[EricH]

1) How do you win over students at the school?

Get the robot out as much as the administration will let you. Just for nerds? Nope. Find a basketball or soccer player who seems interested, then have him/her try a human player task (or play soccer with the robot). The "non-nerd" has fun with the robot, and everybody sees that robotics is not just for nerds.

2) Funding. See above posts, but here's some more advice.

• You don't have to ask for much. Coupons to a local eatery that you can sell/raffle are just as good as money, for example.
• See if grandparents will help you out. Ask 234 for ideas on how to approach them.
• Don't limit requests to money. Fundraising night at a local restaurant, coupons, items for another fundraiser, food during build, and other similar things can really help.
• Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, VFW, AMVETS, and other community-based organizations could help you with ideas, fundraisers, or maybe even funding. Never hurts to ask them.