Rhode Island Students of the Future is offering a professional development course for teachers, informal educators and parents interested in using the LEGO EV3 robotics system to engage children in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

This course is for adults, 18 and older, and provides an opportunity to learn how to build and program LEGO robots, and how to develop hands-on educational challenges to use in classrooms, after-school programs or with robotics teams. The beginner level course is July 31 to August 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gordon School in East Providence. The fee to register for the beginner course is $300. An intermediate course for those with some experience with the LEGO EV3 system will be held August 2 and 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., also at Gordon School. The fee for the intermediate course is $200. (Students may register for both for $400.) Thanks to the support of the Verizon Foundation, National Grid, NE FIRST, Zebra Technologies and the Textron Charitable Trust, tuition assistance is available for those demonstrating financial need. Equipment is provided. Advanced registration is required.

For more information, visit the Rhode Island Students of the Future website at www.risf.net, or email Mary Johnson at mary.johnson@risf.net.

Rhode Island Students of the Future (RISF) is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote STEAM learning through robotics. The organization supports teachers and informal educators who use the LEGO robotics system to engage children in hands-on learning, and manages the popular FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO League Jr. robotics programs for elementary and middle school-aged students. www.risf.net