Rural Robotics

My students are part of a small rural school (225 students) that is the only school in a 718 square mile district. One-fourth of our school population lives in town, while the remaining 75% live in the surrounding 717 square miles. Because so many students live out of town, their Internet and other technology access is limited to rural access - which is not much better than dial-up. Therefore, the school has begun a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program to help the students prepare for life after high-school. The students have begun to embrace the STEM ideology, and many have expressed a desire to continue their STEM education in a competitive after-school program.

We are in need of funding to start a competitive robotics club.  The organization that is most prevalent in Montana is the FIRST program - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.  This program is not only about competition, it also stresses Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition (no it's not a typo). There is a set of core values that students follow while working as a team and while cooperating with other teams. 

Our students will be members of both the First Lego League, which targets students in grades 4 - 8, and the First Tech Challenge which is for high school students.  The other day, when I was trying to elicit names for the teams, I casually asked - how many of you want to be a part of this.  The number of hands that went up amazed me - and I realized how hungry my students are for something like this.  I - and especially they - will recognize and appreciate your contributions with all of their hearts.  Please consider donating to this worthy cause.

If you'd like to read more about FIRST go to https://www.firstinspires.org/  and check out the links.  Below is an itemized list of what we plan to buy with your generous donations.  I'm sure I've left something off of the list - but we'll tackle that later, if it comes up.  

Breakdown:  Middle School Robotics Program, using First Lego League Materials (2 sets)

Item                                  Unit Cost          Total Cost for 2 sets
Team Registration         225.00                      450.00
LEGO EV3 Robot Kit  469.95                      939.90
FLL Challenge Kit             75.00                      150.00
Additional Sensors         100.00                     200.00
Materials for annual project and Core Values Boards
                                                   100.00                      200.00
Materials for building the game field table & sawhorses
                                                    120.00                      120. 00
Total for 2 Middle School Teams                     1859.90
 

Breakdown:  High School Robotics Program, using Tetrix Materials for First Tech Challenge

Item                                         Unit Cost      Total Cost for 2 sets
Team Registration               275.00                     550.00
Control & Communication Set
                                                      265.00                       530.00
Electronics Modules and Sensors Set
                                                       150.00                        300.00
Tetrix FTC Competition Set
                                                        580.00                       1160.00
Perimeter Field Kit              600.00                        600.00
Total for 2 High School Teams                              3140.00