The grant comes from the Julian-Carver Family Foundation in support of the college’s project entitled “Engagement That Drives Persistence & Credential Completion Through Experiential Learning Robotics Team Participation.”
Bluegrass Community and Technical College has received a $7,900 grant from the Julian-Carver Family Foundation in support of the college’s project, “Engagement That Drives Persistence & Credential Completion Through Experiential Learning Robotics Team Participation.” The grant will allow the college to establish a Robot Gladiator League chapter and form community partnerships with local manufacturers that will benefit the robotics team.
According to an article on Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s website, Dr. Greg Feeney, who serves as the college’s president and CEO, is quoted as saying of the grant, “The generous support from the Julian-Carver Family Foundation is an investment in both our students and the future workforce of Central Kentucky. Through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities like the Robot Gladiator League, we are creating pathways for students to apply their knowledge, build critical technical skills, and persist through to credential completion. This initiative exemplifies how innovation in education can drive student success and meet the evolving needs of industry.”
The grant will support “Engagement That Drives Persistence & Credential Completion Through Experiential Learning Robotics Team Participation” by funding the establishment of a Robot Gladiator League chapter at the college’s Georgetown Campus. The establishment of the robotics team will provide additional hands-on and experiential learning opportunities for students. The initiative will also expand faculty mentorship opportunities, help develop community partnerships with local manufacturers, and help align campus offerings with the needs of the local workforce.
Through their participation in the Robot Gladiator League, students will design and build complete robotics systems for use in competitions, which will provide students with hands-on learning experiences beyond what they would learn in the classroom.
The funding from the Julian-Carver Family Foundation will provide equipment, materials, and practice infrastructure to allow for the college’s participation in the Robot Gladiator League. The Foundation was established in 2018 to support education efforts that will help community college students attain more degrees and certificates.
Jeff Herrin, the college’s Academic Dean and the Principal Investigator for the grant, said, “Experiential learning is one of the most effective ways to engage students and reinforce classroom instruction. The Robot Gladiator League gives students the opportunity to collaborate, problem-solve, and apply technical concepts in a dynamic, competitive environment. This funding ensures we can provide equitable access to the tools, mentorship, and experiences that help students stay engaged and successfully complete their programs.”
For more information about Bluegrass Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.