"Bots" purchased with funds from MCFF grant
McCOOK, Neb. — Fourth and fifth graders at Central Elementary’s Crackerjack program put their math and science skills to the test using tiny robots called “ozzobots.”
The students designed a city and moved their lighted-up “bots” along the pathways, using a code they develped using colors.
The program was presented by Michele Weimer, a volunteer with “The Thinkery” in McCook. The bots were purchased by funds donated by the McCook Coumminity Foundation and will be used for a community-wide activity for elementary-aged children, she said, who envsions a possible Lego-robotic club for children in the future.
The kids loved using tiny “robots” to reinforce math skills, said Dawn Diederich, fifth grade teacher at Central, who coordinates the Crackerjack program at the school along with Caitlin Winkler, also a fifth grade teacher at Central.
Some studies have pointed to a “confidence gap” in girls, where they inherently feel they are not good at math and STEM activities, starting as young as first grade.
Diederick confirmed that this project was a great way to promote STEM activities to girls and “to build their confidence,” hopefully keeping that confidence in math and science through their high school years.
But at Central, boys and girls alike had no problem sharing their enthusiasm for the project, drawing and re-drawing black lines on their “city” for the bots to travel and checking their code books.
Also assisting in this project were McCook High School students involved with the after-school technology club, who help with technology issues at the high school.
Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month
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To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.
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Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.
