The New Hampshire Department of Education has announced that it will be awarding a total of $713,601 to 77 schools in the state to fund robotics programs for their students. The grants are aimed at expanding existing robotics programs, as well as establishing new programs for schools that have not yet launched robotics teams.
The initiative is intended to motivate students in public and charter schools to pursue STEM careers while also building critical life and work-related skills. Frank Edelblut, the education commissioner, expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “Not only will this initiative motivate public and charter school students to potentially pursue careers in STEM, but it will also help build critical life and work-related skills – all while students are having fun and connecting with their teammates.”
The grants will be used to purchase robotics kits, parts, and tools, as well as cover registration fees, competition fees, transportation to events, team shirts, and stipends for coaches or advisors. The amount of funding awarded to each school will vary depending on their specific needs, with grants ranging from $2,000 to $14,850 per school.
In addition to supporting robotics programs, some grants will also be used to launch drone programs in select schools. For example, Cooperative Middle School in the Exeter Region Cooperative School District will be implementing a CoDrones program for students interested in participating in the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation’s Aerial Drone Competition. This program aims to provide students with a hands-on, student-centered learning experience that focuses on programming, drones, flight principles, and communication skills.
Another school district, Pittsburg School District, plans to introduce a comprehensive robotics experience that merges coding, technology, and creativity. Through the CoderZ curriculum, students will engage in hands-on projects that foster a deep understanding of robotics design, coding principles, and problem-solving, serving as a gateway for them to explore STEM subjects in a practical and engaging way.
The grant funding will support programs such as CoderZ, VEX Robotics, FIRST Robotics, and drone content, providing students with a wide range of opportunities to engage with STEM education.
Sources:
– New Hampshire Department of Education
– Cooperative Middle School, Exeter Region Cooperative School District grant proposal
– Pittsburg School District grant proposal