Kilmer students practice coding with Discover Card, United Way volunteers

Fourth graders at Kilmer Elementary School learned about coding with Ozobots, or mini robots, with help from Discover Financial Services and United Way volunteers. The students and volunteers worked together to learn about the robots and give directions to the robots so they would, in turn, move around in certain patterns and at different speeds.

"It is essential for our students to engage with this type of technology to advance their learning and develop an understand of coding and robotics," said Kilmer Principal Diana O'Donnell. "We greatly appreciate our partnership with Discover Financial Services and United Way Chicago to assist in our ability to bridge student learning with real world application."

More than 15 volunteers from Discover Card Financial Services and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago spent the afternoon at Kilmer working alongside the students. Discover and United Way generously donated twelve Ozobot kits to the school that students will be able to continue to work with throughout the year. Ozobots follow pathways that are drawn on paper and respond to different commands depending on the color ink used to draw the path. Students can direct the Ozobot to respond in different ways, like move faster, spin around, or turn side to side.

Working with Ozobots is just one of many ways that Community Consolidated School District 21 students are exposed to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). STEAM activities, like working with Ozobots, promote critical thinking and problem solving skills, creativity, and teamwork.