Thorlabs helps spark STEM summer program

Hampton — Thanks to a grant from Thorllabs of Newton, students at McKeown Elementary School in Hampton Township, New Jersey will be given an opportunity to participate in a Robotics and STEM summer camp.
Lauren Alger, a Newton High School graduate and now a McKeown Elementary School teacher, worked with Newton High School Robotics Team Coach James Hofmann to develop a First Lego League robotics and STEM Summer Camp program. They then contacted Alex Cable of Thorlabs.
ThorLabs and Alex Cable’s donation to the McKeown Elementary School have made possible a junior STEM program that shares FIRST Lego League’s mission.
“The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting Mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership," Alger said.
As a dedicated educator, member of the science curriculum committee, and a STEM and Robotics enthusiast, Alger realized the importance of developing students’ science, technology, engineering skills at a young age.
“It is my personal passion and professional goal to create opportunities to develop students’ STEM skills at young age so that every student has the necessary foundational skills to be successful in future STEM related endeavors,” she said.
Alger led a 2nd grade Lego Club at McKeown Elementary School, along with teacher Dan Weissman, for the past three years.
Because of the Thorlabs donation, Alger is able to offer a summer camp program for 3rd and 4th grade students. It’s her goal to create an “Intro to Robotics & STEM” team for Kindergarten and 1st grade students as well as 3rd and 4th grade FLL Jr. Team during the school year.
“My ultimate goal is to develop opportunities for students to participate in STEM and Robotics activities consistently throughout their elementary school years so that every student, regardless of their gender or background, develops firm innovative skills and an internal passion to pursue a future in STEM and Robotics," Alger said. "I am so eternally grateful for the generous donation from Thorlabs that helped me become one step closer to achieving my goal.”