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Board approves Bosch Community Fund grants to expand classroom robotics, kits and in‑house PD
Summary
The board approved two Bosch Community Fund grants, including a $28,425 request to expand innovation learning kits, robotics (BeBots, Sphero, RVR) and in‑house professional development for K‑12 teachers. The grants fund materials, substitute coverage for PD and stipends to produce lesson plans.
The Craven County Board of Education approved two Bosch Community Fund grants on May 13, including a $28,425 request to continue and expand the district’s Innovation Learning Kit program for K‑12 classrooms.
Grant uses and prior work Sarah Emerick, who presented the grant request, said the district ran a successful pilot last year and has created an online repository of lesson plans and staff training materials. The requested funds would expand kits and robotics availability: BeBots (classroom robots), Sphero Minis at middle schools, RVR units for high schools and additional mats and consumables for existing kits. Emerick said the program includes a two‑day in‑house professional‑development model (elementary day and secondary day) and that the grant budget includes substitute coverage for teachers who attend PD plus stipends for educators to write lessons reflecting higher‑grade coding and engineering design standards.
Budget details Emerick presented a line‑item budget that included purchase of hardware and consumables, stipends for four educators to develop lessons (including recruiting high‑school contributors), and substitute coverage. She said actual subs are budgeted at the maximum allowable amount as a buffer and that some items (consumables, replacement parts) are budgeted to allow kit sustainability across the school year.
Board action A motion to approve the Bosch grant and related budget passed by roll call with all board members recorded as voting yes. Board members asked clarifying questions about acronyms and the in‑house nature of the PD; Emerick confirmed the PD is delivered by district staff and that the grant primarily funds materials, stipends and substitute coverage.
Why it matters The grants aim to expand hands‑on STEM and engineering design instruction across the district, provide teachers with reusable materials and lesson plans, and reduce travel and equipment barriers by placing kits in local schools.
