Governor Walker signed a bill at the Wisconsin regional this year allocating $500,000 in a dollar for dollar match up to 5,000 for robotics teams in the state.
Michigan doesn’t fully fund, it only partially funds robotics. That funding is starting to run out too with promised funds being reduced as teams advanced to the State Champs this year.
Also, Michigan doesn’t recognize robotics as a sport, varsity or otherwise. Individual schools can and many do, but the state doesn’t at this point.
Michigan does view FIRST as a competitive outlet to be used as a Career and Student Technical Organization for Vocational Funding in related areas with approval.
I don’t think Minnesota funds any teams, although our involvement with the MSHSL does come with benefits - many schools now treat FIRST on par with other sports and activities when it comes to recognition, teacher stipends, and logistical support through the athletics/activities director. But that is on a school/district basis, not state wide.
And for declaring robotics a sport, check out Connecticut, Arizona, Missouri, and Texas. They have all been a part of the conference session on that topic in the past year or two.
Oklahoma has funded public school teams the last several years. Not sure what will happen this year, as the education system is facing a huge shortfall in funding (students are marching on the state capital building in protest as I type this).
There are about 30 teams funded by the state at each level of competition.
Recent start-up Teams (1st and 2nd year teams)
FLL –$225 (team registration only)
FTC – up to $500 (team registration and or team operations)
FRC – up to $6,000 (team registration and or team operations)
Veteran Teams (3rd thru 5th year teams)
FLL –$225 (team registration only)
FTC – up to $500 (team registration and or team operations)
FRC – up to $6,000 (team registration and or team operations)
We’re working in Maryland to get HB115 and SB582 passed this year which would provide $250,000 for after school robotics programs. The bill passed in the house and senate, but is waiting for our governors signature. If he doesn’t sign it by the end of the month it will automatically become law, so we’re hopeful!
I didn’t know New Hampshire provided funding/grants for teams… does anyone know more about this? Our team has worked hard to acquire the funding we need, but this would be helpful information to pass on to rookie teams or teams with financial struggles.
Additional clarification…the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), which partners with FIRST to present the State Robotics Competition, is a voluntary, independent non-profit association of schools that neither seeks nor receives any state funding.
Minnesota House Bill 1800 (https://legiscan.com/MN/text/HF1800/2015) (companion of Senate Bill 1864) was introduced in 2015, but failed to pass. It would have provided $200,000 over two years for hands-on engineering programs in “Greater Minnesota” (i.e. areas outside of the Twin Cities and their suburbs). The funds would have been administered by High Tech Kids, which does a fabulous job supporting FLL and FTC programs within the state.
Given the rivalry between Minnesota and our neighbors to the east, I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see the Wisconsin bill spur a renewed effort to provide some state money for MN robotics teams in 2017. With luck (and some lobbying?) any proposed legislation: a) would involve more money, b) would apply to all MN robotic competitions (including FRC), and, c) wouldn’t exclude teams based on geography.
If I recall correctly, the bill initially allocated $500,000 over two years, but the one he signed was a one year, $250,000 grant. I think it was also for any high school robotics competition teams, making it open to FRC, FTC, Vex, BotsIQ, etc.
Ditto. I’ve never heard of NH recognizing robotics as a sport OR providing any funding, however my school does give out varsity letters for certain students who meet the requirements.
I recall one of the politicians saying that there would be funding for any school that wanted to create a team, but I haven’t seen anything beyond that or seen it in action. Never heard about it being considered a sport. It definitely isn’t at Londonderry for 1058 (although it is a well respected club).
Do you have any idea who said this? In NH we seem to have relatively good buy in from our elected officials that FIRST is something worth supporting… it’d be nice to get them to put a portion of State dollars where their mouth is!
Even if it’s not as big as the MI grant, it’d be great to see something to help teams pay registration fees… particularly for the DCMP and CMP (so teams don’t need to opt out for financial reasons… such as 131 this year).
I feel like it was Jeanne Shaheen but I could be wrong. It was a couple of years ago but I honestly don’t remember many details. I haven’t seen if anything came of it.
