Education Grant WinnerAllyson Johnson

In Medina Valley ISD, Allyson Johnson brings learning to life through her STEAM classroom, where curiosity is encouraged and students are invited to explore how the world works. Working with learners from PreK through fifth grade, Allyson is driven by a belief that confidence with technology and problem-solving should begin early. She sees young students as natural engineers—full of questions, ideas, and imagination—when given the right tools and opportunities to create.

That belief inspired Mini Movers: Coding with Ozobots, a grant-funded project designed to introduce foundational coding and robotics in joyful, hands-on ways. With support from the Firstmark Foundation, Allyson equipped her classroom with Ozobot Evo robots, allowing students to engage in both screen-free and block-based coding experiences. Younger students guide robots using colorful markers, while older learners progress to digital coding, planning, testing, and refining their ideas as they work. The project weaves together math, science, literacy, and creativity, making coding accessible and exciting for every age level.

The impact reaches hundreds of students across the campus. As they collaborate, troubleshoot, and celebrate small victories, students begin to see themselves as capable creators and confident problem-solvers. Mini Movers doesn’t just teach coding—it builds perseverance, teamwork, and a sense of possibility, laying an early foundation for future exploration in STEAM and beyond.