The Rim of the World Unified School District is taking a leap forward in STEM education. At the May 15, 2025 board meeting, Trustees approved a $48,000 investment in the UC Davis C-STEM Program, a nationally recognized initiative that uses coding and robotics to transform how students learn math and computer science.
Generously supported by funding from the Rim of the World Educational Foundation, this move aims to close achievement gaps, boost college and career readiness, and better equip students with 21st-century problem-solving skills.
What Is the UC Davis C-STEM Program?
C-STEM, short for Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is more than just a robotics curriculum. It’s a research-based, equity-driven educational framework developed by the UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education. The program is grounded in a simple but powerful philosophy:
“Formal computer science education can, and should, be embedded in math instruction for all K-12 students.”
By integrating robotics and computer programming into everyday math classes, C-STEM helps students see the real-world relevance of what they’re learning. The program especially focuses on students who have been traditionally underrepresented in computing and STEM-related careers.
What’s Included in ROWUSD’s C-STEM Expansion?
The $48,000 allocation covers a comprehensive rollout across Rim schools for the 2025–2026 school year, including:
Annual Program Subscription
A district-wide license provides access to C-STEM’s full suite of curriculum, assessments, software tools, and educator communities.
On-Site Teacher Training
Fifteen Rim educators will participate in a 4-day hands-on workshop led by UC Davis C-STEM instructors. This professional development ensures staff are equipped to teach coding, robotics, and applied math in engaging, standards-aligned ways.
Robotics & Classroom Tools
ROWUSD also partnered with Barobo, Inc. to supply the tools that bring this curriculum to life:
- Eight (8) Linkbot Bundles & OmniBot Packs for hands-on robot programming
- Activity Mats to simulate real-world navigation and problem-solving
- 470 student licenses for the RoboBlocky platform, C-STEM’s visual coding interface
Why This Matters for Our Mountain Community
In rural and remote areas like ours, expanding access to high-quality STEM education isn’t just about curriculum, it’s about equity. Many Rim students face geographic and economic barriers to tech opportunities. C-STEM breaks down those walls by embedding opportunities in the school day and ensuring all students, regardless of background, can build skills in:
- Robotics & automation
- Coding & logical thinking
- Math fluency through applied learning
- Career-aligned problem-solving
What’s Next?
Implementation will begin this fall, with participating teachers integrating C-STEM courses into both core math classes and exploratory offerings. Community members are encouraged to follow the progress, attend demonstrations, and celebrate student showcases as the program grows.
“This is about giving our students the chance to explore, design, and lead, in the classroom and beyond.”
Board Action
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved this item at the May 15, 2025 Board Meeting in Open Session. This work will support the following District Goals:
1 – Student Learning
2 – College and Career Readiness
3 – Highly Qualified Staff