Education Grant in Action: VEX Robotics and Vision Sensor Technology
At first glance, a small self-driving robot navigating a classroom floor may not seem like a big deal. But for students enrolled in Computer Science Essentials, the learning happening behind the scenes is anything but small.
Thanks to the forward-thinking of one of our teachers and financial assistance from an OVCEF Education Grant, students are gaining hands-on experience with VEX robotics and vision sensor technology, a critical component of today’s computer science and engineering fields. This grant provides updated vision sensors that allow students to fully participate in a hands-on way.
Real-World Coding, Real-Time Problem Solving
One-third of the Computer Science Essentials course is dedicated to coding self-driving vehicles (SDVs). Students learn how to program these vehicles to move along specific paths, recognize colors and shapes, and make decisions such as turning, stopping, or continuing forward — all based on visual input from a vision sensor.
During a recent class, students focused on the coding portion of this project, running their programs, watching how the vehicle responded, and making adjustments when the outcome wasn’t what they expected. This process of testing, analyzing results, and refining code mirrors how real engineers work in the field.
Understanding How Machines “See”
Through this project, students gain a deeper understanding of how machines interpret visual information. They learn how vision sensors detect colors and shapes and how that data can be used to trigger specific actions. These concepts are foundational in fields such as robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and autonomous transportation.
By working through these challenges, students aren’t just learning how to code — they’re learning how to think critically, troubleshoot problems, and apply logic in meaningful ways.
Why This Grant Matters
The vision sensors funded through this grant are essential to delivering the full curriculum. Without them, a significant portion of the course — including key concepts assessed on the end-of-course exam — would need to be removed. This grant ensures that students have access to the tools they need to succeed academically and explore future STEM pathways.
Investing in the Future
What starts as a small self-driving vehicle in a classroom can lead to careers in engineering, technology, and innovation. OVCEF Education Grants make it possible for students to engage in hands-on, future-focused learning experiences that prepare them for what comes next.
This is what impact looks like — and it’s why we’re proud to support projects like this throughout the Oley Valley School District.
More OVCEF Blog Posts to catch up on
Oley Valley Community Education Foundation (OVCEF) is seeking a full-time community-minded Executive Director to provide leadership and direction for the Foundation’s day-to-day activities while advancing its mission and long-term goals. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, Oley Valley School District, local businesses, community organizations, donors, alumni, educators, and volunteers. A primary focus of the position will be fundraising, donor and community relations, corporate partnerships, communications, and special events. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Board Support Work closely with the Board of Directors to implement the Foundation’s mission, strategic priorities, and annual goals Provide regular updates and reports to the Board Coordinate Board meetings, committees, and Foundation activities as needed Serve as an ambassador and public representative for OVCEF Fundraising & Development Develop and implement annual fundraising strategies and initiatives Cultivate relationships with individual donors, businesses, foundations, alumni, and community partners Identify and pursue corporate sponsorships and major gifts Coordinate annual giving campaigns and other fundraising efforts Research and pursue grant opportunities Develop compelling proposals, sponsorship materials, donor communications, and presentations Maintain strong donor stewardship and ensure timely acknowledgment of contributions Community & Corporate Relations Build and maintain meaningful relationships with local businesses and community organizations Identify opportunities for partnerships that support OVCEF’s mission Represent OVCEF at community, business, and educational events Increase awareness and visibility of the Foundation throughout the Oley Valley community Events & Fundraising Activities Lead and coordinate Foundation fundraising events in collaboration with Board members and volunteers Assist with sponsorships, ticket sales, auctions, raffles, donations, and other revenue-generating activities Recruit and coordinate volunteers Evaluate events and recommend improvements for future initiatives Communications & Marketing Oversee OVCEF’s website, social media, email communications, newsletters, and other public-facing materials Share stories that demonstrate the impact of Foundation-supported programs Promote fundraising campaigns, events, grants, and Foundation accomplishments Maintain a professional and consistent public image for OVCEF Financial & Administrative Responsibilities Assist the Board Treasurer and Board with annual budgeting and financial planning Maintain accurate donor, sponsorship, fundraising, and organizational records Work with the Foundation’s accountant and other professional service providers as needed Ensure activities are conducted in accordance with Board policies and applicable nonprofit requirements Knowledge/Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills Strong organizational and project-management skills Ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, businesses, community members, educators, and volunteers Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the Board of Directors Preferred: Nonprofit fundraising or development experience Experience with corporate sponsorships and grant writing Experience planning fundraising or community events Experience with social media, websites, donor databases, and nonprofit technology Familiarity with the Oley Valley community and/or public education Salary Range: $50K-$60K Classification: Exempt Work Location: Hybrid Benefits: 2 weeks paid vacation; cannot be taken during blackout period Health Insurance Stipend available, if applicable Flexible scheduling options to support work-life balance Compliance with applicable background checks, clearances, confidentiality requirements, and school district access protocols. OVCEF is an equal opportunity employer and will consider qualified applicants without unlawful discrimination. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law. Established in 1996, OVCEF’s mission is to enhance educational opportunities for the students, residents, employees, and alumni of the Oley Valley School District while encouraging community support and participation. Review of applications for this position will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please email resume, cover letter, and any other supporting application materials to oleyvalleycef@gmail.com . Optional documents may include: proof of education/certification, licenses, and letters of recommendation.
