Middle Country School District in New York Selects Teq to Roll Out Nine NAO Humanoid Robots in Its Elementary Schools

HUNTINGTON, NY and SELDEN, NY and CENTEREACH, NY--(Marketwired - Jun 19, 2014) - Teq, a leading educational technology and professional development company, today announced that it was selected by the Middle Country School District in Selden and Centereach, NY to roll out nine NAO academic robots for use in its eight elementary schools, with its more than 4,035 students.

The Middle Country School District is integrating the NAO robots into its elementary school classrooms to promote the use of technology as a learning tool and to facilitate the development of logical-thinking skills. At its eight elementary schools (Eugene Auer, Hawkins Path, Holbrook Road, Jericho, New Lane, North Coleman Road, Oxhead Road, and Stagecoach) the NAO robot will integrate into the elementary Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curriculum. 

At Middle Country, all elementary school students will learn to code, as they develop into users and designers of technology. In first and second grade classrooms, students will learn how to use drag and drop commands and sequential-thinking skills to direct the robot, e.g. turn around, dance, recite literature and more. In third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms, the NAO robot will be used to continue developing logical thinking and coding skills.

The NAO robot's sensor network includes cameras for facial and object recognition, microphones for voice commands and sound localization, pressure sensors, as well as a voice synthesizer and two high fidelity speakers.

"We are committed to preparing our students for success in an ever changing, technological world. The NAO robots are powerful tools that engage and motivate students, while fostering the development of their critical and logical thinking skills," said Michael Dantona, Director of Core Curriculum in the Middle Country Central School District. "The robots generate enthusiasm for learning and interest in STEM subject matter."

Damian Scarfo, CEO of Teq, added, "With the NAO robot, students build critical logic and problem solving skills while promoting collaboration, communication and out-of-the-box thinking to achieve solutions. And, we help teachers make the robot an effective teaching and learning tool with our professional development program."

Teq's JumpStart NAO program pairs its own brand of professional development services with the NAO robot, delivered by a team of more than 30 educational professionals who work hand in hand with the school to support teacher and administrator roles, providing the framework for a STEM-centered curriculum.

With JumpStart NAO, students are introduced to a wide range of robotics-related fields, including computer science, engineering and physics. It provides a comprehensive hands-on approach that enables educators to quickly become proficient with what the NAO robot has to offer.

About Middle Country Central School District

The Middle Country Central School District is composed of nearly 10,000 students from Selden and Centereach on Long Island. The district website states, "Middle Country is a School District of fine accomplishments and even greater promise for the future. We believe it is our responsibility to foster a learning environment where expectations are high for all students and staff, and where we accept the obligation to empower and inspire all students to apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be creative problem solvers, to achieve personal success, and to contribute responsibly in a diverse and dynamic world." 

About Teq
Dedicated to championing the evolution of the modern classroom, Teq has provided solutions to improve student learning since 1972. Its professional development team of more than 23 education professionals works closely to empower educators, leverage and improve technology integration, and increase student achievement and success. Teq provides clients with a unique blend of experienced service, innovative products, and incomparable support while fostering passion and creativity in the twenty-first century learning environment.