Kane County Extension highlights robotics, STEM and a $3 million workforce grant

Kane County Extension staff presented an annual update on programs that serve children and families across the county, telling commissioners the county’s robotics and STEM efforts are expanding.

“SWe just began our 9th season of our robotics,” Sanjeet, the county 4‑H program coordinator, said, reporting that 71 youth participated in robotics this year and five county teams advanced to the state tournament; one team later represented Utah in an international robotics competition in Mexico. Extension staff noted STEM Fest drew more than 600 students from Kane County and Fredonia, and that school‑based field trips and after‑school programming continue to grow.

Elizabeth (Kane County Extension) described partnerships that extend programming to libraries and schools and an MOU with the University of Arizona that allows some services to run in Fredonia and parts of the Arizona Strip. She said the extension’s mix of local volunteers, grants and university faculty expertise enables programs ranging from food safety and preservation to youth leadership development.

“We were awarded $3,000,000 over the next 3 years to provide education across the state,” Elizabeth said of a Department of Workforce Services grant that will fund face‑to‑face instruction, online resources and train‑the‑trainer workshops. Staff said local implementation details will be reported back to the commission as the program is rolled out.

Commissioners thanked the extension team for outreach and invited the public to attend upcoming workshops and STEM Fest events.