was on hold for over a year due to COVID-19 and implementation is now set for March of 2022 and professional development training for teachers will begin in February.

Support for the program was made possible by several foundation including $24,500 from the LEGO Foundation and a total of $8,690 from other local foundation including the Kachulis Family Foundation, the Winner Foundation, the Gurgovits Family Foundation, the Anderson Charitable Foundation and the SVF Betterment of the Valley Fund.