Members of the St. Joseph’s Catholic High School robotics team will be taking their skills across the world this March Break when they travel to Uganda with Just Cause Education Outreach. Just Cause is a charitable organization that was started in 2011 by St. Joe’s Art Teacher Michelle Massaro and her friend Sarah, that focuses on improving education opportunities in developing nations, with a special emphasis on STEAM education.
Massaro says that 4 students, 2 teachers and one of their robotics mentors will be joining her on the trip where they will spend the break doing many different projects.
Massaro says that through these robotics competitions they are able to teach skills that aren’t taught in the classroom and can also help lead to higher education opportunities for these students.
She says they will also spend some time finishing one of the schools that Just Cause has built, setting up a computer lab as well as visiting a women’s clinic to deliver some much needed supplies.
Grade 11 student Madeline Leslie says that the group is looking forward to meeting all the students who they’ve had the opportunity to engage with over skype the past couple of years.
Leslie says that they are excited to bring the skills that they’ve learned throughout robotics and STEAM education here in Canada to Uganda.
Joining Michelle Massaro and Madeline Leslie on the trip are teachers Kathy Cepo and Lisa Bonelli, students Emma Lee, Lauren Cox, and Sara Etherington and robotics mentor and St. Joe’s alumni Shelby Servant.