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Kenya  

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A Bit of History...

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In the summer of 1998 we stumbled upon a box sitting on the shelf at an educational store with a name of MINDSTORMS Robotics and a website for FIRST LEGO League - FLL (www.firstinspires.org ). Already actively involved with creating new and innovative ways to engage children in problem solving activities at our school, it was an instant fit and our journey into robotics competitions was launched. We knew we had to start a team because of the intrinsic value we saw in the program as an avenue for hands on, project based education.

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We registered two Colorado teams ...there were three teams in the whole state...we were two of those three. For the first four years of competition, we traveled to LEGO Land in California so our kids could compete because Colorado did not hold an official tournament in those beginning years. Now, because of multitudes of volunteers and corporate sponsors there are 250 teams in our home state alone! That first year, there were about 700 teams around America. This year, there will be almost 30,000 teams worldwide.

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In 2011, while he was in the United States, we had the privilege of an introduction to Dr. Peter Keiyoro of Kenya. Dr. Keiyoro is Vice Chairman of a committee established by the Kenyan government with a task of finding solutions for the reform of Kenya education, bringing it into the 21st Century. During a hastily scheduled meeting in Atlanta, we took a MINDSTORM robot, who performed as a true gentleman if I might add, and other LEGO Education products we see as instrumental to helping establish solid STEM/ICT programs for children.

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Within the hour, Dr. Keiyoro said, "WE MUST HAVE THIS IN KENYA!" He asked us to come and I told him that Kathy and I, "...don't know how we'll do it but we will come." Through several meetings that some would call coincidence, a proposal was drafted...an unexpected sponsor solidly onboard, and now we are going to the children and teachers of Kenya! Beginning in 7 pilot schools to launch project based programs using LEGO Education materials, our five year plan seeks to infuse the Kenyan educational frontier with hope and solid tools for a brighter, creative and problem solving based opportunities for the kids.

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This is just the beginning. We would love to have you join the STEM for Kenya team in this safari...a hunt that will capture opportunities for a reformed and dynamic education system for the children of Kenya. Then...hang on...we're on to another country!

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