Gov. Wolf comes to Interboro to push STEM

PROSPECT PARK >> The Interboro School District wrote the right “code” to get a visit from Gov. Tom Wolf Friday afternoon.

The governor got a look at the Interboro Kindergarten Academy’s robotics and STEM program, which has benefited from a $35,000 PAsmart grant. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education is one portion of the education sector Wolf is pushing to prepare students for current and future job opportunities.

“Anything you do, anything that requires a really good understanding of computers and understanding technology is what we’re preparing them for,” said Wolf about the youngest learners at the school. “My PAsmart program has the intent to expand STEM education. A $35,000 grant ... is a small start to ensure that we are adequately invested in the education we need them to have.”

According to district Director of STEM and Professional Learning Mark Avitabile, the district has used the grant to work with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit to provide professional development for the teachers to incorporate technology into their classrooms and the purchasing of KIBO Robots and Cubelet Blue-bots. Kindergarten

students have started to learn about code writing to maneuver those robots. Avitabile said the district is working to fill in the technological gap from the elementary and middle school levels to create more participation in high school technology courses.

Superintendent Bernadette Reiley said the “buc” starts at the Kindergarten Academy and early integration to technology will knock down barriers to future career opportunities.

“We want all students to pursue their interests and develop the skills they need to be successful in the field of computer science,” Reiley said. “The PAsmart grant has energized the school district strategic plan to embed STEM learning in our academic programs.”

Reiley continued, “To see our kindergartners code and program at such a young age is inspiring, and to see them graduate 12 years from now as creative and imaginative thinkers ready to succeed in a STEM career is rewarding.”

To continue the reach of STEM programs in the district, Avitabile said the district is looking to apply for another PAsmart grant for

$120,000.

Before Wolf’s visit, his Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera had his own look at the Kindergarten Academy’s robotics program during a visit to the district in November

2018.

KEVIN TUSTIN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Parker Buckley and Lily Kalbach play with a KIBO robot at the feet of Gov. Tom Wolf during his visit to Interboro Friday.

KEVIN TUSTIN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Kindergarten library/computer and science teacher Noelle Hokanson shows Gov. Tom Wolf the robotics programs her students work on.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Gov. Tom Wolf speaks at the Interboro Kindergarten