Nevada Robotics staff is presenting September 4, 2025 at the 2025 Early Childhood Summit, One Voice, One Future: Nevada’s Commitment to our Youngest Learners at Caesar’s Republic in Stateline, Nevada. The Early Childhood Summit will offer quality professional development on effective practices in the education of Nevada’s youngest students.
Presentation Description
Reading and Robots for Early Childhood Education- Research shows that engaging early learners in hands-on engineering and computer science activities has profound and positive impacts on their literacy and math skill development. Join Nevada Robotics at DRI for a hands-on and engaging session of Books and Bots. Teachers will learn how to code robots using touch coding skills designed for Pre-K and K learners. These screen-free Books and Bots coding activities are tied to storybooks and teach literacy, math, and SEL standards and competencies. Books and Bots activities teach fundamental sequential thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills, and they bring reading and math to life for young learners.
During the workshop, educators will learn to code a small robot, will practice Books and Bots activities, and will discuss robot integration ideas with their peers. Educators will become excited to introduce coding robots to their students and feel increased confidence that they can teach essential computational thinking skills to their students. By the end of the workshop, teachers will be poised to integrate Books and Bots into their classroom teaching and learning practices.
Nevada Robotics offers a free Robot Lending Library in Reno, Elko, and Las Vegas where teachers can borrow robots throughout the year. No experience with computer science, robots, or engineering is necessary to register for this workshop.
Presenter Bios
AJ Long, Nevada Robotics Director and Trainer
AJ Long is a veteran educator and administrator who has dedicated her 30 year career to supporting teachers and students. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and received her Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education. AJ is a licensed K-9 Nevada teacher with a Middle School Math Endorsement. Her passion is helping teachers by meeting them where they are and helping them grow their confidence in teaching robotics, engineering, and computer science.
Jill Strawder-Bubala – Trainer and Curriculum and Communications Manager
Jill Strawder-Bubala is a life-long educator with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism, a Masters of Arts in English Literature, and a Secondary Teaching Certificate. She has worked with children from ages preschool to college as both an educator and administrator. Jill is passionate about helping children of all ages develop strong reading skills to become life-long learners, and about supporting teachers as they learn new skills and competencies.
Michelle Wallace-Gallivan – STEM Trainer and Curriculum Specialist
Michelle spent 28 years in the classroom teaching middle and high school biology, physical science, and chemistry. Over the last 5 years, Michelle has embarked on professional development in STEM education and she is excited to merge this passion as well as her special education background with the robotics curriculum. Michelle is also eager to explore the potential for drone education at the middle and high school levels. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Masters of Science in Education. She leads robotics and drone teacher training across the state and leads drone competitions in Northern and Northeastern Nevada.
To learn more about Nevada Robotics, visit us online, or on socials Facebook, Instagram, and X.
