Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy Selects Teq to Roll Out NAO Humanoid Robots for Its Students

HUNTINGTON STATION, NY and ORANGE, CT--(Marketwired - Mar 13, 2014) - Teq, a leading educational technology and professional development company, today announced that it was selected by Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy (SCHA) to roll out two NAO academic robots for use by its more than 200 students. SCHA is the first Jewish Day School to purchase the NAO humanoid robot.

Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, located in Orange, CT is integrating the NAO robots into its technology program, designed to promote the use of technology as a learning tool and facilitate the development of academic skills. Already, 15 students in the newly-formed after-school robotics club are working with the robot, learning to code and develop critical thinking skills. Next year, the school plans to use the two NAO robots with fourth through eighth grade students, with an enhanced technology curriculum that helps students learn how to code.

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.

"The NAO robot enables our students to fuse the highest level of technology with our core curriculum of Judaic and General Studies," said Rabbi Sheya Hecht, principal, Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy. "The success of our technology program is thanks to the generosity and vision of Morris (OBM) and Shirley Trachten. Morris was, and Shirley continues to be committed to day school education and understands their role in the continuity of Torah and our traditions for future generations. They have always understood that for many, day school education is a choice and that educational excellence is of utmost importance to families making that choice."

"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," said Joe Dixon, Chief Learning Officer for Teq. "Paired with our professional development training, we help teachers make the robot an effective teaching and learning tool."

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 SCHA
Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy is a community school founded by Chabad and open to all Jewish students. The school provides an excellent Judaic and secular education in an atmosphere of warmth and enthusiasm, to help students develop into responsible and capable leaders with an enduring love of Judaism. With this foundation, graduates are well prepared with the skills to continue their education at the institution of their choice. The school recognizes the importance of dedicated faculty and parents working together to imbue students with Torah values, community responsibility, and a love of Israel. SCHA encourages each child to develop as a whole, by building fine character traits and instilling a life-long love of learning.

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 30 education professionals works closely to empower educators, leverage and improve technology integration, and increase student achievement and success in the Common Core curriculum. 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.