My son’s robotics team recently competed and won a regional competition out of 55 teams. It was so exciting to see this little mountain county beat out all the techie teams from the research triangle area and beyond. This is the first time they’ve ever won a competition, and first time to qualify for the World Championship. We have to raise every bit of the money to send this Cinderella team to the ball. Organizational fundraising is focused primarily on competition costs (entrance fee, shipping the robot), and is relying on students and parents to make up any difference for travel, room and board.
Many of these are my current or former students who joined with my encouragement, and are often shuttled to meetings by me. Their situations range from one in foster care, one who is a recent immigrant, and two who live on Mom’s Wal-Mart salary. The last two competitions cost the families about $500 per student, so we are tapped out. I am accepting money directly to be used for student scholarships for students I know have need. The current cost per student is $600 for transportation room and board. This may drop, but students will also need pocket/road money. Please contact me at if you would like to provide some scholarship money to these fledgling engineers. My son has been generously sponsored by a local doctor, so he is all set.
If you would rather donate to the whole team (which will ultimately lower student costs), I’ve provided links below, along with some other interesting information. Please let me know if you do this.
If you would rather find a team in your area to sponsor or mentor, click on the US FIRST Website link below Our team is fully run by local engineers who generously donate their time and expertise.
If you live in the St. Louis area, I encourage to check out the competition. It is a lot of fun, and it will remind you that “the kids are alright.” I may even be able to make the trip.
About the competition and more at the (broken link removed to http://www.usfirst.org/)
Newspaper coverage
Team website including ways to donate to the team
Differences between high school robotics and typical sports
Thanks for your consideration
Kathleen
Many of these are my current or former students who joined with my encouragement, and are often shuttled to meetings by me. Their situations range from one in foster care, one who is a recent immigrant, and two who live on Mom’s Wal-Mart salary. The last two competitions cost the families about $500 per student, so we are tapped out. I am accepting money directly to be used for student scholarships for students I know have need. The current cost per student is $600 for transportation room and board. This may drop, but students will also need pocket/road money. Please contact me at if you would like to provide some scholarship money to these fledgling engineers. My son has been generously sponsored by a local doctor, so he is all set.
If you would rather donate to the whole team (which will ultimately lower student costs), I’ve provided links below, along with some other interesting information. Please let me know if you do this.
If you would rather find a team in your area to sponsor or mentor, click on the US FIRST Website link below Our team is fully run by local engineers who generously donate their time and expertise.
If you live in the St. Louis area, I encourage to check out the competition. It is a lot of fun, and it will remind you that “the kids are alright.” I may even be able to make the trip.
About the competition and more at the (broken link removed to http://www.usfirst.org/)
Newspaper coverage
Team website including ways to donate to the team
Differences between high school robotics and typical sports
Thanks for your consideration
Kathleen
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![[Hearth.com] Okay techies and engineers, I need you to open your wallets](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/156/156555-c4ee17260e1967c3b21e31238eb3c5bc.jpg?hash=SiVd0LZ5_a "[Hearth.com] Okay techies and engineers, I need you to open your wallets")
