Cook Nuclear Plant Supports Village School

Photo and article submitted by Wendy Baldwin, principal, Village Adventist Elementary School

Mr. Aaron Koleda, Village Adventist Elementary School Technology Director, has a vision for computer science education.  His passion is evident as he works with students to generate excitement and motivation to learn science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM subjects).  Mr. Koleda recently set up an Adopt-A-Classroom website to reach out to the community for support of Computer Science Education Week, which is Dec. 8-12.  His dream was to participate in the national effort for students to learn basic programming skills.

Danielle Burgoyne and Irene Weaver, employees at Cook Nuclear Plant, were searching for a community outreach program, and came across Mr. Koleda’s website.  These ladies are part of the group Women in Nuclear (WIN), and have been selling candy at the plant to raise funds, which would promote STEM subjects.  Danielle and Irene presented to the Village School 5th-8th grade students 5 Sphero robots, which are programmable balls created by Orbotix.  The student response was amazing as they cheered and shouted! 

Mr. Koleda will be using these robots to teach programming to students in grades K-8 the week of Dec. 8, as they participate in the Hour of Code event that is taking place nationwide. This week, across over 150 countries, millions of people and students will try out computer programming for the first time. Anyone can learn to code! The goal is for millions of students to give it a try.

Danielle and Irene also announced that Cook Nuclear has purchased a 3D printer for the technology program.  The 3D printer will arrive in February 2015. 

On behalf of the Village School technology program and our students, thank you Danielle and Irene, WIN, and Cook Nuclear.