By Miles Flynn | Southern Indiana Business Report
VINCENNES — Elementary students at two Dubois County schools now have access to new learning tools, thanks to a partnership with Vincennes University. Ribbons were cut May 9 on design and innovation studios at Holland Elementary and Northeast Dubois Elementary in Dubois County.
The new facilities are designed to provide opportunities for schools, educators, students and industry to discover new ways to explore design-thinking, problem-solving, technology, and creative skill sets through hands-on experience with additive manufacturing, robotics, coding, engineering and science.
“The main goal,” Vincennes University President Dr. Chuck Johnson told Southern Indiana Business Report, “is to introduce younger students to science, technology, engineering and math concepts through hands-on project learning. By doing so, we hope to engage students in learning more about topics like robotics, computer science, physics, electronics and design.”
Johnson noted the topics also support Vincennes University’s partnerships with Dubois County area employers and schools. Included is Patoka Valley Career Cooperative, where Johnson said Vincennes University offers a variety of workforce-aligned dual enrollment pathways, including the Automation and Robotics Academy (ARA) at the VU Jasper campus.
“The ARA combines work-based learning with courses in fields like automation and mechatronics, leading to a certificate upon completion of high school,” he said. “With that certificate in hand, ARA graduates can accelerate their completion of the associate’s degree that is part of our Career Advancement Partnership with several area employers, which also incorporates an apprenticeship-type work experience, leading to great placement and career opportunities in advanced manufacturing.”
Johnson explained the new studios represent just one of several projects being funded in the region by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.
“In addition to supporting the design and innovation studios, the grant is helping VU to deploy new collaborative robots (cobots) technology at various locations, including our new lab on the VU Jasper campus. VU is working with its partner, the Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) to purchase the equipment, train the instructors, and implement the curriculum,” Johnson said.
A third ribbon cutting is taking place Thursday, May 12, at Perry Central Elementary School in Perry County, and Johnson said it’s Vincennes University’s goal to continue expanding the facilities at other schools in the region later this year and beyond.
“VU is so excited to be able to support these programs,” he said. “Seeing the pure excitement and joy on the students’ faces when they are using the technology and getting it to work as they intended is a special feeling. We look forward to seeing how this program leads to future STEM students and contributors to our economic growth.”