Raise participation on a small team

[Ari423]

I am looking for anyone's input on how to raise membership for my team. We are a small team of about 7 kids (4 of whom will be graduating this year). We once used to be a combined team with 3 schools in the area, but we are now down to one school who knows little about the team. We barely have enough funding or membership to compete, and desperately need new members.

Despite all of our best efforts (driving the robot around the school, attending pep rallies and activity fairs, etc.), we cannot find lowerclassmen students who are interested and have the time to join the team. My school does not care for STEM extracurriculars, and will not even provide us with the necessities (busses, etc.) given to some of the other school activities (e.g. chess club). They would probably take away our room in the basement if they remembered where it was.

I am asking any members of previously small teams who have done something (anything) to gain new members. Hopefully people have good ideas because I don't know if we will be able to compete next year with 3 members and hardly enough funding. Thanks for any help.