Here's an article out Richmond that I found saddening.
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/new...223208/236489/
JUAN ANTONIO LIZAMA TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: March 20, 2009
Robotics teams feel pinch from recession Budgets have shrunk as some sponsors cut back on their support
James River High School's robotics team lost a major sponsor, JetBlue Airways, this year because of the recession.
"They were an outstanding sponsor for us, but times are tough all around, so they just couldn't afford to sponsor us anymore," said Bob Benway, a physics teacher and coach at the Chesterfield County school. "We've taken some hits from other sponsors as well."
Benway and his team were busy working on the robot yesterday in the crowded pit area at Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center in preparation for the annual FIRST Robotics Competition NASA/VCU Regional today and tomorrow. (FIRST is For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.)
This year, many of the 70 participating high school teams from Virginia, Canada and Brazil are feeling the effects of a weak economy. They have lost school-funded transportation and sponsors. They've cut their budgets, skipped competitions and worked harder to raise money.
Pattie Cook, the Virginia FIRST regional director, said she picked up some new sponsors and lost some in her fundraising for this year's competition.
"A few companies and partners whose budgets were sliced hugely . . . said, 'You know, we need to take a pass this year. We're so sorry,'" she said.
Teams pay a $6,000 registration fee, which includes a kit with parts to build the robots.
Matt Wilson, a physics teacher and coach for the Goochland High School team, said the robotics program's budget shrank to $10,000 from $16,000 last year. So the team did not participate in a second competition and could not build a robot prototype for practice.
"Lots of the smaller companies that we would get a couple of hundred dollars from were not able to contribute this year," he said yesterday at the Siegel Center while team members worked nearby, adjusting a battery running low after a skirmish session. "We may have lost monetary donations, but the level of mentor support has increased this year."
James River High's Benway said a grant from NASA saved the team.
"Without that NASA support this year, I'm not sure we would be on the field right now," he said as he bumped fists with mentor Lloyd O'Hara when the team successfully hooked the robot to the control system.
Budget constraints forced the team to skip a Washington competition about two weeks ago, coaches did not receive their polo shirts and team members had to pay for food.
Even though the team could not do as much as the members wanted to, the important thing is that students are learning about science and engineering, Benway said just before the team rolled the robot for a second inspection.
"I know of no better program in the educational circles that gives as much hands-on work with the state-of-the-art equipment that they have," he said.
The Richmond Community High School team was unsure whether Qimonda, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January, would support the team this year. But FIRST Robotics is one of few programs the company decided to continue funding, said John Siket, who was laid off from Qimonda's memory-chip plant in Henrico County. Siket, who is still looking for a job, continued volunteering with the team.
"We actually were able to spend more time on the robot because we were laid off," he said.
Charles Montgomery, an engineer with Philip Morris, said his supervisor encouraged his volunteering with the Trinity Episcopal School team, which has a $10,000 budget and has not been affected financially so far. But the company has gone through a major reorganization.
"People who are still there are kind of concerned about, 'Gee, do I have time to do this kind of thing and still keep on doing my regular job?'" he said as he guided a student in drilling holes and screwing parts on the robot.
Some teams, on the other hand, are thriving.
Fran Nolen, a physics teacher and coach for the Deep Run High School team in Henrico County, said her team is bigger and has a larger budget, totaling $39,000 this year. Her team was the regional champion and recipient of the Chairman's Award last year.
"We're fortunate to have strong sponsors," she said. "This is our strongest year yet."
Contact Juan Antonio Lizama at (804) 649-6513 or
jlizama@timesdispatch.com .