HELENA — Tuesday morning, the Helena Education Foundation, in partnership with the Boeing Company, unveiled a new robotics initiative for Helena high schools, injecting $100,000 into local STEM programs.
Robotics Gets a Boost in Helena Schools
A $100,000 investment will expand robotics education in Helena, building on existing STEAM programs for younger students.
- Boeing is investing $100,000 in Helena public schools’ STEM, Career and Technical Education, and workforce readiness.
- The funding will provide new robotics equipment and professional development for educators.
- The initiative builds upon existing LEGO STEAM kits used in elementary and middle schools.
- A “Crosstown Robotics Coalition” is being formed through collaboration between Boeing, the Helena Education Foundation, and Helena Public Schools.
Boeing’s investment is designed to create momentum for interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning within Helena Public Schools. “Boeing is helping create momentum for interactive STEAM learning in the Helena Public Schools,” said Becca Leaphart, Executive Director of the Helena Education Foundation. “We’re grateful for our partnership with Boeing, which has enabled us to put engaging tools in the classroom and offer educators high-quality professional development to help them implement these new tools.”
The new robotics equipment isn’t starting from scratch. It’s designed to create a continuous learning pathway, growing with students as they progress from earlier LEGO STEAM kits used in K–8 classrooms. This approach also prioritizes supporting teachers through ongoing professional development.
What kind of impact will this funding have on students? Students directly involved in the robotics program shared their enthusiasm. Bridger Webster explained, “This grant has allowed me to indulge in robotics a lot more because I like learning with robots and techy stuff, which are my kind of things.”
Christian Barker added a perspective on the importance of recognition, stating, “Our robotics class is not the biggest, and it is not the most popular class, but it is cool how we are still recognized and given the chance to advance.”
Attendees at Tuesday’s event were able to see the new technology in action and learn more about the collaborative effort forming the Crosstown Robotics Coalition, bringing together Boeing, the Helena Education Foundation, and Helena Public Schools.
