Rochester, N.Y. — A school in the city is serving up science in a unique way.
The Rochester Academy of Science unveiled its new STEM vending machine, the first of its kind in the community.
Instead of snacks and drinks, the machine dispenses robotics kits, engineering challenges and coding activities.
School leaders said the machine removes barriers to innovation by putting fun and high-quality STEM enrichment directly into the hands of students.
“Maybe there will be some kind of initial disappointment when it’s not cupcakes,” said principal David McBride. “But when they see what’s inside the vending machine, I think they’re going to be excited.”
“We do a lot of hands-on learning, so when our kids get their hands on those kits, when they get to explore, when they get to create, they’re going to be absolutely thrilled,” McBride continued “They are going to forget about the cupcake.”
The school said the machine is part of its new imagineering outpost, which will be adding a LEGO lab in the fall.