The Casa Coders, a robotics team of local students, received a $1,000 check from the Del Sol Lions Club Feb. 13 at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church.
It was also a 15th anniversary celebration for the Del Sol Lions Club, which helped launch the Casa Coders about a year ago through Casa De Amistad, a Solana Beach nonprofit that offers multiple programs for local students.
“It’s been such a wonderful partnership that we have had over the past year,” said Kristin Salgado, club president.
The Casa Coders started out with seven students and doubled in size over its first year.
Meera Mor, a Carlsbad High School senior and a Casa Coders leader, said the team has taught its coding, building and teamwork skills. The group demonstrated some of what they learned at the ceremony, including the programming skills that allow them to control their robots by remote control.
“It really shows how valuable STEM and robotics are for future generations and how robotics doesn’t just bring technical skills,” Meera said, “but they also make lifelong friendships, know how to present to professionals, meet with people and really gain those lifelong skills that will help them with their careers in the future.”
Jacob Dougherty, a senior at Sage Creek High School, another one of the team’s leaders, said the Casa Coders have quickly progressed over the last year, even participating in a local competition.
“Through all this robotics work, it’s really inspired me to pursue a STEM career in the future,” said Jacob, who has also been part of an effort to give students in Afghanistan virtual coding lessons.
Daniella Beltran, an eighth grader at High Tech High, said she wants to pursue computer science engineering.
“I always loved building legos and I’ve also always loved engineering and robotics, so when this opportunity came to me I took it right away,” Daniella said.
