December 22, 2021
Carson City,
NV – The Nevada
Department of Education (NDE or Department) today announced a $4 million dollar
investment of American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency
Relief (ARP ESSER) funds to expand access to STEM and robotics programs Statewide.
In partnership with FIRST Nevada, the Department will move closer to its
goal of securing a robotics program in every school that serves K-12 students
in Nevada.
“Providing access
for our students to emerging technologies and STEM programs is essential as we
recover from COVID-19 and redefine education in Nevada, and I recognize
Governor Sisolak and the Interim Finance Committee for investing in this
innovative program,” said Jhone Ebert, State Superintendent of Public
Instruction. “We are excited and grateful to have FIRST Nevada as a forward-thinking
partner in moving us closer to our goal of ensuring each and every Nevada
student is future-ready and globally prepared!”
This project
aligns with the Department’s Statewide Plan for the Improvement of
Pupils (STIP) value of
Access to Quality, as well as its stated goal that “All students graduate
future-ready and globally prepared for postsecondary success and civic life.”
Additionally, it aligns with the Department’s COVID-19 federal relief funding Advancing Equity focus area.
“Inspiring
Nevada’s young people to develop technology-based skills and interests will
ensure not only success for our next generation, but economic vitality for the
future of our State,” said Governor Steve Sisolak. “I commend the Nevada
Department of Education for establishing innovative programs and partnerships
which will provide critical STEM and STEAM opportunities to our students and look
forward to the expansion of FIRST Nevada programs Statewide.”
The mission of FIRST Nevada is
to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders, by engaging
them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and
technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life
capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. FIRST offers
a suite of inclusive, team-based PreK-12 robotics programs to engage students, including FIRST LEGO
League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics
Competition. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, FIRST Nevada programs reached half of
Nevada’s school districts and over 3,000 Nevada students and teachers,
including 270 robotics teams Statewide.
“FIRST Nevada
is thrilled and honored to be selected by the Nevada Department of Education as
a recipient of this impactful investment to provide much needed resources to
our schools and teachers while ensuring equitable access for Nevada’s youth,” said
Angela Quick, FIRST Nevada Executive Director. “We are truly grateful
for this partnership and our aligned vision to provide accessibility to these
exciting hands-on robotics programs that will inspire the next generation of
science and technology leaders.”
This partnership
will help support robotics team retention post-pandemic and enable FIRST Nevada
to increase the number of robotics teams Statewide. Support for public schools
will provide tools, equipment, and resources to offer equitable access for
students and teachers throughout the State.
Students who
participate in FIRST programs are 2.9 times more likely to show interest in
STEM, 2.3 times more likely to be interested in a STEM career, 3.7 times more
likely to be involved in STEM activity, and 2.7 times more likely to show gains
in STEM understanding. In addition, FIRST participants develop skills to become
the innovators of tomorrow, such as improved problem solving skills, conflict
resolution, cooperation, time management, and strengthened communication skills.
Nevada school
leaders are encouraged to reach out to Angela Quick at FIRST Nevada at aquick@firstinspires.org to find out more information about
starting a robotics program at their school.
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ABOUT THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with
Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to
advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las
Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its
mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring
opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the
leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and
30,000 educators.
ABOUT
FIRST NEVADA
FIRST Nevada is
a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting FIRST®
robotics programs and STEAM education initiatives in Nevada. The mission of FIRST® (For Inspiration
and Recognition of Science and Technology) is to inspire young people to become
science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build
science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that
foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication,
and leadership. To learn more about FIRST® visit First
Nevada or First
Inspires.