Donation Provides Boost to Robotics Club

Walter Lewis, Exeter Information Technology Services and first vice president of the chapter, presented a donation of $1,600 in May to fifth-grade students at Barbara Hawkins Elementary, Miami Gardens, Florida. Chapter members raised the funds to help improve local science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. Craig Uptgow, the school's fifth-grade science teacher, shared how the donation will help expand the recently established robotics club: “In 2014, we had a vision and started our first robotics club. This year, we plan to continue the club and bring in more students.” According to the school's website, it was constructed in a predominantly African-American community. Barbara Hawkins Elementary, originally called North Carol City Elementary, consists of a regular elementary with a gifted program. There are approximately 368 students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade five. Most of the students are economically disadvantaged as evidenced by the fact that 94 percent receive free or reduced-price meals.

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