The reason why Avon Grove School District officials want to make the best decisions possible with regard to future facilities needs was on full display at the March 12 school board meeting when students from the Avon Grove Intermediate School (AGIS) demonstrated some of the work that is currently being done in the schools.

AGIS teachers Sean Murray and Erik Robinson made a presentation about the Avon Grove Intermediate School Robotics Club.

The club includes about two dozen AGIS students who meet twice a week for a total of about three hours to work on robotics projects. The club participates in the First Lego League, primarily against other schools in southeastern Pennsylvania, although some larger competitions include teams from much larger areas of the country.

In the Robotics Club, children begin to learn what they need to become leaders in technology, science, or math. They develop skills like working cooperatively, how to solve problems, how to handle time management and how to utilize computers in the work.

Several fifth- and sixth-graders had the opportunity to tell the school board about how the Robotics Club has helped them learn and grow as students, and several school board members were clearly impressed by the results of the program.

While there is a Robotics Club at AGIS, and students will have the opportunity to work with robotics at the high school, there isn’t currently a Robotics Club at Fred S. Engle Middle School. Murray said that he would like to see a middle school club because that would help Avon Grove students as they prepare for college and their future careers.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Marchese said that the district has had talks about starting a Robotics Club at the Middle School. He said that in order to have the best program possible for students, there should be continuity to the program.

Funding for the Robotics Club comes from a variety of sources, including the school’s PTA, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, and parents of students who are involved with the club.

The school board will meet again on Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.