A fundraiser for a Robotics Program at Ecole Okotoks Junior High was a success.

The first ever EOJH Winter Market Held Nov. 30 featured 32 vendors, live music performances, yoga and drum circle demonstrations.

Naydene Lewis, Chair of School Council and Chair for the Okotoks Ocelots Fundraising Society, says they've made a good dent in their $2,500 goal.

"The estimated total for now is just around $800 for our fundraising efforts. That was based on table rentals, our chocolate sales because we're still doing Purdy's Chocolate bars, we had a 50/50 draw and little stocking stuffers for people to purchase at low cost."

Lewis shares a robotics program at the junior high level is an introduction into the science side of technology, and can open doors for students to enter into a growing industry.

"In doing research into funding I've learned that students may not realize what's going on in their brain while they're learning about robotics, whether it's the programming, the design, what works, what doesn't work, why isn't it working?"

A base level education in robotics will allow students to enter a high school program, and even head to SAIT to pursue a career.

Next up EOJH will host a fundraiser at The Canadian Brewhouse Feb. 14, geared towards technology and arts programming.

Lewis says until then she's hoping a sponsor will come forward.

"We're hoping in the meantime we can find a sponsor for the robotics club, somebody who's in the foothills who has a genuine interest in making sure these kids learn something about physics, engineering and design."

Lewis says she'd like to thank all of the partners and sponsors for dedicating their time and energy the EOJH Winter Market.

"We'd like to thank our administration team at the school, the teachers who stepped up and performed for us and stood by their students and helped them out, the Dewdney Players, our vendors for purchasing tables, our Santa Ken who stepped up at the last minute to help us out. We'd like to thank the Eagle 100.9 for promoting us, that was a huge deal for us, and we're forever grateful. We would also like to acknowledge the community group who gave up their night in the gym so that we could have our night in the gym. As well as Gypsy Souls Yoga and the Sheep River Drum circle for volunteering their time to come in and demo for us."

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