Last week, RePublic Schools hosted the 7th annual Cato Summer Technology Camp. Held at RePublic High School, participants took courses in Robotics, Drone Aviation, TinkerCAD Design/3D Printing, and Robotics Python coding with Makeblock Mbots.
Each year, RePublic Schools hosts The Cato Program, a series of summer camps and year-long clubs that provides any student aged nine to sixteen in Nashville, Tennessee and Jackson, Mississippi access to free Computer Science experiences. The RePublic Cato Clubs provide access to the tools, knowledge, and instruction that will allow students to develop new skills in the fields of computer science and technology.
Over 30 campers from grades 4-9 signed up to take part in the program. While the majority of attendees were current RePublic Schools scholars, several participants were from other schools in Davidson County and surrounding areas. All students took part in each course which culminated in a Shark Tank themed showcase on Friday at the close of camp, where students were asked to present using their chosen technology on the prompt “How could this technology be used to help myself and others?”
While showing off the things that were learned during the camp like programming and flying drones, programming robots, designing and printing 3-D objects and even creating and designing websites, campers also shared how each tool or device could be used to help society.
“What makes Cato so vital to our schools and community is EQUITY IN ACCESS,” said Allison Arth, Director of Computer Science at RePublic Schools. “Our programming builds on the existing computer science curriculum used at all RePublic Schools and expands upon the skills taught in our classrooms during the school year.”
“WE’RE USING THIS TIME TO CONTINUE THE WORK WE STARTED AND MINIMIZE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS.”
Cato Clubs are also open to any and all students within our communities, no matter which school they currently attend. We provide these opportunities free of charge to allow for participation without economic barriers, with more than 90% of scholars eligible for free and reduced lunch and 94% identify as an underrepresented minority. For more information about Cato Clubs, or the RePublic Schools Computer Science curriculum, contact Allison Arth, Director of Computer Science at aarth@republiccharterschools.org.