​ANNAPOLIS (October 24, 2017) – Students who can't attend class due to illness or injury can still keep up on material, but they often lose the feel of the classroom and contact with their classmates as they do so.

 Anne Arundel County Public Schools' efforts to bridge that divide got another boost today with the sponsorship of a robot by BGE that will allow students to attend class virtually while they recover. The robot, operated from a home computer, uses video conferencing technology to allow a student to travel through the hallways, sit at the lunch table with friends, participate in group assignments, and ask questions to teachers in real time. BGE's sponsorship, facilitated through AACPS' 21^st Century Education Foundation, brings to 13 the total number of robots available to students across the school system. Four of those have been purchased through donations like the one being made by BGE.

"At BGE, one of our primary educational focus areas is innovative technology education and this distance learning robot affords remote students the opportunity to remain connected to their classmates," said Valencia McClure, vice president of governmental and external affairs and corporate relations for BGE. "We are certainly pleased to be able to foster those connections through our partnership with Anne Arundel County Public Schools and the sponsorship of this robot."

Dr. Arlotto and BGE officials got a firsthand look at the robot during a visit to Meade High School today. The robot is developed by Double Robotics, which teams with AACPS' Office of Instructional Technology to train parents, students, teachers, and administrators to use the devices.

"Our quest to Elevate All Students and Eliminate All Gaps is only possible through initiatives such as these," Superintendent George Arlotto said. "We are indebted to BGE for helping us to expand the avenues for all of our students to succeed."