March 23, 2017 – Hartford, WI – Robotics teams in Hartford, West Bend, Germantown and Slinger were among 125 teams across the state to receive a portion of $250,000 in grants to support their Robotics League competition.
Teams eligible for grant awards are made up of high school students in grades nine through 12
that work with a mentor to design, construct, program, and operate a robot that will compete at a robotics event.
Grant funds cover fees, required kits and supplies to participate in robotics competition, travel expenses for eligible team members, and a stipend for the team’s mentor.
The grant support is intended to encourage more student interest in the STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Germantown School District and the Hartford School District each received $2,671, Slinger School District received $1,202, West Bend School District BOTS IQ was awarded $1,736 and West Bend School District – UW-Milwaukee Foundation received $1,602.
State Superintendent Tony Evers praised the robotics program for inspiring students in technical education. “It’s an amazing sight to have kids charging ahead with their learning,” he said.
Robotics League Participation Grants were enacted as part of Wisconsin Act 280 in March of 2016. The
one-time $250,000 grant program for the 2016-17 school year was intended to provide awards of up to $5,000 and
required applicants to secure matching funds equal to the amount requested.
Photos courtesy Jared Kiesow.