For Kalyn Johnson and Carrie Dunseth, teaching fourth grade at Edison School in Macomb is about more than textbooks and lesson plans. It’s about engaging students in hands-on learning experiences that ignite curiosity and build skills for the future. And nothing has captured their students’ excitement quite like robotics.

Now in its second year, Edison’s robotics program has quickly become an integral part of STEM learning in the district. What started as a small initiative has exploded into a program that now includes more than 100 students from third through fifth grade—a third of the entire school.

When the program first launched, robotics opportunities in Macomb were limited to students who had access to outside programs.  Local STEM experts, 4-H clubs, and WIU professors including Macomb School Board member Dr. Kishor Kapale had been leading a small group of children to regional competitions.  However, their programs could reach only a handful of students each year. Dr. Kapale and Macomb teachers envisioned a program where every student had access to robotics education. They worked with district administration to establish the framework and funding for starting robotics as an after-school activity in Macomb Schools for all interested students.

"When we first introduced robotics at Edison, we didn’t know what the demand would be," Carrie explains. "We thought maybe 15 or 20 kids would sign up. But we had 120 students apply that first year, and that’s when we realized we needed to rethink our approach." The demand was so high that the program had to cap enrollment for third and fourth grade sessions. But rather than turning kids away, Kalyn and Carrie fought to expand resources, ensuring as many students as possible could gain access to hands-on robotics education.

For many students, robotics is their first experience working through complex, multi-step challenges. "My favorite part is seeing students voluntarily stay after school to problem-solve," Kalyn says. "They’re learning that perseverance matters—if something doesn’t work, they figure it out. That’s a skill that goes way beyond robotics."

Each session, students work in teams to code, build, and troubleshoot robotic projects using LEGO robotics kits and iPads. But the focus isn’t just on technology—it’s on critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience. "We always end our sessions by reflecting," Carrie says. "We ask them, ‘What worked? What was a challenge? How did you overcome it?’ Because at the end of the day, robotics isn’t just about making a robot move—it’s about learning how to think through challenges."

While robotics in Macomb Schools is still in its early years, Kalyn and Carrie see it as just the beginning. "The long-term goal is to build this into a full K-12 robotics pipeline," Carrie says. "Right now, our students are starting in second, third, fourth, and fifth grade, but we want them to continue into middle and high school and eventually join competitive robotics teams." That means laying a foundation early—not just for students, but for the teachers leading the program.

"Last year, it was just me, and I quickly realized I needed help," Carrie laughs. "We went to the school board and said, ‘Look, we have a huge demand for robotics, and we need more support.’ That’s how Kalyn joined as a second coach." Now, with more hands-on support, the program can serve even more students, ensuring that every child who wants to explore robotics has the chance to do so.

For Kalyn and Carrie, what makes Edison—and Macomb as a whole—so special is the sense of community. "This is a K-12 district with one high school," Kalyn explains. "That means these kids grow up together—they go through elementary, middle, and high school as one unit, and that builds a really strong sense of connection." And that’s why programs like robotics matter—not just for students interested in STEM, but for kids who might not otherwise find their niche in school.

"There are a lot of students who aren’t interested in traditional extracurriculars like sports or music," Carrie says. "Robotics gives them a place to belong, a team to be part of, and a way to feel successful and valued."

As the program continues to grow, so does the impact. "I love seeing our students get excited about robotics," Kalyn says. "Because whether they realize it or not, they’re learning skills that will help them in high school, in college, and in life. And that’s what makes this work so rewarding."