HERNDON, Va. — Google is investing more than half a million dollars in Virginia middle schoolers. Google announced a $520,000 grant to expand access to robotics and artificial intelligence education programs across middle schools in the Commonwealth on Monday.
“Today’s grant from Google will help middle school students across Northern Virginia discover the growing importance of robotics and artificial intelligence,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D- VA). “There’s nothing like using fun activities like robotics to unlock the curiosity of young minds and help them learn skills and prepare for jobs of the future.”
The grant means schools will receive support to create new robotics clubs. One of those clubs will soon be at Herndon Middle School, in Fairfax County.
“I am delighted that Herndon Middle School will soon host an after-school robotics club and am grateful to Google and FIRST Robotics for their help in making this happen,” said Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. “When we increase access to after-school STEM activities like this program, we’re preparing students to lead us into futures yet to be imagined and careers that don’t yet exist. Our young people today will create the technologies of tomorrow. We appreciate Google and FIRST Robotics for helping our students expand their horizons during after-school hours – it makes a difference!”
The funding is part of Google's initiative to invest $10 million to help 300,000 middle school students across the country get into robotics and AI. Google's nonprofit arm has been funding robotics clubs since for 13 years. Over that time, the goal of these clubs has evolved.
"When Google.org began funding robotics clubs in 2010, it meant teaching students basic coding and programming," said MJ Henshaw with Google Public Affairs. "Today, it means learning how emerging technology like AI works."
Google is working with For InSpiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Chesapeake to facilitate the programs locally.