Spike Transition

School:: Maude Saunders Elementary
Subject:: STEM Education
Teacher:: Sheryl Evans
: Suzanne Autry Meri Mollitor
Students Impacted:: 44
Grade:: K-5
Date:: September 18, 2025

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 44

The impact of this grant will be both immediate and long-term for the 44 K–5 students participating in Lego Club at Maude Saunders Elementary, as well as dozens of students for years to come.

Immediate Impact:
Students have gained hands-on experience using their new SPIKE robotics kits to design, build, and code solutions connected to this year’s FIRST LEGO League Explore theme, “Unearthed: Digging into Discoveries.” Through weekly collaborative sessions, students have:

Applied coding skills
Developed engineering and design-thinking strategies
Strengthened problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
Practiced teamwork, communication, and leadership
Built confidence presenting their ideas

Students have demonstrated measurable growth in STEM competencies through completed robotics missions, functioning coded models, research presentations, and participation in the spring festival hosted at our school.

Long-Term Results:
This investment will create sustainable STEM growth at Maude Saunders Elementary by:

Establishing updated robotics resources that will serve many students for years to come
Increasing student readiness for transition into the competitive FIRST LEGO League Challenge programs
Building a strong K–5 STEM pipeline that fosters innovation and perseverance

We anticipate increased student interest in advanced STEM coursework, improved collaboration skills across grade levels, and stronger student confidence in tackling complex academic challenges.

By funding this project, donors did not simply purchase robotics kits—they are invested in future engineers, problem-solvers, and innovators who will carry these skills into middle school, high school, and eventually into STEM careers.

This grant ensured that our students are not just learning about science and technology, they are actively creating, discovering, and leading through it.

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

The objective of this grant is to support our school’s Lego Club in providing meaningful STEM learning opportunities for 40+ students in grades 1–5 through participation in the FIRST® Lego League Explore program. As FIRST transitions from the WeDo 2.0 robots to the newer SPIKE robotics kits, our students will benefit from a more advanced and engaging coding and building experience that will better prepare them for future STEM challenges.

By securing robotics kits, team shirts, event materials, and resources for collaborative projects, our students will gain hands-on experience in coding, engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork while addressing this year’s challenge, “Unearthed: Digging into Discoveries.” In this theme, teams will explore the past, uncover artifacts, stories, and innovations, and consider how these discoveries can shape the future.

This investment will not only enhance the learning experience for our current participants but will also provide lasting resources for future teams, strengthening our school’s Lego Club program for years to come.

What will be done with my students

Through weekly meetings with dedicated coaches, students will work in teams to research, design, build, and code solutions to real-world problems, while also developing individual projects inspired by their research. These experiences will strengthen their technical and creative skills while also fostering essential life skills including leadership, communication, and collaboration. In April, students will have the opportunity to share their yearlong journey with other Explore teams from across the region at the FIRST Lego League Explore festival which we proudly host here at MSE.

The investment in robotics kits and supporting materials will benefit not only the current 40 students but also future participants in our school’s Lego Club. Additionally, this foundation will prepare our younger Explore students to transition into the more competitive FIRST Lego League Challenge program in 5th grade, giving them the confidence and skills to excel.

By funding this project, you will empower students to embrace the mission of FIRST®: inspiring young people to become science and technology leaders and innovators through mentor-based, hands-on learning experiences grounded in the Core Values of teamwork, discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, and fun.

Benefits to my students

Exposing students to STEM content at the elementary level builds lasting interest and confidence in science and technology. For many, these early experiences directly influence their decision to pursue STEM-related careers. By engaging in this program, our students will develop both the technical expertise and the motivation to succeed in future academic and professional pathways.

Budget Narrative

Item one- • SPIKE Prime Set Combining over 1,100 colorful LEGO® building elements, easy-to-use hardware, and an intuitive drag-and-drop coding language based on Scratch, SPIKE Prime continuously engages students through playful learning activities to think critically and solve complex problems, regardless of their learning level. Large wheels, gear racks, a maker plate for SBCs, large motor and a color sensor are added through the SPIKE Prime Expansion Set.
Item 2 - Teams shirts need for competition
Item 3 - Materials needed to create required presentation board
Item 4 - Shipping and handling for Items 1&3