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Unionville‑Chadds Ford expands district support for student robotics; new makerspace in high school open to teams
Summary
District robotics coordinator Nina Drumheller reported 16 sanctioned teams across all six buildings, more than 100 student participants, and a new high‑school makerspace with donated FTC regulation field. The district secured a $5,000 donation from the education foundation for tools and equipment.
District staff on March 10 reported expanded administrative support and new facilities for robotics teams across Unionville‑Chadds Ford.
Nina Drumheller, the district’s robotics coordinator, told the board the district sanctioned 16 teams this school year — 10 FIRST LEGO League teams (elementary) and six FIRST Tech Challenge teams (high school and some middle school students) — with more than 100 student participants and 35 parent volunteers and coaches. Drumheller said each sanctioned team provided a complete roster and volunteer clearances to qualify for district‑sanctioned status and to access district facilities at no charge.
The district opened a new robotics makerspace at the high school, equipped with a collaboration area, maker tables, lockable storage for teams, and an FTC‑regulation practice field donated by a coach. Drumheller said the room was in daily use during competition season, including Saturdays, and that teams of all levels are expected to use it more next year.
Patrick Crater, who introduced the presentation, thanked parent volunteers and local donors and said the education foundation awarded the makerspace a $5,000 grant to add tools and equipment. Drumheller and district staff said the program currently relies on volunteers rather than paid coaches and that the district’s administrative support — including facilities scheduling and communications recognition — was intended to increase accessibility and sustainability for teams across the district.
The board thanked Drumheller and volunteers and accepted the update; no vote was required.
