Anyone who’s watched Star Wars knows the robots rolling across the screen, like the beloved R2-D2 and BB-8. Now, Disney’s subsidiary Lucasfilm will help kids actually bring robots to life.
During Lucasfilm’s annual Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, the firm announced it would be donating $1.5 million to FIRST, as reported by TechCrunch.
There haven’t been a lot of details released about what exactly this new partnership entails. But, TechCrunch reported that Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said:
“Star Wars has always inspired young people to look past what is and imagine a world beyond. It is crucial that we pass on the importance of science and technology to young people—they will be the ones who will have to confront the global challenges that lie ahead. To support this effort, Lucasfilm and Disney are teaming up with FIRST to bring learning opportunities and mentorship to the next generation of innovators.”
Founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, FIRST is a nonprofit that aims to get kids involved in STEM through initiatives like robotics. Their mission is to inspire youth by engaging them in STEM mentor-based programs.
