NTEF and NV Energy Donate STEM Robots to G.A.L.S Las Vegas Charter School

LAS VEGAS - April 12, 2021 - PRLog -- The National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation (NTEF) is helping bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to life for local students. The organization has donated 235 Edison programmable robots to the Girls Athletic Leadership School Las Vegas (GALS). The donation was made possible by a $14,400 grant to NTEF from the NV Energy Foundation.

"Making STEM tools and educational opportunities assessable to all students is a focus of the NV Energy Foundation as it helps create a strong, educated future workforce," said Angel Williams, NV Energy Community Relations Manager. "We are proud to partner with NTEF for the fourth year in a row to provide these innovative robots to students at Title I schools who may not otherwise have an opportunity for hands-on programming education."

GALS Las Vegas opened in 2020 and currently serves grades 6-7. The school will offer grade 8 in the 2021-22 school year. GALS Las Vegas fosters the academic excellence and personal development necessary for every girl to become a powerful advocate for herself and a leader in their community.

"When we decide to sponsor a school, we rely upon the NV Energy Foundation for recommendations of schools that need the 'leg up'. Normally we support schools that are part of the Clark County School District (CCSD). This year, in addition to CCSD schools, GALS was suggested. After speaking with Jennifer McCloskey, the Executive Director of GALS, we decided to sponsor them. Their incorporation of education with health and wellness fits in with the mission of the NTEF," said Angel De Fazio, President of NTEF.

GALS Las Vegas students were recently introduced to the various capabilities of the robots at a special demonstration event. The students interacted with the robots, which were programmed to follow a light, respond to noise/clapping, make musical tones and avoid barriers.

The robots have advancing levels of programming from using pre-programmed bar codes and an icon-based programming to Python, a highly versatile text-based real programming language that is also used in Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest applications.

"This partnership with the NV Energy Foundation and NTEF enables GALS students to gain confidence in programming and robotics, making strides towards closing the gender gap in STEM," said Jennifer McCloskey, founder of GALS Las Vegas.

For more information on this innovative school visit: http://www.GALSLV.Org