For many Oley Valley families, Friday mornings at the library became a favorite part of summer. The Oley Valley Community Library’s free Summer Learning Program gave children and families a chance to laugh, learn, move, create, and try something new each week—all close to home and at no cost. This marked the eighth year that the Oley Valley Community Education Foundation financially supported the program. Throughout the summer, 239 patrons attended, with an average of approximately 30 people participating each week. This year’s programs offered something for nearly every interest. Families explored science, practiced juggling and circus skills, participated in creative movement, enjoyed magic, experimented with STEM kits, made music through bucket drumming, and met some memorable visitors during an amazing presentation from Party Animal Express. No two Friday mornings were quite the same. One week, children might have watched a science experiment or learned a new circus skill. The next, they might have moved to music, enjoyed a magic trick, played a bucket drum, or gotten an up-close look at an animal they had never seen before. Although school was out, learning continued—just in a different way. Summer learning does not always need to look like a classroom lesson. It can happen when a science demonstration sparks a question, when a child gathers the courage to try something new, or when an animal encounter leads to a conversation that continues long after the program ends. Just as importantly, the Summer Learning Program gave local families a fun and engaging activity they could enjoy together without having to travel far or spend money. Opportunities like this make a meaningful difference, especially during the long summer weeks when families are looking for affordable ways to keep children active and curious. OVCEF was proud to support the Summer Learning Program for the eighth consecutive year, and we are grateful to the Oley Valley Community Library for planning the programs, welcoming families each week, and continuing to make learning fun throughout the summer. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun on Friday mornings at the library this summer. We hope your family left with plenty of smiles, a few new memories, and maybe even a new interest or two.
In May, we hosted our second annual OVCEF Alumni Mixer. On paper, it was simple enough: alumni gathering together for an evening of food, conversation, and reconnecting. But somewhere between the handshakes, hugs, and stories that started with, "Do you remember when..." it became obvious that it was really about something else entirely. There is something about growing up in a small town. You may move away. Build a career somewhere else. Raise your children in another community. Years pass. Sometimes decades. But then someone mentions a teacher's name, a Friday night football game, a school play, a field trip, or a memory from the cafeteria, and suddenly you're right back there again. It's funny how quickly that happens. As the evening unfolded, you could see people spotting old friends across the tables and picking up conversations that had simply been paused for a few years — or twenty, or thirty. People weren't talking about job titles or resumes. They were talking about teachers who changed their lives, classmates they hadn't seen in years, and stories they thought only they remembered, only to find everyone else at the table remembered them too. For a few hours, the years in between didn't seem to matter very much. One alumnus summed it up perfectly: "Oley will always feel like home." I don't think they were the only person feeling that way that night. Because maybe that's one of the best things about a community like ours. Home isn't always the place where you live. Sometimes it's the place that helped make you who you are. At OVCEF, we spend a lot of time thinking about the future: scholarships for graduating seniors, education grants that bring new opportunities into classrooms, and community programs that create experiences for students and families. But evenings like the Alumni Mixer serve as an important reminder that our future is built on generations of people who continue believing in this community long after they've walked across the graduation stage. Many of the people helping create opportunities for students today were once students here themselves: The business owners supporting our events. The volunteers giving their time. The parents cheering from the sidelines. Many of them sat in the same classrooms, walked the same hallways, and were encouraged by the same teachers that current students know today. There is something pretty special about that. The Alumni Mixer wasn't really about looking backward. It was about being reminded that communities don't happen by accident. They happen because people continue showing up for them. They happen because people decide that where they came from still matters. They happen because someone who graduated twenty years ago still wants good things for the students walking those same hallways today. As the evening came to an end and conversations slowly wrapped up, it felt less like the end of an event and more like the continuation of a story that has been unfolding here for generations. One group graduates and another takes their place, and somewhere in the middle, a community continues showing up for its schools and its students. To everyone who attended, volunteered, donated raffle items, and helped make the evening possible, thank you! Thank you for the stories, the laughter, and the reminder that some places never really leave you. At OVCEF, our mission has always been to expand opportunities for Oley Valley students and support the surrounding community. Events like the Alumni Mixer remind us that this work isn't only about the next generation. It's also about the generations that came before them and the generations that will come after. And maybe that's exactly what makes Oley Valley feel like home.
