Georgia Magazine - January 2020 - 22

GEORGIA'S Energy Outlook

By Ed Barker

Kell Robotics leads efforts to
expand tech education

dvancing technical education in
Georgia is a key to developing a
workforce capable of fueling the
state's growing economy and international
competitiveness. Schools are struggling
to keep pace with the demand for STEM
(science, technology, engineering and
mathematics) and computer science instruction, and after-school efforts, such as
robotics teams, are filling a critical gap by
nurturing student interest in STEM fields.
One such team is Kell Robotics from
Kell High School in Marietta, recipient
of the FIRST Chairman's Award in 2018.
FIRST-For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology-is the
world's largest nonprofit STEM education
organization, supporting students from
kindergarten through 12th grade. FIRST
focuses on inspiring students to take
charge of their education and motivating
them to become productive members of
society. FIRST conducts science-oriented
competitions worldwide.
FIRST recognized Kell Robotics for
the team's long-term efforts to advance
education. Over nine years, the team started 40 new robotics teams across Georgia,
helped dozens more and conducted
320 outreach events to engage students.

The most significant challenge the team faced was finding enough qualified teachers to support the students who wanted to be involved in STEM
education.
Kell Robotics is only the 28th team in FIRST's 30-year history to be
inducted into the FIRST Hall of Fame, and the team is a role model for more
than 615,000 students on 72,000 school teams in more than 100 countries.
Industry leaders increasingly view programs like Kell Robotics as vital
to growing the economy and providing jobs. Marietta-based Cobb EMC,
a leading electric membership cooperative, has supported Kell Robotics
since 2007.
"Kell Robotics is what made me realize that mechanical engineering
was the career for me," says student leader Danielle Newman. "It helped me
learn about tools and parts and prepared me with background knowledge
that will help me succeed in class. It taught me to be a leader."
The number of new undergraduate teachers graduating from Georgia's
universities is at a 25-year low. In 2019, Georgia colleges and universities
produced only 29 math and 10 science teachers for middle and high school
and zero teachers for biology, chemistry, physics, technology, advanced
manufacturing and computer science.*
Recognizing an opportunity, the Kell team started an advocacy
movement that is gaining national interest. The goal is to inspire and
support a new generation of teachers who can nurture student interest in
STEM learning. The team's work in advocating for teachers was the capstone achievement in earning the FIRST Chairman's Award. Team members have been meeting with state and federal legislators and educational
leaders since 2009 to promote the development of a new generation of
STEM teachers.
Kell Robotics' vision is that one day its graduates will become leaders
and teachers who will spread the joy of STEM learning.
Ed Barker is chief mentor for Marietta-based Kell Robotics.

KELL ROBOTICS

Kell Robotics team members
Danielle Newman, center,
and Mackenzie Sicard, back
right, conduct a robotics
workshop for Girl Scouts.
Kell Robotics is partnered
with the Girl Scouts
of Greater Atlanta, which
represents 43,000 Scouts.

* Source: University System of Georgia
Georgia Magazine

January 2020

Georgia Magazine - January 2020

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