Nine Montgomery Blair High School students have spent their August weekends teaching free virtual STEM classes to children across Montgomery County through the Blair Robot Project, the school’s robotics team.
A total of 45 K-12 students enrolled in four weekly courses taught by members of the team: CAD Basics, an introduction to computer-aided design; Algebra 1 Bootcamp, designed to prepare incoming students for the course; Python PROgramming; and Scratch Simplified, which introduces younger students to block-based coding.
The Blair Robot Project has offered free STEM classes for six years. Sessions are typically held in person, but this summer’s program moved online due to ongoing construction and roof repairs at Montgomery Blair. “Our team offers no-barrier education so students in our community feel ready to take more steps in STEM, and even to consider a STEM career,” said a rising junior who teaches and serves as the team’s business co-lead.
A rising sophomore participating as an instructor said she volunteers “to inspire the next generation of innovators and help create positive change in the world of STEM.”Registration for this summer’s classes has closed, but families can join the team’s mailing list for information about future free classes and events. Upcoming activities include Blair Bunnybots, an original robotics competition developed by the team and made available at no cost for other teams across the country to organize.
Known officially as FRC Team 449, the Blair Robot Project is a student-led and mentor-guided robotics and STEM outreach organization. The team is the two-time defending champion of the FIRST Chesapeake Division and is supported by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, the Montgomery Blair High School Magnet Foundation and other local partners.
