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This state-funded program, designed for students in grades TK-8, will serve students through a year-long academy. The program offers innovative learning opportunities in animatronics and eSports, thanks to a partnership with Garner Holt Education Through Imagination. Garner Holt, known for animatronics technology used by industry leaders such as Universal Studios, Disney, and Chuck E. Cheese, will provide students hands-on experience with 3D printing, embroidery & heat press, sound recording, and green screen theater. It will foster student collaboration in coding, animation, and robotics projects, including the Specialized Programmable Animatronic and Robotics Kit for Education (SPARK-E). This is the only industry-standard animatronic designed for K-12 classrooms, allowing students to collaborate on interactive shows. From programming its ten motors to script writing, set design, and more, students engage in hands-on, multidisciplinary activities. This project-based learning approach helps them discover their interests while developing essential 21st-century skills.
The eSports room is equally cutting-edge, featuring 26 gaming stations, nine large-format TVs, and advanced technology.
Kirsten Knapp, DSUSD Director of Expanded Learning Opportunities, emphasized the significance of the partnership: "Garner Holt's unmatched expertise enhances our classrooms by providing equipment, training, and professional development that will inspire and engage students, fostering a more inclusive learning environment.”
For more information on Garner Holt and the ELOP initiative, visit :
www.garnerholteducationthroughimagination.com.