will.i.am’s foundation renews commitment to funding robotics at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
will.i.am has pledged to continue funding robotics at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace through his non-profit foundation i.am. Angel.
Following a visit to the school in 2021, the musician and philanthropist founded his first UK-based robotics programme at the academy. Now, having been so impressed with how the school has used the funding and the impact it has had, he has promised to extend his commitment to supporting robotics classes at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace.
i.am. Angel’s mission is to transform lives through education and opportunity – a mission that the Harris Federation shares. Mainly operating within the US, the foundation supports young people to progress in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) subjects and robotics in particular.
Since the launch of the programme run by First Robotics, students at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace have enjoyed participating in a fantastic range of activities, benefitting from mentors’ expertise and guidance to design robots, learn new skills and see how exciting and fast-developing the field of robotics is.
Their efforts really paid off when, last summer, they had the opportunity to attend a robotics competition. Despite facing tough competition from worldwide champions, Harris students won the tournament – an achievement which would not have been possible without access to the robotics programme and the support they received from mentors.
As a result of the programme, many Harris students have gone on to study Computer Science at university and the academy hopes that now, with renewed funding for robotics classes, more will follow in their footsteps.
Carrie Senior, Principal of Harris City Academy Crystal Palace, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled that will.i.am has decided to continue supporting robotics at our school. Thanks to his generosity, a whole host of opportunities has opened up for our students, many of whom have been inspired to pursue further study and careers in the fields of robotics, computer science and engineering. The programme has been a great success and we very much look forward to it continuing to go from strength to strength.”
So much of what we do at the Harris Federation is down to donor support - without this help we wouldn't be able to offer our young people the inspiring, challenging education that we do. To find out more about supporting Harris email Emily Clarke, our Head of Fundraising, at Emily.Clarke@harrisfederation.org.uk.