Amazon Gives 4 Arlington Schools $10,000 Robotics Grants

ARLINGTON, VA -- Four Arlington schools will receive $10,000 robotics grants from Amazon, Arlington County Public Schools announced in a statement Friday morning.

Abingdon, Hoffman-Boston, and Drew elementary schools will receive the grants, as will Kenmore Middle School.

"The Amazon Future Engineer grants fund FIRST robotics program registrations to start a robotics club, $10,000 to expand access to computer science education, and a personal tour of a local Amazon fulfillment center," the statement reads.

The schools are among 100 nationwide to receive the grants.

"First RoboticsFIRST’s mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills to students in grades K-12," the statement reads. "Data from a 5-year longitudinal study of FIRST by Brandeis University shows competitive FIRST robotics programs works for all youth. FIRST students are more likely to major in tech-focused science fields in college and by their second year of college, over 50 percent declare majors in engineering or technology."

Amazon announced last year it had chosen Arlington -- and specifically Crystal City and the surrounding area -- as the location of its second headquarters.

The online retail behemoth claims it will invest $2.5 billion and bringing in 25,000 high-paying jobs to the area, occupying 4 million square feet of office space with the opportunity to expand to 8 million square feet over the next 12 years.

Northern Virginia was one of 20 areas on the e-commerce giant's short list when it was released. But experts had long focused specifically on Crystal City as a likely landing spot due to its proximity to Reagan National Airport, its highly educated and diverse workforce, the fact that most of it is owned by one developer (JBG), and other factors. The fact that Virginia is considered a business-friendly state reportedly also weighed into the decision.