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Drs. Rothberg Donate $50,000 to The Country School to Further Coding, Engineering, and Robotics

MADISON, CT - The Country School gratefully accepted a $50,000 gift from Drs. Jonathan and Bonnie Rothberg to encourage the growth of coding, engineering, and robotics in students from as young as three through 8th grade. Jonathan Rothberg, Ph.D., is a scientist and entrepreneur who invented high-speed, “Next-Gen” DNA sequencing, a National Medal of Technology and Innovation awardee, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Bonnie Gould Rothberg, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., is an Oncology Hospitalist in the Oncology Extended Care Clinic at the Smilow Cancer Hospital and earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Cancer Epidemiology. The vision for their gift, according to Dr. Jonathan Rothberg, is to “focus on programming and robotics that will prepare students to lead in a technology-driven future.”

The Country School, a national leader in STEAM education, is proud to join Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, and Choate Rosemary Hall, where the Rothberg Catalyzer is already established. As parents of Country School children (Noah ’13, Elana ’15, Gabby ’23, Jacob ’25), Drs. Rothberg confidently presented their gift to educators committed to delivering cutting-edge curricula.

Their donation is a natural extension of the STEAM work that began here in 2011. Already, PreSchool through 8th Grade students participate in coding, engineering, and robotics as a part of their advanced coursework, extracurricular clubs, or summer enrichment experiences. This gift will allow these programs to flourish and become more comprehensive to inspire other schools.

Founded in 1955, The Country School serves over 200 students in PreSchool-Grade 8 on its 23-acre campus in Madison. The Country School is committed to active, hands-on learning and a vigorous curriculum that engages the whole child. Signature programs such as Elmore Leadership, Public Speaking, STEAM, and Outdoor Education help prepare students for success in secondary school and beyond. Schedule a tour to see our community in action. Learn more at www.thecountryschool.org.