New Robotics Lab Coming Soon

During an era when many some schools are struggling with ways to close the digital divide, in Menlo Park is offering students an opportunity to take their interest in technology to the next level.

In the coming fall semester, the private religious k-8 school at 1211 Arbor Road plans to unveil a brand new lab, which will offer students a chance to learn cutting-edge lessons in science, math, robotics and technology.

The lab will include a set of Apple MacBook laptops, iMac desktop computers and iPad tablets for students, as well as equipment and space to enhance the science and engineering programs, along with the technology and curriculum to instruct robotics lessons.

"We are very excited about the facility upgrade because it will allow our teachers and students to investigate the material and content of science and math at a deeper level," said Principal Tara Rolle.

Rolle said the new lab not only will serve as a supplement to the core instructional programs in place at the school, but will also open new doors toward expanding the opportunities for education.

A new teacher working professionally in the field of robotics will be brought in to head the school's program; and the current teaching staff has taken development courses regarding how to enhance their instruction methods by using the tablets, said Rolle.

According to a school report, the lab could be used to teach a variety of complex technology-based courses such as video game design, computer programming, and aeronautic engineering.

A school-sponsored auction generated a majority of the fundraising necessary to cover the cost of building the new lab, said Rolle. She called the success of the fundraising effort "a testament to the support this program has in our parent and greater community." Rolle said that she believes the chance for students to have hands-on learning experiences with the robots will quickly pique their interest in the subject.

And though student Gavin Westover said he is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the robotics program, his reasoning may be a bit more self-serving.

"I'm excited about robotics because it will take us to a whole new level of learning," he said. "Like we can tell robots to do the stuff we want, like make our beds, our even do our homework."

He said learning lessons about robots now might become important over the course of the coming years.

"Maybe in the future there will be a lot of robots going around," said Westover.

The interest of fellow student Ryan Carney, and his desire to work in the lab, is perhaps more practical.

"We are going to learn all these new things, and be better prepared for high school and college," he said.

Once the lab is completed, Rolle said she believes stands to be recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. Such an honor would make the school the first of its kind among its peers in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and San Jose.

Receiving such recognition would enlist the school amongst the ranks of educational programs promoting the values of Apple products in a scholastic setting.

"We were identified as a school that is a model in terms of how we utilize technology for student learning," said Rolle.

"This recognition alerted us to the possibility that we would qualify as an Apple Distinguished School which we are excited about pursuing."