GoodSearch Is a Good Way to Give

In addition to the Giving Campaign we're currently gearing up, we are always looking for ways to make it easy for you to donate. Now, we've found a simple and no-cost way for you to do so: GoodSearch. It's a search engine powered by Yahoo, and when you select Technically Learning as the nonprofit you're supporting, we receive a small donation with each search you make. Also, the affiliated GoodShop (accessible from the same main page) allows you to earn donations for TL each time you shop online at stores like Amazon, eBay, Staples, Target and Expedia. Basically, with the same purchases and web searches you are doing on a daily basis, you can help Technically Learning raise the funds we need to expand into new classrooms. How easy is that?!

Take a few minutes to explore the GoodSearch site, and make sure to bookmark it as your search page.

It's Like the 2010 Olympics, Except With More Robots

We're gearing up for the annual Microsoft Giving Campaign, where we will be hosting a two-part series called "Robot Olympics." Based on the popular event we hosted with TAF this summer, these Giving Campaign sessions will give Microsoft employees a taste of the programs we facilitate in local schools.

On October 9, Microsoft turns into a high-tech Nottingham Forest as we host the "Archery" event; while there will be no flying arrows, participants will have to design robots that will be able to arrive at designated targets. In "Archery," precision is the name of the game. On October 21, the "Tug of War" event will require brute strength. . . from the robots, that is. In this event, the biggest, baddest robot wins, since it will have to pull its competitor over the starting line using contestants' crafty designs and programming.

These events are only a prelude to our Annual Giving Campaign, which will be in full swing within a few months. All donations made during the Microsoft and Annual Giving Campaign will allow us to develop our program by partnering with new host sites and expand into new classrooms at existing sites. And we're making it easy for you to donate and help shape the lives of children who otherwise might not have good access to the fascinating worlds of science, engineering, technology or math: simply enter an amount and click "Donate" in the box on the right-hand side of this page.

Let the robot games begin!

Technically Learning Partners With Americorps

My name is Natalie Champ, and I am the new Americorps VISTA member of the Technically Learning team. My role in the organization is to help Technically Learning expand their capacity, so that we can continue to partner with existing schools while offering training, support and materials at new sites. I'm thrilled to be joining this team, not the least because I get to build and program robots as part of my training. This was my first experience with LEGO robotics, and I have to admit -- it was challenging! The students who participate in this program certainly will develop critical thinking skills, as I realized that with each subsequent attempt to improve on the model I'd built and the program I'd devised for it, I became more adept at predicting what would happen next. It was inspiring for me, and I've always felt like I had a place in the realm of science and math; imagine how exciting it is for students who traditionally have not been encouraged in STEM fields! Additionally, the mission statement of Technically Learning rings true with my year of service, because the Americorps VISTA program is a service program concerned with ending poverty by partnering with non-profits and enabling them to expand their services to their communities. Since Technically Learning, like Americorps, is concerned with sustainability-- training and supporting teachers, so that they can begin and continue to inspire underrepresented students in STEM fields -- I feel like my work here will have an even greater impact. I look forward to continuing to share with you the exciting developments we're planning.