For 10 years, Carole Harness was a valuable member of the Montgomery City Public Library robotics program, teaching children how to construct, operate and design robotic material.

In the early afternoon of April 5, that run came to an end.

Harness retired as the library’s robotics instructor. She taught classes in three different levels – discovery for ages 3-6, spheros for ages 7-10 and Makey Makey for ages 11 and older.

“We appreciate Carole’s passion, dedication, and leadership in making the MCPL Robotics program a success,” MCPL director Gaylee Harris said. “We wish Carole the best in this new chapter of her life.”

Harness’ last day ended with two students from Montgomery County High School – Carl Smith and Jacob Roesner – throwing a ball wrapped in aluminum foil into a plastic cup with wires at the community room.

“I think she’s a really good host for all of this,” Roesner said. “She’s the one who brought us into this.”

Harness teamed up with Harris and North Carolina State University engineering professor Erik Schettig to make a presentation at the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference on April 4 in St. Louis. The presentation included the importance of robotics in libraries and how it would help children and teens enhance their technology skills.

Harness started the robotics program at MCPL in 2015 to help children and teens in the Montgomery City area become engaged in technology.

“Carole Harness has been the primary integral force in establishing the Robotics program at the Montgomery City Public Library,” Harris said. “Ten years ago, Carole saw the need for robotics in children’s lives and approached the library board and director to start this program. She spent the next several years learning about coding and different robotic equipment while teaching it to children of various age groups. She even took a student team to the Lego First Competition and presented at the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference.”

Harness’ reasoning for bringing the robotics program to the library was simple.

“A high school friend of mine did robotics in Florida, so I wanted to do it also,” said Harness, who also served as a member of the library board. “So I brought it to the Montgomery City Public Library.”