Kolibri, Robotics & STEM Initiatives

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1692369447755{margin-top: -60px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”11954″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”right”][vc_single_image image=”11955″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”right”][vc_single_image image=”11977″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”right”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Technology in Classrooms” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30px|text_align:center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Books in La Frontera are expensive and rare, even in schools. In 2017 after trials our bilingual school, which serves as a pilot, we began deploy computer based systems of learning to assist teachers, engage students, and reward individual advancement.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1692368754881{margin-top: -30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”The content comes from the non-profit Learning Equality through the Kolibri platform. It is completely offline and uses no internet (which is very unreliable in the Frontera). We deploy a server, router, and tablets for the students to access materials.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”11953″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”right” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://learningequality.org/kolibri/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”What began in just a few schools, grew tremendous interest and our team went from inviting schools to selecting them from submitted requests. Kolibri is now used in a wide variety of modalities and classroom settings. We have established a partnership with the Honduran Department of Education to recognize Kolibri as a helpful tool for education and equipped them to deploy the Kolibri model across the country. Monitoring happens by remotely receiving usage data from our deployed servers.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”We have been able to expand thanks to donations and grants from Learning Equality, the U.S. Embassy in Honduras and even the Inter American Development Bank. In 2021-22 we conducted a pilot in 30 schools across Intibuca to assist at-home and hybrid learning after COVID-19 shutdowns. Since then we have worked with all 17 mayors of Intibuca to support the beneficiary schools outside of our service area, pushing for sustainability with technology and IT support.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”We have expanded the use of Kolibri to support many projects like remedial classes, reading competitions, math Olympics preparation and robotics. We are excited for what the years ahead have in store. For our most up-to-date collaborations, please visit www.CREE.hn” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”11952″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”11950″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_single_image image=”11978″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1692375560847{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space height=”80px”][vc_btn title=”Donate Today!” color=”warning” size=”lg” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shouldertoshoulder.org%2Fdonations%2Fsupport-education%2F”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”4/6″][vc_cta h2=”The problems of our world require disciplined thinkers to provide innovative solutions. What if, however, there is a child living in a remote isolated place like Intibuca, who never receives the foundational support of education? That child may have the potential to reverse global climate change or discover a cure for AIDS. But without a quality education, the potential remains unrealized. We are investing in the children of today to be the problem solvers of tomorrow.” h2_font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:20px|text_align:center|color:%23dd8f1a” h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Arbutus%20Slab%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” txt_align=”center” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”][/vc_cta][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1692375712610{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”11975″ alignment=”right”][vc_single_image image=”11965″ alignment=”right”][vc_single_image image=”11962″ alignment=”right”][vc_single_image image=”11964″ alignment=”right”][vc_single_image image=”11959″ alignment=”right”][vc_single_image image=”11963″ alignment=”right”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/6″][vc_custom_heading text=”Robotics” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30px|text_align:center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Early in 2017, we were approached by FIRST Global International to organize a Honduran Robotics Team and compete at the first-ever, annual, Olympic style, robotics competition in Washington, DC. We chose the team members from high school students in Camasca, Concepcion and San Antonio, Intibuca. These young people, often lacking roads, water, and electricity, have never had such opportunities. But, they know how to meet challenges. We sent teams to Mexico, Dubai, online during COVID-19 and Switzerland for FIRST Global competitions. It has been an amazing undertaking, and these experience opened up doors of opportunity in their lifetimes. Due to sustainability we have sought other robotics programs. Thank you Professor Alan for all of your years in mentorship. To learn more about past challenges and yearly teams, visit our CREE website.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”After our FIRST Global team generated a lot of interest in our communities, we decided to pursue a parallel robotics program which was locally-based and had a higher member capacity. In 2018 a dedicated volunteer, Sandy, began leading a team at our pilot bilingual school and invited other schools to create their own teams. Our communities responded and we held our first regional LEGO competition where 4 teams participated. Then in 2019 6 teams participated. Although the pandemic halted progress in 2020 & 2021, in 2022 we held a 3rd regional competition and we hope to host many more in the years to come.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”Supporting our STEM endeavors, robotics also grew quickly and ignited many sparks for an activity that was not seen in the region, much less in schools. While LEGOs have been hard to source in Honduras, we receive donations from pre-loved blocks in the U.S. Our most recent donations have made it into small and eager hands of kindergarteners. We hope that this tool will continue to grow interest in STEM and its realm of possibilities.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”During the COVID-19 pandemic, we partnered with the government to build a regional center dedicated to STEM. While the process was long, our center is now open to learners and is equipped to support our robotics teams.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:20px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Hind%3A300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHkzGWUVaP4&t=5s&ab_channel=FIRSTGlobalMedia”][vc_single_image image=”11951″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”11960″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”11967″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”If you or someone you know would like to donate LEGOS please contact us by email!” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:40px|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Bad%20Script%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” link=”url:mailto%3Alaura%40shouldertoshoulder.org”][/vc_column][/vc_row]