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Subcommittee recommends $20,000 computer‑science grant for teacher training and classroom robotics
Summary
The Springfield Public Schools Budget and Finance Subcommittee voted June 16 to recommend that the full school committee approve using $20,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education computer science professional development and devices grant to fund teacher professional development and classroom robotics kits.
The Springfield Public Schools Budget and Finance Subcommittee on June 16 voted to recommend that the full school committee approve the expenditure of $20,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education computer science professional development and devices grant to pay for teacher professional development and classroom robotics kits.
The funds will pay stipends and registration for up to 10 district educators to attend weeklong professional-development courses run by the nonprofit CS for MA and to purchase classroom robotics kits, including Hummingbird kits described in the memo, that are used in kindergarten through grade 5. "Some of them include intro to computer science for elementary, AI for educators," a district presenter said, explaining course offerings. The presenter added that the district is using the grants to buy "the robotics devices that are used in the classrooms" and gave Hummingbird kits as an example.
The district described the training as a train‑the‑trainer model: 10 educators will attend summer sessions and are expected to bring the material back to their schools. The presenter said the subcommittee should expect schools to integrate the returned training into professional learning community time and extended‑day sessions so colleagues can be trained during the school day or after school.
CS for MA will run sessions in multiple locations this summer; the presenter said CS for MA provides lodging for participants who live more than a 45‑minute drive from a training site. The subcommittee was told that the grant will cover attendance costs so that the district can pay staff to participate.
Subcommittee member Miss Gresham moved that the matter be recommended to the full school committee; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call that recorded Miss Gresham and Miss Bruno Naylor voting in favor and Miss Hurst absent. The vote advances the grant expenditure to the full committee for final approval.
The memo and presenters described the grant as supporting the district's ongoing computer‑science initiative, launched several years ago, and aimed at ensuring teachers receive current training so students receive standards‑based computer science instruction.
The subcommittee did not take further action beyond the recommendation; final approval remains with the full school committee.
