We are very pleased to announce the implementation of a Kindergarten Robotics Initiative! This endeavor is the result of a partnership between the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Boston and Dr. Marina Umaschi Bers, Professor and Director of the DevTech Research Group at Tufts University. Ten elementary schools have been granted the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Umaschi Bers to integrate a robotics curriculum into their Kindergarten classrooms. We are pleased to tell you that Immaculate Conception School has applied for this initiative and has been selected as a collaborator, beginning with the 2016-2017 school year!
Our Kindergarten teachers will learn how to thoughtfully integrate Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math (STREAM) concepts into their classrooms and how to build robots with KIBO http://kinderlabrobotics.com/kibo/
During the summer, Mrs. Connelly and Mrs. Newman will attend a professional development institute with Dr. Umaschi Bers. At this time these teachers will be exposed to KIBO, provided with access to a wealth of STREAM resources, and learn how to integrate coding into the Kindergarten classroom. Each class will receive a KIBO kit which will remain with our school. The Dr. Umaschi Bers will work directly with IC, training volunteers to support the learning cycle. Our teachers will be invited to continue in the next cycle of collaboration during the summer of 2017-2018.
Dr. Umaschi Bers, notes that “tinkering, creating, and playing are essential activities for young children to engage in particularly as they are developing their cognitive, social, emotional, motor, and communication skills.” IC is thrilled to be embarking on this initiative!