The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland is awarding five $500 grants to local schools to help them develop their robotics programs.

The five schools are Kirkland Middle School, Kamiakin Middle Schools, International Community School, Juanita High School and Lake Washington High School.

“Robotics is an important emerging technology, and our hope is that at least a portion of the funds can be used to afford needy students the opportunity to participate in their school’s robotic program,” said Kiwanis Club of Kirkland President Ralph Loveland.

The Robotics programs are designed to help students improve their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas, including mechanical engineering, computer programming, electronics and more.

The recipients of the grants feel it will go far in helping grow the programs while providing fun, new opportunities for the students. One school official said the grant will provide the funds needed to buy a new kit of materials for a robotics competition. All the schools expressed their excitement with being able to move forward with their robotics programs due to these grants.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland contact Matt Gregory, Secretary at (425) 828-0231 or visit http://kirkland.kiwanis.org/.