The second grade gifted program at Poplarville Lower Elementary was recently awarded a robotics grant from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation.

Holly Johnson, second grade gifted teacher at the Lower Elementary, said the $2,000 grant will be used to teach students about java script and computer coding through a robot called Dash and Dot.

Johnson said she applied for the grant in November with the intention to further student interest in technology, computer programming and robotics.

“We are starting out with the second grade gifted students and hope to further it through the grades,” she said.

She said the grant will help fund the equipment, curriculum and support needed for students to begin learning the fundamentals of robotics through programming.

Students in the class will learn about programming that will be used to control the robots, Johnson said.

Students will learn how that programming can be used to enable robots to carry out various tasks.

Johnson believes the course will help students learn about more advanced technology and at the same time help them compete and excel as they go on to college and the work force.

Johnson said this is the first time the school has offered the program, so the staff is excited to teach the students about science, technology, engineering and mathematics through robotics.