U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene joins Googles Paco Galanes, Kirkland site lead and engineering director, right, with students working on robotics projects at Finn Hill Middle School in Kirkland, Wash., on Friday. (Google Photo)

Googles philanthropic arm is giving a $500,000 grant to expand access to robotics and artificial intelligence education programs across Washington state middle schools, the company announced Friday.

In partnership with the non-profits Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) and For InSpiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), Google.org said the grant would support 1,234 new or existing robotics clubs in Washington and reach more than 8,900 students over the course of three years.

The announcement came during an event Friday morning at Finn Hill Middle School in Kirkland, Wash., where students put together robots and were introduced to hands-on STEM tools by Google employee volunteers. The Alphabet-owned tech giant has a sizable workforce in Kirkland and the greater Seattle area.

U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) attended the event and said the investment was key to educating future leaders in robotics and AI.

Programs like these give young people the opportunity to innovate, build new skills, and open bright new pathways for their future, DelBene said.

The funding is part of a $10 million initiative launched by Google.org to fund FIRST and RECF in communities where the company has a presence.

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Google giving $500K to expand robotics and AI education programs in Washington state - GeekWire