The Makerspace at Westgate Elementary is home to a three-year, $65K LEGO Education research grant in cooperation with FIRST Robotics

All teachers and grade levels are eligible to participate. The program is run by our Media Specialist, Shelley Kappeler, who is the Grant Facilitator. Teachers who deliver the curriculum take part in specialized Professional Development to provide the hands-on learning content.

Our program was recently featured by LEGO Education on the company's blog

Currently, Kindergarten and 1st Grade classrooms are participating in FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Discover and the Six Bricks Family Engagement Program.  FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Explore is offered as an after-school program in 2nd & 3rd Grade.  Fourth & 5th Grade students have two options to participate. Students participating in FIRST LEGO League programs investigate a real world problem, research ideas and talk to experts and design a solution.

Westgate is the only elementary school in Pinellas County that runs a competitive robotics team out of its Library Makerspace.